Almost a quarter of a million couples tied the knot in California last year and according to the Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding in California was $35,274.
If you’re lucky enough to live in The Golden State, then you know there are thousands of amazing outdoor spaces for your dream outdoor wedding. With everything from ancient Redwood trees to beautiful beaches to majestic mountains, California has it all!
With so many spectacular options in California, it can be hard to decide which one is the perfect spot for you and your fiance to say “I do.”
Well, we’ve researched for you, and gathered together a list of 17 of the best outdoor wedding venues in California to get you started!
Long Branch Saloon and Farms – Half Moon Bay
Long Branch Saloon and Farms is one of the most original wedding venues in California. Set in the hills near San Mateo, this restored old western town provides a remarkable backdrop for a truly memorable spot to tie the knot.
You can say your “I dos” on the steps of a pioneer church, in the center of town, or on one of the several lawn areas.
For your reception, you can have a country barn party, or celebrate the night away in the Grand Palace Parlor which has the original bar from the San Francisco Palace Hotel!
Just imagine the fun that you and your guests of all ages will have going back in time and experiencing the splendor of the old Wild West!
Bonus: The Long Branch Saloon was the first building on the property and is filled with authentic antiques from the gold rush. It was also used as the movie set for The Quick and the Dead. How cool is that?
Typical Cost: Starts at $3,500.
Capacity: Up to 350 seated guests.
Find Long Branch Saloon and Farms at Long Branch Farms or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Winchester Mystery House – San Jose
Maybe you’ve heard of the historic Winchester Mystery House or even taken a tour of the mansion when you were on a family vacation as a child? But, we bet you didn’t know that the Winchester Mystery House can also be the backdrop for your elegant outdoor garden wedding?!
This spectacular Queen Anne-style Victorian Estate has a very rich and fascinating history and has numerous outdoor ceremony and reception options such as the renovated Greenhouse or the stunning Victorian gardens.
For an indoor reception, you can choose from The Carriage House, The Shakespeare Grand Ballroom, The Venetian Dining Room, The Winchester Room, or The North or South Dining Rooms.
Bonus: Guests can get a private tour of this 160-room mansion and learn about the history of the heiress Sarah Winchester. She built this house with many unique oddities to scare off any spirits who were killed by the Winchester rifle!
Typical Cost: Starts at $5,000.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find Winchester Mystery House at Winchester Mystery House or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Lighthouse Glen Cove Marina – Vallejo
If you are blessed enough to be able to afford The Lighthouse Glen Cove Marina, then you won’t regret it! This venue is located right on the water and is truly spectacular!
Built-in 1910 and restored to natural beauty, this full-service charming wedding venue exudes elegance and rich history.
Outdoor ceremony spaces include the landscaped lawn or the beautiful waterside patio. The Banquet Room, with its ocean views, is the perfect place for your reception.
Upstairs, there are overnight accommodations for you and your guests in the inn and with wedding package specials, The Lighthouse Glen Cove Marina may be the spot just for you!
Bonus: Did we mention the lighthouse on the property? Imagine the amazing wedding photos you and your guest can have at this charming yet luxurious venue.
Typical Cost: Starts at $9,000.
Capacity: Up to 150 seated guests.
Find The Lighthouse Glen Cove Marina at The Lighthouse Glen Cove Marina or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Villa San Juliette Vineyard & Winery – San Miguel
A list of outdoor wedding venues in California would not be complete without a winery on the docket!
Villa San Juliette Vineyard & Winery is owned by the producers of the hit show American Idol and is set on the rolling hills near the northern edge of the Paso Robles.
The gorgeous manicured lawn can host both your ceremony and reception. With 360-degree views of the surrounding vineyard, the Front Lawn is particularly breathtaking!
You can also rent the 1,850-square-foot Barrel Room for your cocktail hour or reception. This fabulous space is lined with wine barrels and opens up to an outdoor patio.
