12 Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in San Diego: Our Top Picks!

Congratulations on your engagement! If you are hoping to get married outdoors in beautiful San Diego, then these venues are guaranteed to satisfy and inspire you.

According to a study by Wedding Report, the average wedding in San Diego costs $40,774. However, San Diego has a diverse offering of wedding venues and some of the most picturesque settings in the country to more than justify the high price.

From luxurious seaside resorts to penthouses above the city lights to classic gardens, there is something for everyone on this list of the best outdoor wedding venues in San Diego!


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Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Situated in Torrey Pines, Estancia la Jolla Hotel & Spa is a great choice for couples seeking an elegant, outdoor venue with hacienda-style architecture.

Featuring lush gardens with flowering bougainvillea, mosaic-covered stairs, terracotta brick patios, and stunning, white-washed walls, this venue invites you in with its warm colors and open spaces.

While Estancia does offer indoor event space, it is the outdoor venues that really stand out:

The Garden Courtyard is an ideal place for your ceremony and can accommodate large wedding parties. It features two grand staircases and over 100 types of plants in the sprawling gardens.

The Olive Lawn is perfect for intimate ceremonies and is surrounded by olive trees that sway gently in the breeze.

The venue offers both ceremony and reception packages for your convenience.

Price Range: From $3,500 for the ceremony only.

Capacity: 420 guests in the Garden Courtyard.

Find Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa at Estancia La Jolla or check out Facebook or  Instagram.

Botanica

For the eclectic bride and groom looking for a wedding venue in San Diego that celebrates their uniqueness in an intimate, private space, Botanica is an excellent choice.

This outdoor venue is a garden oasis nestled in Oceanside, near San Diego. It features gentle, spring-fed waterfalls and ponds, bamboo-lined paths, old-growth fig and willow trees, intimate gardens, and ample shade.

There are three outdoor ceremony sites, but “The Tree” is especially beautiful, providing dreamy views of the ponds and the shade of a massive fig tree.

You can also have your reception in the gardens with your choice of refined decorations, including billowing drapery, fruitwood Chiavari chairs, and blooming floral arrangements.

The venue offers farm-to-table catering and handcrafted menus. You can also rent a variety of add-on decorations, such as a vintage VW camper van!

Price Range: $12,500 and up.

Capacity: Up to 300 guests.

Find Botanica at Botanica or check out Facebook or Instagram.

San Diego Botanic Garden

If you want to get married surrounded by manicured gardens and warm California sunshine, then San Diego Botanic Garden is a perfect match. You will hardly need any decorations because the gardens are so beautiful!

There are a variety of ceremony and reception venues, depending on the size of your guest list:

Lined by plants and old-growth trees, the Victorian Gazebo Lawn is the largest space and is a great choice for both daytime and evening nuptials.

Located in a secluded area of the gardens, the Waterfall View Deck is the perfect spot for an intimate wedding ceremony. It can accommodate 30 guests and features a beautiful backdrop filled with greenery. 

Price Range: $3,000 and up.

Capacity: 300 seated guests on the Victorian Gazebo Lawn.

Find San Diego Botanic Garden at San Diego Botanic Garden or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa

Located near San Diego in Carlsbad, the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa perfectly combines the elegance of contemporary Mediterranean architecture with magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.

This seaside resort features several outdoor wedding venues:

The Ocean Blue Lawn offers panoramic views of the ocean and gardens filled with tropical and regional plants.

However, smaller parties can have a ceremony on the Sunset Terrace, which can accommodate 130 guests and is a great place to enjoy the famed Southern California weather.

The resort can provide many amenities and services, including state-of-the-art AV equipment for showing your slideshow, an installed stage, a PA system, and spotlights. 

Price Range: From $1,500 for the ceremony only.

Capacity: Up to 800 seated guests.

Find the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa at Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

For couples seeking a timeless, luxurious outdoor space surrounded by nature and greenery, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is a perfect choice.

Located in Rancho Santa Fe, just outside of San Diego, this Spanish-Colonial-style venue offers an in-house sommelier, relaxing spa, 5-star service, and a wedding specialist. 

Surrounded by white and pink bougainvillea, the Croquet Lawn is over 10,000 square feet and has room for up to 500 guests. Depending on your needs, the venue can provide a tent over the lawn or let you enjoy the open air.

The Sunrise Patio is a stunning place for your ceremony, featuring a wooden trellis, climbing roses, bubbling fountains, and exotic hibiscus flowers.

Whether you have an intimate wedding day or a massive affair, you can create your dream wedding at Rancho Valencia!

Price Range: From $150 per guest.

Capacity: Up to 500 guests on the Croquet Lawn or 150 guests on the Sunrise Patio.

Find Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa at Rancho Valencia or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse

If you are seeking a waterfront wedding with a one-of-a-kind backdrop, Tom Ham’s Lighthouse should be at the top of your list! 

Located along the San Diego Bay, this venue offers dramatic ocean views and the San Diego skyline in the distance. However, what sets this outdoor spot apart from others is the sculpted metal archway created by Christopher Puzio. Your ceremony pictures will look incredible! 

