27 of Southern California's Best Hidden Gem Wedding Venues

Searching for that one-of-a-kind Southern California wedding venue? From gorgeous beaches to dreamy desert landscapes to lush forests, you'll find no shortage of stunning locations to tie the knot. This destination-worthy region welcomes nearly perfect weather all year round and also includes some rare gems in places you wouldn't expect to find them, like a garden oasis in the middle of a bustling downtown or a lavish private estate just off the beaten path. Check out these surprising and unexpected locations that are often hiding in plain sight!



SANTA BARBARA



Elings Park

Santa Barbara, California

Location: on a hilltop above beautiful Santa Barbara

Fab Features: 230-acre nonprofit park and urban oasis with seasonal color and incredible city, mountain, and ocean views • expansive oceanview meadow and hillside amphitheater surrounded by trees • oak-shaded terrace for dining

Catering: BYO
Price: $ • $$
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MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation

Santa Barbara, CA

Location: on State Street in the heart of Santa Barbara

Fab Features: one-of-a-kind museum that encourages creativity, imagination, and exploration • spectacular Sky Garden rooftop celebrations with panoramic views of the city and surrounding hills • full museum buyouts include guest access to all the cool interactive exhibits

Catering: BYO
Price: $$ • $$$
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SAN LUIS OBISPO | CENTRAL COAST | PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY



Villa Loriana

San Luis Obispo, CA

Location: in the hills just 5 minutes east of Pismo Beach

Fab Features: Italian-inspired private estate surrounded by lush landscaping • ceremonies on the manicured lawn accented by indigenous oaks, and stunning water features • grand receptions inside the 2-story, old-world villa with arched windows and a glamorous chandelier

Catering: Preferred list, BYO
Price: $$ • $$$
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VENTURA COUNTY



Fillmore Chapel by Wedgewood Weddings

Fillmore, CA

Location: in an agricultural small town in the Heritage Valley

Fab Features: lovely former church reimagined as a stunning event venue • a white brick outdoor fireplace is the unique focal point for the landscaped garden courtyard ceremony site • The Sanctuary boasts rich wood finishes, vintage fixtures, open-beamed ceilings with hand-stenciled rafters, and a gorgeous stained glass rose window

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

Piru, CA

Location: in Heritage Valley, a mere 10 minutes from Valencia’s Magic Mountain

Fab Features: an enchanting Queen Anne-style historic mansion • dine under the stars in the tiled garden Courtyard • open-air celebrations on the lovely hedged lawn with a splashing fountain and panoramic mountain views

Catering: In-house, Preferred list, BYO
Price: $ • $$ • $$$
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SANTA CLARITA VALLEY



Rolling Hills Ranch

Santa Clarita, CA

Location: in Santa Clarita, nestled among the Angeles National Forest

Fab Features: picturesque private estate with 25 acres of idyllic celebration options • exchange vows beneath a pergola in The Gardens, where a lush lawn is framed by fragrant roses • enjoy sweeping views of majestic peaks from the Mountain View site, or capture romantic photos among the mature trees in the Oak Grove • relaxed receptions by the dramatic pool designed with natural waterfalls, ponds, and tropical plantings, is absolutely enchanting.

Catering: Preferred list, BYO
Price: $$
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ORANGE COUNTY



Jewel of Ortega

San Juan Capistrano, CA

Location: set among lemon groves adjacent to Cleveland National Forest

Fab Features: the expansive property is surrounded by pristine chaparral & oak forest • luxurious ranch-style home offers overnight lodgings for up to 20 people • exchange vows under the vintage-style gazebo before dining and dancing as the sun sets over the ocean

Catering: Preferred list
Price: $$
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Ebell of Santa Ana

Santa Ana, CA

Location: Nestled in the heart of Santa Ana, just a few blocks from their charming downtown.

Fab Features: stunning 1924 Spanish Revival venue • Old World interiors with colorful Spanish tiles, high wood beam ceilings, and wrought-iron chandeliers • ceremonies in the outdoor garden courtyard, with its arched covered walkways, mercury glass-detailed wooden doors, and century-old oak trees

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



Millwick

Los Angeles, CA

Location: in the urban Art District of downtown LA

Fab Features: loft-style warehouse with large skylights and wooden bowstring-truss ceiling • exposed brick and unique, hand-made, gold ceramic tile walls • two oversized glass roll-up doors connect the Grand Hall to the lush courtyard garden

Catering: BYO
Price: $$
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SAN FERNANDO VALLEY



Reptacular Animals Ranch in the Forest

Sylmar, CA

Location: sequestered in the Angeles National Forest

Fab Features: ceremonies beneath a giant oak or in the sprawling field with mountain vistas • open-air celebrations in the meadow with sweeping mountain views • event enhancements include photo ops with animals and a petting zoo

Catering: BYO
Price: $ • $$
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MANHATTAN BEACH | PALOS VERDES | LONG BEACH



Los Verdes Golf Course

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Location: On a rugged bluff in Rancho Palos Verdes

Fab Features: elegant event venue perched on the crest of a private slope • exchange vows on the Catalina Terrace, overlooking the verdant fairways and the sparkling Pacific beyond • floor-to-ceiling windows in the Vista Ballroom frame more gorgeous views

Catering: In-house, BYO
Price: $ • $$ • $$$
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Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion

Rolling Hills Estates, CA

Location: in the heart of the Palos Verde Peninsula

Fab Features: a private ballroom with indoor and outdoor spaces boasting gorgeous features • capture beautiful moments from your special day in the picturesque circular parking court with a sparkling fountain and a lush green border of sun-dappled jacaranda and pine trees • exchange vows on the elegant West Terrace designed with a tranquil stone fountain, Roman colonnades, and greenery all around