If you or your future partner love wine, this may be your dream venue!
Bonus: Imagine serving wine at your reception with grapes that were grown right there on the property. Established over the last 10 years, Villa San Juliette has become known as one of the premier wineries on the Central Coast of California.
Typical Cost: Starts at $6,000.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find Villa San Juliette Vineyard & Winery at Villa San Juliette or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Hotel Via – San Francisco
Thinking of a hip, modern wedding in the heart of San Francisco? Look no further; Hotel Via is a boutique hotel located in the most desirable neighborhood of the city.
The Rooftop at Via is an outdoor oasis on top of the 12-floor hotel. This luxurious and chic setting is 3,000 square feet and offers unparalleled scenic views of the San Francisco skyline, as well as the surrounding bays and bridges.
There are private cabanas, fire pits, and heat lamps to celebrate the night away under the stars. Notably, Elevation 10 is a smaller, more intimate outdoor space that can seat up to 50 guests.
Whichever venue you chose, the Hotel Via is guaranteed to make your contemporary, urban wedding a hit!
Bonus: You and your guests can book rooms at Hotel Via for a memorable weekend destination wedding in San Francisco!
Typical Cost: Starts at $15,000.
Capacity: Up to 125 seated guests.
Find Hotel Via at Hotel Via or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Fern Cottage- El Sobrante
Looking for an outdoor venue that is a bit more intimate and affordable? Fern Cottage is a charming spot set among the Redwood Trees within the Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area.
Perfect for a rustic yet elegant micro wedding, Fern cottage itself is 1,000 square feet and can serve as a reception space.
The grounds of this idyllic property are immaculate with fragrant trees and beautifully landscaped gardens; the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos.
Plus, imagine the lawn games you and your guests can play and the wildflower centerpieces you can create for a truly customized DIY wedding!
Bonus: Fern Cottage allows you to choose your caterers and vendors from their preferred list so that you can save your precious dollars for your honeymoon.
Typical Cost: Starts at $315.
Capacity: Up to 60 seated guests.
Find Fern Cottage at Fern Cottage or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Firehouse Restaurant – Sacramento
Known as “Sacramento’s most romantic dining spot,” The Firehouse Restaurant is a chic venue for your urban wedding.
Situated in the heart of downtown Sacramento, your guests will have plenty of spots to pre and post-funk your big day.
The Courtyard at The Firehouse Restaurant is 4,000 square feet and the perfect place for eating, dancing, and toasting your union. A leafy canopy and ivy-laced walls add to the elegant ambiance.
The smaller Courthouse Grill is an indoor event space and can be rented for a cozy, more intimate wedding.
Bonus: The Firehouse Restaurant has a top-rated wine cellar. Guests can mingle here for cocktail hour, tasting amazing California wines.
Typical Cost: Starts at $6,000.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find The Firehouse Restaurant at The Firehouse Restaurant or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Murieta Inn & Spa – Rancho Murieta
Dreaming of a classy destination wedding in the country? The Murieta Inn & Spa may be your venue! Surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, this spot is truly breathtaking.
Featuring 83 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of space, The Murieta Inn & Spa has several spaces to make your big day ultra-charming and special.
The Fireside Terrace is the prime outdoor spot for your ceremony. It is 1,160 square feet and can hold up to 160 standing guests.
For your elegant reception, why not try the Legacy Ballroom or Bourbon Room? The choice is yours in this romantic venue!
And did you notice the word “spa” in the name? Treat yourself and your wedding party to some pampering to help relax everyone!
Bonus: The Murieta Inn & Spa specializes in intimate weddings. Check them out for current affordable packages.
Typical Cost: Starts at $5,000.
Capacity: Up to 300 seated guests.
Find The Murieta Inn & Spa at The Murieta Inn or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Elings Park – Santa Barbara
Elings Park is an enchanting outdoor venue located in the heart of Santa Barbara. The park offers amazing vistas of rolling hills, the ocean, and the downtown skyline. Lush gardens inhabit the park and the sunsets are some of the best!
