Wildwood Acres 1055 Hunsaker Canyon Road • Lafayette • California 94549

It’s hard to believe, as you drive through the suburbs of Contra Costa County, that a rustic jewel like Wildwood Acres could exist here. Nestled in a wooded canyon only five miles from downtown Lafayette, this garden hideaway can accommodate a wide variety of events. Whether you’re planning a country-style reception, family reunion, or frothy Victorian wedding with picture hats and parasols, Wildwood Acres can magically transform itself into the ideal venue.

The outdoor event spaces are what make Wildwood Acres so special. If you’re getting married here, there’s a lovely ceremony site up on a hill in a fern grotto, deep in a grove of towering bay trees and big-leaf maples. Exchange vows on a stone platform in one corner while your guests, seated in the adjacent open area, savor their surroundings.

Afterwards, have your reception on two terraces, shaded by a natural canopy of alder and maple trees. A redwood gazebo houses the band, and there’s plenty of room to kick up your heels on the sunken dance floor. All around, pottery urns overflowing with impatiens and ferns add spots of color, and winding paths lead to shady nooks containing wrought-iron or wooden benches.

Planning an indoor celebration? The 2,000-square-foot lodge features warm decorative flooring and a wall of windows framing a view of the garden. An open-beamed ceiling, Oriental rugs, and a stone fireplace with benches on either side make the room cozy. There’s even a full-service bar! This would be the perfect place to host an intimate wedding, Christmas party, or other winter event.