32 California Destination Wedding Venues with European Vibes

Fab Features: designed in 1929 by famed architect Julia Morgan, this historic hotel is like a miniature Hearst Castle • Moorish Gothic-style building features landscaped inner courtyards and fountains, plus a wealth of graceful arches, domed ceilings, pillars, leaded-glass windows and doors, and art • time-honored guest rooms include classic vintage décor

Fab Features: elegant department-store-turned-event venue • the palatial, circular Lobby boasts striking terrazzo flooring, tall plaster archways, and a soaring 120-foot ceiling • the mezzanine is designed with classic columns adorned with sculpted friezes and gilded embellishments and a stunning 5,000-square-foot elliptical dome of leaded glass

Fab Features: iconic 1892 treasure designed by Albert Pissis that boasts a grand corner location, giant exterior colonnade, and famed verdigris domed entrance • the Main Hall boasts a soaring 30-foot ceiling, massive arched windows, and ornately gilded fixtures • historic San Francisco experience coupled with state-of-the-art amenities

Fab Features: lush, hillside property offers the ambiance of a country retreat with dazzling panoramas of the Bay • say "I do" on the Vista Terrace, overlooking the sparkling sea and distant boats • charming English Tudor-style Clubhouse boasts original 1920s architectural details

Fab Features: lush garden and pond-side ceremonies with quintessential vineyard views • intimate celebrations in the aromatic Barrel Room lined with oak casks • award-winning hotel accommodations and gourmet on-site catering

Fab Features: picturesque and welcoming setting crowned by ivy-covered walls, impeccable vines, and panoramic views • secluded ceremony lawn framed by the sprawling vineyards and mountains beyond • the barrel room (the largest in the area!) boasts high ceilings accented by drapes, chandeliers, and twinkle lights

Fab Features: imaginative world-class hotel • vibrant event spaces that come in a myriad of themes and colors • exchange vows in a lush garden followed by one-of-a-kind receptions among bold colors and eclectic accents like cupid angel chandeliers

Fab Features: vintage-inspired winery with lush vineyard landscapes, historic buildings, and exquisite views of Escondido Wine Country • airy, elegant ceremonies in the vine-wrapped courtyard • dramatic brick-and-wood barrel room boasts a vaulted ceiling and rustic wrought-iron chandeliers

Fab Features: European-style private estate • al fresco celebrations on the expansive lawn followed by cocktails on the white sand beach overlooking the swimming pond • cozy accommodations in the old world farmhouse or camp out on the manicured grounds

Fab Features: boutique winery surrounded by gentle rolling hills planted with Bordeaux varietals • lovely receptions on the back lawn, bordered by vineyards and countryside panoramas • at night, strings of twinkle lights add sparkle to the festivities, and there’s an ample patio for dancing under the stars

Catering: Preferred list
Price: $ • $$

Fab Features: Four Diamond Award French Chateau style hotel • distinctive architecture showcases dormers, shuttered French windows, and peaked roofline • the Spa offers luxe treatments along with a fitness pavilion, pool, seasonal poolside café, and an outdoor fireplace

Fab Features: romantic hilltop chateau • panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards in the valley below • weekend wedding experiences with luxury overnight accommodations

Fab Features: dreamy vineyard estate • outdoor ceremony site overlooking the the eastern vineyards and Wetland Preserve • enjoy cocktails on the picturesque Grand Piazza paved with Italian stonework and lined with potted plants, then dine and dance in the European-style Barrel Room

Fab Features: luxe boutique hotel with an exceptional wedding planning team • exchange vows before a spectacular water wall feature in the Rail Road Courtyard, then dance under the stars and glowing market lights • or, opt for the airy Orchard Ballroom, with its grand stone fireplace, high ceilings, and modern arched windows

Fab Features: elegant, Mission-style clubhouse on California's only 4.5-star private golf course • snap gorgeous photos among verdant greens, gentle streams, granite outcroppings, and oaks, buckeyes and Ponderosa pines • pretty ceremonies on the lawn lead to receptions in the clubhouse, which opens onto a spacious terrace

Fab Features: a 20-acre vineyard resort populated with art and artifacts from South America, Asia, Europe and beyond • exchange vows in a French-inspired Abbey, or dine under the stars in the Italian-inspired courtyard • with European-style hospitality, guests are invited to relax in lush gardens, soothing spa experiences, or in a private pool cabana

Fab Features: charming Tuscan villa adorned with flower gardens, tranquil fountains, and historic sculptures • exchange vows against a backdrop of the rolling hills of Temecula wine country and the distant San Bernardino Mountains • romantic receptions in the breathtaking interior courtyard are fully catered, including a late night snack

