Old St. Hilary's 201 Esperanza Road • Tiburon • California

If you’d like to have your ceremony in a very special place, reserve Old St. Hilary’s in Tiburon. This is a simple deconsecrated chapel (built in 1888)—one of the few California examples of Carpenter’s Gothic style to survive in its original condition and setting.

It’s situated atop a knoll overlooking Belvedere, Angel Island and the Golden Gate—a site protected as a rare wildflower preserve. The small white clapboard building with high peaked roof has interior walls of natural redwood, a ceiling of Douglas fir, oak pews and is lit by replicas of the original oil-burning chandeliers. The only original stained-glass window, which is above the door, depicts St. Hilary, patron saint of scholars; the other windows are Gothic arches of amber glass.

Take your vows in an uncluttered space that embraces you with a sense of peace and tranquility. Not only is the church a well-known place for weddings and other kinds of ceremonies, it’s also a popular photo site. And the nave, which has excellent acoustics, can accommodate meetings, musical programs and recordings.