Elings Park has two elegant venue options: Godric Grove and Singleton Pavilion.
Godric Grove is located at the top of the park on a hill and includes a large lawn and a stone amphitheater.
Singleton Pavilion also includes a large lawn and has a stone terrace and a flagstone patio.
Bonus: Matilija poppies bloom throughout Elings Park from early spring until mid-summer. Imagine the gorgeous wedding photos you will have in a field of poppies!
Typical Cost: Starts at $2,200.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find Elings Park at Elings Park or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Walnut Grove Weddings – Moorpark
Nestled between the cities of Moorpark and Thousand Oaks, Walnut Grove is a hidden gem and a spectacular option for your large outdoor wedding.
This working ranch is located on 1,200 acres with towering eucalyptus trees and a creek running through the property.
The Outdoor Grove is the spot to tie the knot! There is a huge stone patio with an outdoor fireplace surrounded by vineyards.
With walnut trees and tons of gorgeous blooming flowers, Walnut Grove Weddings is one of the best wedding spots in Southern California to celebrate your big day!
Bonus: Worried about it getting too hot for your outside wedding? Walnut Grove Weddings is located in a valley with a gentle ocean breeze and there is lots of shade with all of the trees on the property.
Typical Cost: Starts at $9,500.
Capacity: Up to 300 seated guests.
Find Walnut Grove Weddings at Walnut Grove Weddings or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Lombardi House – Los Angeles
Dreaming of a LA wedding with all of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood? The Lombardi House may be the outdoor venue for you!
This historic, Victorian-style farmhouse was built in 1904 and has been fully restored to its original beauty. There are three venue options on the property you can mix and match according to your budget and wedding party size.
The Lombardi House Barn is 1,700 square feet and has 35-foot vaulted ceilings. The Lombardi House Lawn is 3,500 square feet and is bursting with lush gardens and The Lombardi House Courtyard is the spot for a large, rocking reception.
Say your vows on the lawn, have cocktail hour in the barn, and then head out to the courtyard to dine and dance the night away under the stars. A Hollywood dream come true!
Bonus: The Lombardi House itself is 7,000 square feet and can sleep up to 28 guests for a true So Cal destination wedding.
Typical Cost: Starts at $5,500.
Capacity: Up to 300 seated guests.
Find Lombardi House at Lombardi House or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Bel-Air Bay Club – Pacific Palisades
The Bel-Air Bay Club is a luxurious venue located on a cliff overlooking the ocean. This 1920s Mediterranean-style mansion exudes Southern California style and class with lush gardens, palm trees, and the sounds of the waves.
Although the price tag on the Bel-Air Bay Club is a bit higher than some of the other outdoor California venues, if you can afford it, this place is paradise!
There is a huge lawn on a bluff for your ceremony and several outdoor and indoor spaces for cocktails and your reception.
The outdoor patio has a lighted fountain, a grand fireplace, and of course, ocean breezes. The dining room is equally as impressive with its vaulted ceilings and wrought iron chandeliers.
Bonus: When you rent the Bel-Air Bay Club you have access to the entire estate. There are nine guest suites on-site that can house your wedding party the night before your big day. How fun!
Typical Cost: Starts at $15,000.
Capacity: Up to 275 seated guests.
Find Bel-Air Bay Club at Bel-Air Bay Club or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Whispering Oaks Chapel – Calabasas
Maybe you have been dreaming of tying the knot in a traditional setting complete with a little white church in a park?
Whispering Oaks Chapel is a charming, affordable venue, perfect for micro weddings. Located close to Malibu, the property around the chapel features gorgeous lavender and rose gardens.
The Chapel is a multi-denominational and all-inclusive church. You can have your ceremony in the chapel itself or anywhere on the grounds, including the nearby beach.
Whispering Oaks Chapel can also help you plan your reception either on the property surrounding the church or in one of their nearby sister venues.