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$ • $$$

Fab Features: 10-acre retreat with plenty of amenities, like a luxe day spa package with European-style baths, mini mani-pedis, and use of the private Spa Loggia for wedding party primping • numerous verdant lawns— bordered by a creek, bounded by flowerbeds, and shaded by trees— are perfect for al fresco ceremonies • the luxe Vintage Hall boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a breezy veranda with golf course views

Catering: In-house
Price: $$ • $$$

Fab Features: fabulous resort encompassing 10 acres of romantic gardens minutes from the beach on the La Jolla cliffs • a sweeping staircase leads to the Garden Courtyard, a manicured lawn bordered with native foliage and magnolia trees • sumptuous event details and indulgent on-site amenities (like the full-service spa!) create an elevated resort experience

Catering: In-house
Price: $$ • $$$

Fab Features: breathtaking new garden wedding venue at the edge of the Heritage Valley boasts over 3 acres of roses, lavender fields, olive trees and lush greenery • spacious ceremony lawn bordered by shrubbery and low arcaded walls has a paved aisle, and trickling fountains in the background • all-inclusive catering packages invite you to celebrate with ease under the stars and twinkle lights

Fab Features: a 280-acre resort with a laidback Mediterranean-style vibe • ceremonies on a manicured lawn bordered by white roses, or next to a magnificent Italian fountain • fabulous amenities like a beautiful golf course, refined restaurants, and a luxurious spa

Fab Features: authentic Spanish-style mansion • ceremonies on the expansive lawn or in the Pavilion, a semicircular building with huge Corinthian columns • the inviting interior is designed with hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, and a grand fireplace

Fab Features: iconic 1924 downtown Fresno landmark showcasing elegant Italian Renaissance Revival architecture • the Grand Ballroom exudes Art Deco glamour, with original marble floors, 20-foot columns, gorgeous chandeliers, and a sweeping mezzanine • the rooftop ballroom, Grand on 10, boasts domed cascade ceilings, a stylish stage, and an adjacent veranda with fab city views

Fab Features: a beautifully designed Georgian country manor situated on 20 hilltop acres • the property boasts an elegant ceremony site, a veranda for cocktail hour, a covered reception area, plus a custom airstream and a dressing suite for wedding party prep • exclusive use of the estate and its manicured grounds on your wedding day

Fab Features: historic 1930s gem with a colorful history situated on several mountain-view acres with lush gardens, fountains, and meandering pathways • intimate ceremonies set among the gardens or on the spacious patio, accented with cacti and Mission-style architectural details • start your honeymoon right away with lodgings in the unique indoor/outdoor Love Nest, with spectacular sunset views

Fab Features: inspired SoCal hotel that blends historic Mission-style beauty with plenty of plush amenities • say "I do" in the heart of a graceful courtyard, framed by sparkling fountains, olive trees, and the glow of bistro lights • the gracious Catalan Room is flooded with light from the adjacent Spanish-tiled courtyard

Fab Features: 1885 vine-covered stone winery, now in its fourth generation of family ownership • say "I do" in a bucolic courtyard or an ivy-covered tower that overlooks an expanse of flower-lined lawn • elegant al fresco receptions on the front patio enjoy glowing bistro lights, lush landscaping, and a large Mediterranean-style fountain

Fab Features: 1924 Gatsby-esque art-filled estate • octagonal Solarium flooded with natural light and 9 acres of outdoor space outfitted with lush lawns, a rose garden, and a romantic stone gazebo • delectable and creative five-star cuisine from Colette's Catering

Fab Features: flagstone courtyard with ivy-covered balconies • 200-year-old carved wooden doors provide a stunning backdrop for photos • stained-glass windows, oversized fireplace, and candelabras add romantic charm

Fab Features: stunning Santa Barbara Wine Country luxury retreat is set amidst a 105-acre organic vineyard and farm • vineyards views and lavender-scented breezes enhance your vows on the Wedding Lawn, which overlooks a pretty pond • a gorgeous upscale event barn with a chic lounge hosts exquisite celebrations

Fab Features: hilltop Tuscan-style inn framed by hundreds of acres of lush vineyards • exchange vows in a dramatic courtyard framed by gorgeous circular staircases • elegant al fresco receptions on the tree-lined terrace or among the manicured gardens

Fab Features: Tuscan-inspired estate and Tasting Room on 168 acres of manicured grounds, gardens, and grape vines • gorgeous verandas and patios overlook the three-tiered fountain, pond, and lush vineyard • glowing market lights illuminate romantic lawns

Distinct Locations holds the keys to the most exclusive destination wedding venues in California's Napa and Sonoma Wine Country. From estates and ranches to wineries with incredible vineyard views, their venues are intimate and private—yet conveniently accessible for your guests. Knowing your preferences, Distinct Locations will not only help you find the ideal location for your wedding but also introduce you to their network of local vendors. When the big day finally arrives, all aspects of the property will be in perfect harmony—and you'll know you are in the perfect place.