California Beach Weddings: 23 Locations Where You Can Tie The Knot On The Sand!

This rambling hacienda-style resort is one of the few in the area to offer ceremonies on the sand. There are also plenty of other options: the central Garden Courtyard is particularly gorgeous, tucked among lush birds of paradise, hibiscus, azaleas and various palms, and we love the second-floor Acapulco Deck for cocktails and killer waterfront views. With several venue options (all with panoramic ocean vistas), a location in a charming coastal town, and a to-die-for menu, this spot offers  quintessential SoCal beach wedding, without all the fuss. 

San Diego Mission Bay Resort's beach ceremony spot is one of the region's loveliest, with Mission Bay's tranquil waters lapping at the shore and sailboats gliding by gracefully in the distance—an iconic snapshot of "America's Finest City", to be sure. For a celebration with a decidedly South Seas twist, consider the exquisite Garden by the Bay, where towering palm trees form a natural wedding arch, or the Bayside Terrace, with its cascading waterfall and striking 60-year-old ficus tree.

Shelter Island's Kona Kai Resort and Spa has long been a favorite getaway for both visitors and locals. The resort's private beach—an expanse of pristine sand—brings guests right to the water's edge, and the view across the harbor of homes nestled in Point Loma's hills could easily be mistaken for a Mediterranean port village. This makes the beach a coveted ceremony spot, but its permanent fire pits and cabanas set the stage for an awesome cocktail hour or intimate reception, too.

Not only can you have a "toes in the sand" beach ceremony on Mission Bay, but you can also host your reception in one of their beachfront rooms…or, for something really special, treat your guests to a bay cruise on one of their sternwheel paddleboats for the ultimate wedding celebration. Generous wedding packages are completely customizable and may include fab perks like a custom wedding cake, complimentary wedding-night suite, and discounts on rooms for your guests.

Experience the quintessential SoCal "endless summer" on the sand at the iconic Crystal Cove Park. Run by Beachcomber Catering, experts in coastal entertaining, festivities here unfold in with energy and ease. Exchange vows beachside before popping around the white picket fence to the Beaches Cottage (yes, that Beaches) with its sand-strewn terrace, for cocktails and dinner. Or, opt to celebrate on the sprawling Beach Promenade, the perfect oceanfront setting for food stations, a surf and turf extravaganza, margaritas and mini-ahi tacos, or just about any delectable cuisine you can image.

If you can’t imagine getting married anywhere but at a waterfront oasis, you simply can't top this exquisite luxury resort on Mandalay Beach. Built right next to the ocean, with nothing between it and the water but a wide strip of sand, almost every ceremony takes place seaside, nestled among the dunes with spectacular views of the setting sun and Channel Islands in the distance. Elegant receptions may be held in one of two beautiful ballrooms, or opt for something a little more chill on the open-air plaza, which features Sugar Beats, a converted airstream trailer that serves up on trend brews & snacks. At the end of the night, your guests will retire in luxury—with 8½ oceanfront acres of all-suite accommodations, they're guaranteed a once-in-a-lifetime stay.

Spectacular weddings nestled between the sea, sand, and sky are the specialty of this gorgeous waterfront resort. Each of the ceremony sites boasts magnificent ocean views, from the toes-in-the-sand setting right on the beach to the two-tiered event lawn to the California-cool poolside setup. The indoor spaces are no less lovely, with plenty of options to suit every taste. For something traditional, opt for the sprawling Huntington Ballroom with its coffered ceiling; the chic Breakwater Ballroom is a touch more contemporary, with modern chandeliers and ocean-blue flooring. The Coastal Ballroom and Pacific Ballroom each have their own adjacent terrace, offering your guests the chance to watch a once-in-a-lifetime sunset in between dinner and dancing.

Ventura's only beachfront hotel, the Crowne Plaza provides everything you need for a waterside wedding on the sand. Exchange vows in front of the waves, then walk off into a glorious sunset as your photographer snaps photos. Meanwhile friends and family begin the party on a private terrace facing the sea. As twilight descends, the celebration moves to the Top of the Harbor Ballroom, which commands a sparkling 360-degree panorama of city lights, hills, and the Pacific Ocean.

This glam, upscale hotel offers the perfect combination of beach-chic and SoCal luxury. Located mere steps from the Pacific Beach, you can host an all-al fresco event with your toes in the sand, or on the twinkle-lit modern pool deck with its fabulous ocean views. Or, celebrate in the teak-accented, architecturally stunning on-site restaurant, which opens onto an oceanfront patio with a fire pit for a fabulous indoor/outdoor flow.

Exchange vows on one of Ventura's most scenic beaches, with the Channel Islands in the distance—Wedgewood Weddings's savvy event team will arrange all the details! Afterwards, host your reception a few minutes away on top of the glamorous Tower Club, a window-lined penthouse that captures gorgeous coastal and city panoramas.

It's only a five-minute walk from the Club's garden and banquet room to Santa Claus Lane Beach, where Rincon's experienced style squad will personalize your ceremony: Imagine a wedding aisle lined with seashells and driftwood, or a bamboo arch draped with tropical garlands—they can even lay grass sod on the sand! In the background, the silhouette of Moroccan-style buildings built into the distant bluff creates the illusion of marrying on an exotic isle.

