Newhall Mansion 829 Park Street • Piru • CA 93040

Despite its decades-long popularity as a location for film and TV shoots, you’ve probably never heard of Piru before. Yet the quiet agricultural community on the Eastern fringe of scenic Heritage Valley is a mere 10 minutes from Valencia’s Magic Mountain. The town is emerging from its relative obscurity, however, thanks to the spectacular renovation of its crown jewel, Newhall Mansion. This enchanting Queen Anne-style hilltop residence, set on nine landscaped acres, was originally built in 1890 by Piru’s founder, publishing magnate David C. Cook, as a gift for his wife. The ensuing years saw a series of owners, a fire and two earthquakes, until at last the mansion was rescued in 2013. The current proprietors have completely transformed the Ventura County landmark, adding modern amenities, lush gardens and exquisite décor that accentuates its vintage glamour.

Passing through the mansion’s imposing wrought-iron gates, you’re greeted by a citrus grove flanking a long, rose-lined promenade. Next comes the Park, a lovely hedged lawn in front of the mansion with a splashing fountain and panoramic mountain view. The estate’s fairy-tale façade, featuring wraparound verandas, intricate scrollwork and a stone tower, makes a grand backdrop for exchanging vows.

A stroll to the backyard reveals a tiled Courtyard that’s a delightful locale for dining and dancing under the stars. Extras include a fire pit, a swimming pool with white cabanas, and an old-fashioned pagoda to showcase the wedding cake, sweetheart table or bar. Specialty lighting throughout the grounds adds to the evening’s magic. The terraced gardens and rolling lawns that overlook the Courtyard hold more wedding options. An illuminated stairway makes a dramatic wedding aisle, and the couple exchanges vows in front of a twinkle-lit arch. Groves of olive, pomegranate, apricot and fig trees form a leafy background, a legacy of David Cook’s "Second Garden of Eden". In the tranquil twilight, the romantic milieu does seem a lot like paradise.

The best way to indulge in all the mansion’s luxuries is to spend the weekend, which also lets you expand your event into the breathtaking 12,000-square-foot interior. Each room is lavished with period details, antiques and artistic restorations. The Ballroom’s magnificent stained-glass transom frames a glorious view, and is a favorite spot for bridal portraits. The Dining Room, with its stunning coffered ceiling, and the stately fire-lit Library offer classic Victorian elegance. And the new Bridal Hospitality Suite on the top floor provides 3,000 square feet of seclusion and queenly comforts.

The mansion’s most imaginative entertainment option is the Tavern, an underground man-cave whose circular stone entryway recalls a Gothic castle. A series of brick-walled salons radiate an aura of mystery, and a giant flat-screen TV, custom redwood bar and cool stylings make the Tavern a novel setting for a cocktail reception, bachelor party or rehearsal dinner. A hidden bedroom will have you feeling like characters in a romance novel. Seven sumptuous bedrooms in the main house boast a collective assortment of deluxe treats: a fireplace, an extravagant stone shower with carved mermaids, a wooden Jacuzzi and a huge stained-glass oriel window.

Newhall Mansion welcomes you to celebrate in complete privacy amid nostalgic opulence, all while surrounded by nature. Not only has this historic charmer put Piru on the map—it’s also a treasure of a wedding venue.