This romantic, magical boutique venue is truly amazing for a classic wedding with a modern twist.
Bonus: Whispering Oaks Chapel may make you feel like you are in the countryside, but it is very close to Malibu hotels and restaurants to offer the best of both worlds for your out-of-town guests.
Typical Cost: Starts at $500.
Capacity: Up to 60 seated guests.
Find Whispering Oaks Chapel at Whispering Oaks Chapel or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Castle Green – Pasadena
Imagine tying the knot in a castle. Yes, a castle!
Built-in 1898, Castle Green has a rich history! This historic landmark in Pasadena is the perfect setting for you and your prince or princess to celebrate your love.
The grounds at Castle Green are immaculate with lush lawns and beautiful gardens, but you also get access to the entire first floor of the property including the exquisite ballroom and several turn-of-the-century vintage salons!
Have a Roaring 20s Gatsby-themed affair or channel your inner royal family for a fairy tale wedding!
Castle Green does have a preferred list of vendors, but there are no minimums on food or beverages and you can provide outside alcohol with no corkage fee.
Bonus: When you rent Castle Green you can be assured you will have the entire grounds to yourself since Castle Green only books one wedding party per day.
Typical Cost: Starts at $6,500.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find Castle Green at Castle Green or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort – Newport Beach
What would a list of outdoor California wedding venues be without a few beach properties on the list?
Well, Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort offers no less than eight event spaces in Newport Beach. You can even have your ceremony barefoot on the beach when you choose one of their three pavilion options.
The Grand Gazebo is slightly more traditional with a modern vibe with 10,908 square feet of grassy lawn surrounding an idyllic white gazebo.
The Marina Dock site is perfect for micro weddings with room for 20 seated guests, and the Main Terrace is the spot for your supersized outdoor wedding complete with a tent and room for up to 900 seated guests!
Bonus: Needing a combo indoor and outdoor space for some older guests who may feel more comfortable sitting inside? The Bayview Room & Garden has a tropical garden attached to an indoor space with lots of windows and a shaded patio.
Typical Cost: Starts at $1,500.
Capacity: Up to 900 seated guests.
Find Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort at Newport Dunes or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Point – San Diego
The Point is located directly on the gorgeous Mission Bay and is another elegant option for a seaside outdoor wedding.
This hip venue offers three sites that can be rented separately for both your ceremony and reception, or you can rent them all for an amazing celebration.
The Waterfront Ceremony is an expansive waterfront lawn with views of the ocean. The Beachfront Ceremony is a short golf cart ride from the main venue while The Bay Room & Garden is a gorgeous space for a reception with a living plant chandelier, reclaimed raw wood table, and access to a private outdoor garden.
Bonus: Why not say your vows on the beach, then move to the waterfront lawn area for cocktails? After, enjoy your reception in The Bay Room & Garden.
Typical Cost: Starts at $6,000.
Capacity: Up to 120 seated guests.
Find The Point at The Point or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Los Willows Wedding Estate – Fallbrook
Los Willows Wedding Estate is a breathtaking outdoor venue featuring a lake, foothills, and meadows.
With two magical outdoor sites to tie the knot and a newly renovated pavilion, this is truly a fairy tale setting.
The Lakeside Lawn is a lush site perfect for an outdoor ceremony. Make a grand entrance “down the aisle” by boat!
The Meadows is a charming yet grand spot complete with a rustic bridge, large oak trees, a wooden arbor, and fountains.
The newly renovated Pavilion has replaced its plastic tent with a built-in structure including expansive garage door style windows for an outdoor yet indoor vibe.
Bonus: After you and your new spouse say “I do,” you can take a romantic boat ride around the lake with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. What a way to start your honeymoon!
Typical Cost: Starts at $5,000.
Capacity: Up to 250 seated guests.
Find Los Willows Wedding Estate at Los Willows or check out Facebook or Instagram.