The California Room can provide an indoor reception, but if you want to remain outdoors you can opt for the Harbor View Room. This event space includes a private patio with views across the bay; perfect for a cocktail party! 

It also has a built-in bar and your guests will love the food provided by Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, which is also a gourmet restaurant!

Price Range: From $65 per guest.

Capacity: 230 guests.

Find Tom Ham’s Lighthouse at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Lot 8

This venue is a great choice for the couple that wants to throw an amazing backyard party with everyone they know and just have a great time!

Centrally located in San Diego’s Hotel Circle, Lot 8 is the laidback venue of your dreams. It is a blank canvas that features a massive open space and a customizable floorplan. 

The inclusive wedding package includes an hour for the ceremony, five hours for the reception, round guest tables, wooden folding chairs, an assortment of decorations, linens, full-service, eco-friendly wedding catering, an organic drink station, wedding photography, a DJ, and one month of wedding coordination!

Price Range: From $2,500 for Fridays.

Capacity: Up to 300 guests.

Find Lot 8 at Lot 8 or check out Facebook or Instagram.

San Diego Mission Bay Resort

For a destination wedding feel without leaving the San Diego area, San Diego Mission Bay Resort is an excellent choice.

If you’re a beach-loving couple, why not say your vows barefoot on the beach beneath palm trees with a soft sea breeze rustling your hair?

Or, you can have your ceremony at the Garden by the Bay and say “I do” beneath an archway formed by tropical palms with breathtaking views of Mission Bay.

The team of expert wedding planners will help make your wedding dreams come true. They offer custom-designed wedding cakes, floral services, transportation, and catering.

San Diego Mission Bay also offers discounted rates for guests staying at the resort during the wedding festivities. 

Price Range: From $2,000 for elopement packages.

Capacity: Up to 600 guests at the Bayside Terrace.

Find San Diego Mission Bay Resort at Mission Bay Resort or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Skybox at Diamond View

Located in downtown San Diego, on the top floor of Diamond View Tower, Skybox is the perfect spot for couples who want a chic, urban venue with amazing city views.

The views here truly are incredible! In fact, you can see directly into the Padre’s stadium!

You can have your reception on the outdoor patio and then enjoy a reception indoors. The venue features ceiling-to-floor bay windows, a built-in audio system, a 15-foot outdoor fireplace, a full kitchen, and a large bar area.

The venue is modern and requires few decorations. Skybox also makes a point to note that they do not charge a corkage fee. 

Price Range: $5,000 and up.

Capacity: 200 standing guests, 110 seated guests, or 90 seated guests with a dance floor.

Find Skybox at Diamond View at The Ultimate Skybox or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Loews Coronado Bay Resort

For couples who want a black-tie wedding in a beach setting, Loews Coronado Bay Resort is a dreamy choice. Located on 15 acres of land with views of the ocean and the San Diego Skyline, this resort offers everything needed for a luxurious wedding day. The guest accommodations are also incredible! 

There are five outdoor ceremony venues to choose from, including the Pointe which provides uninterrupted views of the Marina and San Diego Bay.

The many gardens are also the perfect place for a rehearsal dinner, outdoor reception, or bridal shower.

The Bay Terrace provides ample space for a ceremony or reception and includes multiple levels plus firepits. 

Price Range: $2,000 and up.

Capacity: 400 seated guests or 600 standing guests on the Bay Terrace.

Find Loews Coronado Bay Resort at Loews Coronado Bay Resort or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Sacred Mountain Julian

Situated just outside of San Diego, on 61 acres of picturesque, California hills, Sacred Mountain Julian is one of the most romantic outdoor venues available. It features 360-degree views of the surrounding oak-covered hills and fresh, country air.

The property is divided into two ranches: Sacred Mountain Retreat and Sacred Mountain Private Ranch. Regardless of which you choose, the venue will provide everything you need, including private dressing rooms, complimentary décor as well as set-up and break-down of venue locations.

The standout outdoor venue is the Sunset Plateau, which is a breathtaking ceremony location with incredible views of the surrounding hills.  

Price Range: $11,000 and up.

Capacity: 150 guests in high season and 100 guests in low season.

Find Sacred Mountain Julian at Sacred Mountain Julian or check out Facebook or Instagram

Lavender & Olive

Nestled among olive groves with views of the surrounding farmland and hills, Lavender & Olive is an idyllic rustic wedding venue with a modern twist. And, it is only 40 minutes from Downtown San Diego in Ramona!

The happy couple can say “I do” in an intimate olive grove cooled by the dappled shade, and guests can dance beneath the endless sky and stars on a 16,000-square-foot patio surrounded by lavender and oaks.

While you are allowed to bring vendors and decorations of your choosing, Lavender & Olive can provide a bar made from a converted horse trailer as well as many vendor recommendations.

The rental fee includes access to the entire venue, which maximizes privacy on your big day. 

Price Range: From $5,000 for a 10-hour rental.

Capacity: Up to 200 guests.

Find Lavender & Olive at Lavender & Olive or check out Facebook or Instagram.

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