Catering: Preferred list, BYO
Price: $$
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TEMECULA



Randhawa Ranch

Temecula, CA

Location: hilltop ranch in Temecula Wine Country

Fab Features: a stunning 40-acre agricultural luxury ranch and wedding venue nestled in the western hills of Temecula • over 3,000 avocado trees, four different varieties of grapevines, and miles of canyon and mountain views • exclusive use of the property for 12 hours, including their beautiful rustic barn

Catering: Preferred list, BYO
Price: $ • $$
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Mount Palomar Winery

Temecula, CA

Location: gracing the highest hill of Temecula’s famous Wine Trail

Fab Features: sprawling 300-acre property offers a completely separate hillside for weddings with an unobstructed panorama of Temecula Valley • they specialize in highlighting personal, cultural, and religious preferences with a wide array of menus options, expert chefs, and suggested vendors • dreamy al fresco reception plaza surrounded by blooming florals and herbs, fountains, and lawns

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$
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California Ranch Company (CRC Ranch)

Temecula, CA

Location: rustic setting in the heart of Temecula

Fab Features: romantic 53-acre wine country ranch with a 150-year legacy • working horse & cattle ranch and California's premiere horse training and competition facility • airy, light-flooded barn and 2-bed, 2-bath dressing suite

Catering: In-house, Preferred list
Price: $ • $$ • $$$
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LAKE ARROWHEAD



San Moritz Lodge

Crestline, California

Location: tucked away next to Lake Gregory

Fab Features: a grand chalet among cool green cedar and pine forests • hold a fairy-tale ceremony outdoors on the Ceremony Lawn in front of the Lodge • dance the night away with the view of the mountains and a forest of tall trees around a sparkling mountain lake as your backdrop

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$
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Holcomb Valley Ranch

Fawnskin, CA

Location: nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest

Fab Features: exclusive use wooded campground and rustic ranch • panoramic views blend western vistas with rugged historic texture • campsites available for a romantic couple’s getaway or a large-scale weekend wedding

Catering: BYO
Price: $ • $$ • $$$
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Gold Mountain Manor

Big Bear, CA

Location: nestled in the forests of Big Bear Valley

Fab Features: woodsy retreat highlighted by a whimsical 1928 log mansion • romantic al fresco events in the garden, which is bounded by lush forest and glowing twinkle lights • cozy, welcoming accommodations in seven uniquely adorned guest rooms

Catering: Preferred list
Price: $ • $$
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RIVERSIDE | INLAND EMPIRE



The Retreat by Wedgewood Weddings

Corona, California

Location: on a quiet hilltop above Temescal Valley

Fab Features: sophisticated country club set on estate-like grounds, complete with a grand ballroom, a fountain courtyard and outdoor fireplace • a dramatic 80-foot aisle leads to a manicured ceremony lawn • Tuscan-inspired clubhouse boasts an adjacent terrace overlooking a garden landscape and the tree-studded hills just beyond

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$
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Stone Oak Manor

Oak Glen, CA

Location: nestled in the mountains of Oak Glen

Fab Features: bed & breakfast specializing in out-of-the-norm decor • full service planning packages include florals, custom builds, overnight accommodations, and more • designed to be LGBTQ & Trans-inclusive

Catering: Preferred list, BYO
Price: $ • $$
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Serenity Lake Matthews

Perris, CA

Location: perched on a hilltop overlooking Lake Mathews

Fab Features: stunning 2+ acre estate with sprawling views of the lake and hills • weekend-long rentals include multi-day use of the estate and plush shuttle buses to transport your guests • the gorgeous, expansive Mansion is located next door, with 25 beds to sleep the whole wedding party

Catering: BYO
Price: $ • $$ • $$$
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SAN GABRIEL VALLEY | PASADENA



San Dimas Canyon Golf Course

San Dimas, CA

Location: just at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains

Fab Features: the 2 ceremony options (the tranquil gazebo and the vintage clock site) look out over the pristine grounds and distant mountains • dance the night away beneath a canopy of Oak Trees and stringed bistro lights • the flexible and knowledgeable staff work to make your wedding dreams come true with flexible and customized event packages

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



Rancho Guejito Weddings

Escondido, CA

Location: in the hills just North of San Diego

Fab Features: incredible 1845 ranch with remarkable Old West history • the exquisite historic farmhouse-turned-tasting room serves as a unique backdrop for romantic al fresco celebrations • 23,000-acre estate is surrounded by lush vineyards, citrus orchards, avocado groves, and velvety green lawns

Catering: Preferred list, BYO
Price: $ • $$
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The Chandelier Room Carlsbad

Carlsbad, CA

Location: in the heart of Carlsbad Village

Fab Features: charming indoor/outdoor venue in the heart of Carlsbad Village, just blocks from the Pacific • the gated patio is surrounded with lush greenery, created an intimate "secret garden" feeling • the interior exudes a luxe speakeasy vibe, with rich navy walls, sparkling crystal lighting fixtures, plush furnishings, and gleaming poured concrete floors

Catering: Preferred list, BYO
Price: $ • $$
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Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens

Fallbrook, California

Location: tropical paradise just North of San Diego

Fab Features: sophisticated and secluded garden estate offering gourmet cuisine • the picturesque grounds are made up of tropical gardens, several waterfalls, and a heart-shaped lake • dine and dance the night away under the stars or beneath the elegant open-air pavilion

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

Oceanside, CA

Location: 20 minutes inland from the shores of charming Oceanside

Fab Features: hidden tropical oasis surrounded by natural springs, waterfalls, and ponds • ceremonies in the heart of the luxurious gardens beneath a bent-wood tree or a dramatic fig canopy • receptions under the shaded forest, veiled by billowing drapery and cooled by refreshing coastal breezes

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$
Click Here for More Info


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