California Wedding Venues Recommendations
California has so many unique wedding venues—and we have plenty of recommendations, depending on what you are looking for. Outdoor? Mansion? Garden? We share our faves here.
(If you can’t get enough, see detailed info for all the California wedding venues on our site.)
Anything But Ordinary: 6 Unique Long Beach Wedding Venues
Looking for a unique spot for your Long Beach wedding? This bustling coastal community of Los Angeles County has miles of sandy beaches and a myriad of one-of-a-kind event venues. If you want your event to be anything but ordinary, check out these eclectic locations from Visit Long Beach. From a legendary 1936 former ocean liner-turned-hotel to colorful museums with eclectic works of art to a chic rooftop overlooking the Pacific, these beautiful spaces create a stunning stage for your celebration and come with comprehensive packages that make planning a breeze!
21 Romantically Intimate Bay Area Wedding Venues
If you’re searching for a sweet and small spot to say ‘I do’, the Bay Area won’t disappoint. With an array of styles to choose from including lush secluded gardens, charming historic mansions, luxe landmark hotels, and more, you’re sure to find a perfect fit. Explore our list below and begin planning your romantically intimate celebration.
9 Amazing (and Affordable!) Central Valley Wedding Venues
There is more to the Central Valley than picturesque farmland, sprawling orchards, and rolling vineyards. Backed by the majestic Sierra Nevadas, this lush landscape is also home to a stunning array of unique and affordable wedding venues. From a beautifully reimagined 1912 theatre near Sacramento to a serene lakeside retreat just outside of Fresno, we’ve scoured the area to bring you the best properties this region has produced!
2 Country Chic Private Estate Retreats for your Northern California Destination Wedding
Searching for that perfect location for your Northern California Destination Wedding? Set your sights on these stunning locations that seamlessly blend striking natural scenery with gorgeous architecture and cozy accommodations. From a secluded and serene 12-acre private estate surrounded by rolling hills in Napa to a seaside historic Grand Mansion where you can exchange vows cliffside or beneath a towering eucalyptus grove, these exclusive properties are made for extended celebrations. You and your guests will enjoy exclusive use of the property for 3 days and 2 nights with the option of bringing in your own vendors or choosing from their list of preferred wedding planners.
25 California Ranch Venues for your Western-Chic Wedding
Our California venue experts agree: giddy-up, cowpokes, Western-chic weddings are IN. With a long history of livestock farming and agriculture, California has a rich ranch tradition and plenty of venues with authentic Western cred... along with some of the best wedding professionals in the country to put the chic in "rustic-chic." From all-inclusive dude ranches to sustainable farm retreats to DIY-friendly barns, your romantic California ranch wedding venue awaits.
Intimate Romance: 9 East Bay Venues Perfect for Your Small Wedding
Looking to ditch the long guest list but keep all the big, breathtaking beauty of a NorCal wedding? The East Bay has just the solution. This sun-soaked, history-rich, forest-lush region has plenty of options for your intimate celebration: with venues that range from an Art Deco ballroom to a landscaped garden courtyard to a luxury yacht with panoramic views of the Bay, this list will help you find that perfect fit. Goldilocks would be jealous.
13 Iconic San Francisco Wedding Venues
If you’ve taken a spin around San Francisco, you know that this city has stunning locations around every corner, but if you're looking for a one-of-its-kind, iconic wedding venue then this list is for you. From beautiful museums to luxurious hotels and everything in between, there’s a special spot for every style. Take your pick from our curated list below and begin planning your standout celebration.
19 Northern California Venues With Cozy Backyard Vibes
Are you dreaming of a romantic celebration with a homey and close-knit feel? These Northern California venues will make you feel right at home with their cozy backyard vibes. With enchanting garden estates, rustic barn retreats, lushly wooded hideaways, and more, there’s so much to choose from. Explore our hand-picked list below and bring your backyard wedding day vision to life!
11 Wine Country Venues For Your Indian Wedding
Are you searching for a stunning venue for your South Asian wedding in Wine Country? These Napa Valley and Sonoma County venues provide stunning backdrops for every phase of your celebration, whether you imagine your hilltop mandap framing a stunning panorama of the vineyards and valley, or your beloved’s baraat along romantic pathways lined with lush, towering trees. Take your pick from our curated list of venues eager to accommodate your important cultural traditions... and the grandest of guest lists!
Anything But Ordinary: 9 Unique San Diego Wedding Venues
When it comes to diverse and dreamy wedding venues, San Diego is at the top of our list. From chic, urban aeries and world-class museums to lushly landscaped gardens and "Old California" style ranches, there's no shortage of one-of-a-kind options to tie the knot. San Diego weddings may be popular, but there are plenty of options to stand out from the crowd.