At the Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa, you're never far from the sparkling waters and soft sands of Mission Bay. Exchange your "I do"s on the beach or in a lovely gazebo framed by lush tropical gardens. Receptions may be held held in the Polynesian-style Kon Tiki Ballroom or the Aviary Ballroom, which boasts stunning views of Mission Bay from its open-air balcony.

Encompassing one of the last remaining private beaches in SoCal, this historic property is truly one-of-a-kind. You can wed in one of the endless picturesque locations on the 14 secluded acres, from the shores of the Pacific, to a pond, to a lush garden oasis. After the "I do"s, your scrumptious reception menu is prepared by their award-winning Executive Chef and his culinary team. Chef's kiss!

Panoramic doors connect this modern beachfront club to the soft sand and sparkling sea beyond. Start with a ceremony on the palm-lined lawn, backed by the waters of Mission Bay, then flow to the massive patio and open-air bar for a cocktail hour that's quintessentially SoCal. With the significant savings from the flexibility to bring your own vendors, it's got the high-end beach club vibe without a high-end price tag.

Located across from East Beach, the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront is a beautiful 24-acre beachfront resort with a tree-lined pool, tennis courts, on-site wine tastings, a salon, a wellness spa, and more! Exchange vows right on the sand or in the Plaza del Sol, a palm-lined open-air patio that combines the distinctive style of Mission architecture with inspiring ocean views. The interior impresses with elegant accents mixed with a modern coastal-chic style.

This oceanfront terrace boasts one of the most magnificent views of the California Coastline and is just steps away from the shore.

Set above the sand, you’ll enjoy al fresco celebrations on the patio or manicured lawn. Thoughtfully curated, all-inclusive packages make wedding planning a breeze at this one-of-a-kind coastal chic space.

This vibrant, sun-soaked beachfront resort offers ceremonies on the pristine sands of Avila Beach, or on the stunning Sun Deck overlooking the sea. Cocktail hour follows on the Point San Luis Patio, where guests can sip cocktails and enjoy the sound of lapping waves, before transitioning into the bright, airy Point San Luis Ballroom for dinner and dancing. The all-suite resort makes for plush accommodations for guests and the wedding couple, with first-class amenities on-site and plenty of activities nearby.

Perched high above a pristine beach, this award-winning oceanfront resort perfectly blends the setting's natural beauty with the best-of-the-best service throughout your celebration.

This stunning oceanfront resort offers cliffside ceremonies followed by swanky receptions on a velvety lawn or beneath a luxurious tent. When the night finally winds down, you and your sweetie can return to your complimentary oceanview guest room, where the lullaby of the waves will inspire sweet dreams.

At the gateway to sun-splashed Carmel Valley, this handsome event venue overlooks green meadows and a sweep of garden lawn for picturesque wedding ceremonies...But if you prefer a more coastal vibe, the in-house event team can arrange a beach wedding just a short drive away on Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Monastery Beach, a serene cove with a beautiful stretch of sandy shoreline. Exchange vows in front of the blue waves, then continue the celebration back at the venue in your choice of recently updated ballrooms.

Commanding a prime stretch of oceanfront, the retro-chic and super-fun Santa Cruz Dream Inn welcomes toes-in-the-sand weddings as part of an epic celebration weekend. With a classic lifeguard station to one side, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to the other, and a beachfront swimming pool in the middle, there's no shortage of photo ops with personality-plus. The hotel's versatile ballroom embraces a panoramic vista of the sparkling Monterey Bay, particularly captivating at sunset.

Just north of Monterey lies a luxurious seaside escape cradled by the Marina Dunes, a unique ecological preserve that feels in harmony with nature. While ceremonies often take place on the resort’s scenic beachfront deck, you can also follow an easy coastal path to the shoreline for a one-of-a-kind exchange of vows. The rolling surf, soaring shorebirds and picturesque sand dunes dotted with coastal flora enhance the romance of your special moment. Artisanal local-centered cuisine is the highlight of your reception, and afterward, overnight guests retire to plush beach cottages, lulled to sleep by the sound of breaking waves.

This exquisite bluff-top resort encompasses 17 miles of beachfront and Monterey Bay vistas. A private beach that beckons for bonfires and romantic photos can also be set up for a ceremony on the sand, or opt for the spacious ocean view deck and enjoy a spectacular coastal panorama. Destination weddings thrive here, with event experts eager to customize your entire event timeline, from welcome reception to day-after gathering. Luxe accommodations offer decks, patios, fireplaces, and ocean or forest views as well a mood of rarified serenity.

With a renovated historic beach house and a right-on-the-sand ceremony spot, it's hard to beat this dreamy setting. The event experts at Events by Classic oversee this beachfront gem, and have made it even more desirable: their flexible event packages let you customize your celebration, from casual barbecue to elegant coastal soirée, complete with bonfires & more. Glorious sunsets and romantic moonlit walks on the beach included!

This charming coastal cottage gives us all the cozy vibes and gives couples the option to exchange vows on Muir Beach, just a two-minute walk away.

Patterned after the quaint coastal cottages of 16th-century England, the Pelican Inn is a cozy world unto itself. Wedding groups have the run of the place, including a pub, a glassed-in conservatory, and a garden lawn. Tucked against the forested hillsides of Mt. Tamalpais, it captures the spiritual majesty of Mother Nature. Then it's back to the Inn for a celebratory toast and a hearty English feast by a roaring fire.