The Portofino Hotel and Marina 260 Portofino Way • Redondo Beach • California 90277

If Redondo Beach, with its sunshine, balmy ocean breezes, and coastal luxury epitomizes the Southern California lifestyle, then the Portofino Hotel & Marina is the perfect place to enjoy it. Set on a lush private peninsula and offering impeccable, personalized service and exceptional cuisine, guests are able to relax, let loose, and embrace the full destination wedding experience.

The venue has the unassuming intimacy of a boutique hotel, and its casual, nautical-chic ambiance makes you feel immediately at home—if your home happens to have a three-story atrium with astounding ocean views. The inviting lobby soaring, multipaned windows overlook King Harbor, where kayaks and yachts regularly make their way out to sea. There’s no sign of land, only rippling sapphire-blue water, so you have the impression of floating on a private, luxury yacht at sea. It’s a remarkably soothing vision, and between the soft jazz playing on the sound system and the cocktail you’re served from the bar tucked discreetly in one corner, you might want to lounge in the comfortable Living Room chairs indefinitely.

But there’s a celebration afoot, beginning with a quintessential Southern California ceremony on the Seaside Lawn. It’s surprising how many guests this intimate area can accommodate, but up to 200 of your friends and family can watch you exchange vows under an archway or gazebo with the water as the backdrop and the refreshing scent of sea spray in the air.

A short stroll takes you to the Pavilion, a crisp contemporary building with two distinctive ballrooms for receptions—both boasting unobstructed views of the sparkling sea. The Bayside Ballroom features floor-to-ceiling windows that take in the action of the lagoon and the cityscape beyond, while next door in the sophisticated Pacific Ballroom, guests might flow onto the terrace for cocktails overlooking the ocean. At night, the twinkling stars and the lights of the Palos Verdes Peninsula cast a dreamy shimmer on the water.

No wedding weekend is complete without a rehearsal dinner or farewell brunch. Opt for the airy, stylish BALEENkitchen for fresh, locally sourced seafood, which can be enjoyed on the al fresco terrace or one of the plush, fireside couches. For something a little different, book a marina boat for an on-the-water dining experience. At night, you and your guests can retreat to your plush, waterfront guest rooms, each impeccably appointed with luxurious amenities and private balconies overlooking the harbor or marina.With first-class service, a long list of amenities and a spectacular setting, it’s no wonder The Portofino Hotel & Marina has become one of California’s most desirable spots for weddings, vacations and romantic getaways.