22 Breathtaking California Elopement Wedding Venues
Is there anything more romantic than an intimate elopement with a stunning backdrop? For the couple seeking a beautiful small wedding experience, California's diverse landscape and agreeable climate offers countless enchanting options for every style, at any time throughout the year. Whether you’re envisioning vows spoken with your toes in the sand overlooking the Pacific or a sweet soirée surrounded by towering redwoods, get ready to swoon over these picturesque locations that fit any budget!
8 Beautiful Bay Area Waterfront Wedding Venues
It’s no surprise why so many couples opt for an outdoor wedding in the Bay Area and if you have your heart set on celebrating near (or on!) the water, you’re going to love these waterfront venues. Whether you want to exchange vows on a misty cliffside overlooking the Pacific, take in the glittering cityscapes and iconic bridges aboard a luxury yacht, or dance the night away as gentle waves lap at the shore, these waterfront venues will have you swooning at first sight!
15 Romantic Southern California Restaurant Venues for Small Weddings & Rehearsal Dinners
From chic DTLA rooftops to cozy OC patios and breezy San Diego bayside terraces, these restaurant venues set the mood for small weddings and unforgettable rehearsal dinners. Perfect for food lovers, you’ll find everything from coastal seafood and wood-fired Italian to modern Californian tasting menus. Choose from private dining rooms, semi-private nooks, or full buyouts, with transparent capacities and F&B minimums to keep planning simple
8 Spectacular Waterfront Venues in Marin County
Is there anything more magical than vows spoken against a glistening ocean backdrop? If you’re dreaming of a waterfront wedding celebration, Marin County has an abundance of spectacular venues to offer. Whether you’re picturing a whimsical cliffside ceremony or an extravagant soirée on a luxury yacht, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for here.
8 Sacramento Venues Perfect for Your Intimate Wedding
There’s something so sweet about an intimate wedding and thanks to its historic landmarks, beautiful architecture, and stunning scenery, Sacramento has a variety of gorgeous spaces that are perfect for a petite celebration! From Victorian mansions to quaint chapels to lush gardens, we've gathered some of our favorite locations that create an amazing atmosphere for an unforgettable intimate affair.
4 Stunning Santa Barbara Reception Venues
Have your heart set on a swift and sweet courthouse ceremony, but want to go big with the after-party? Set your sites on these stunning Santa Barbara reception venues! They offer stylish spaces paired with cool culinary creations and flexible event packages that make it easy to bring everyone together to celebrate your post-ceremony bliss!
13 Breathtaking Central Coast Wedding Venues
Just North of Los Angeles and South of the San Francisco Bay Area lies a gorgeous stretch of breathtaking scenery known as the Central Coast. From the epic surf in Santa Cruz and the rocky shores of Monterey down to the rolling vineyards in Santa Barbara and Ventura's pristine beaches, these cozy communities are full of show-stopping wedding venues. Whether you want to exchange vows with your toes in the sand, or at a serene ranch nestled in a lush valley, you'll fall in love at first sight with some of Central California's finest here!
11 of the Most Stunning Wedding Venues in Marin County
Located just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge you’ll find a charming collection of coastal and cozy communities in Marin County that provide a jaw-dropping setting for your wedding. Whether you want to exchange vows in an enchanted Redwood Forest, at a luxurious resort overlooking the Bay, or at a historic home nestled at the base of Mt. Tamalpais, see our picks for some of the most breathtaking locations the North Bay has to offer.
31 of Southern California's Best Outdoor Wedding Venues
Southern California is home to an abundance of picturesque places to tie the knot, and if you’re dreaming of an al fresco affair the options are nearly endless thanks to its gorgeous weather year-round. From beachfront getaways to dramatic desert destinations to sprawling cityscapes from the rooftop of a chic hotel, you'll find the perfect site to match your style here. Take your pick from our curated list of the best outdoor locations in SoCal that will bring your wedding dreams to life!
7 Stylish Palm Springs Elopement & Micro Wedding Venues
Planning a Palm Springs elopement or small wedding in the Coachella Valley? From chic hotel courtyards in Palm Springs to scenic clubs in Indian Wells, modern hideaways in Bermuda Dunes, and high-desert gems near Twentynine Palms (hello, Joshua Tree photo ops), these venues deliver intimate vibes, stunning backdrops, and stress-free packages for micro celebrations. Browse our favorite Palm Springs elopement & small wedding venues with photos, prices, and need-to-know details to plan your perfect day.
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Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor