A wedding in dreamy Northern California is a truly amazing experience. However, with so many venues to choose from, picking a wedding location that fits your aesthetic, budget, and dreams can feel daunting!
According to a 2021 study by Wedding Report, the average wedding in California costs $35,274, which is to be expected considering the state’s relatively high cost of living.
Yet California also hosts the most weddings out of any state in the USA! From intimate terraces in Big Sur to luxurious vineyards in the heart of wine country to penthouses in San Francisco, this list features the best wedding venues in Northern California.
The Pearl
If you are looking for an urban wedding venue with a rooftop view, the Pearl is the perfect choice in the Bay Area. It is located in the trendy Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco and offers industrial chic with top-notch lighting and audio systems.
You can choose from four different venues within the building or a combination of several, including the Main Floor, the Mezzanine, the Rooftop, and School Night, which is an in-house bar.
The Rooftop provides stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and the Oakland Bridge, lounge furniture, bistro lights, a rooftop garden, and a floor made of Italian Porcelain tile.
Price Range: Starting at $12,500 for Sunday through Thursday.
Capacity: Up to 800 guests.
Find The Pearl at The Pearl or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Hibernia
Originally constructed in 1892, the Hibernia’s dramatic, Neoclassical Revival architecture and vaulted ceilings will simply take your breath away. This is undoubtedly the best place in Northern California for huge indoor weddings!
Centrally located near San Francisco’s famous Fillmore District and City Hall, The Hibernia is the largest historic wedding venue in the city and arguably the most glamorous. The grand dome with its gilded features and stained glass feels like something from New York’s Gilded Age.
The building features four separate venues, but the Main Hall is the best place for your reception because of the incredible craftsmanship.
Price Range: Starting at $18,000 for the Main Hall or $25,000 for the entire building from Sunday to Friday.
Capacity: Up to 1,500 guests in the Main Hall or 2,000 guests in the entire building.
Find The Hibernia at The Hibernia or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Hans Fahden Vineyards
Located in the rolling hills of Calistoga, Hans Fahden Vineyards is a dreamy destination for couples seeking a Napa Valley wedding.
The venue takes casual elegance to the next level with its winding vines, ancient oak trees, and unpretentious design features that highlight the natural beauty of the area.
But, what sets this venue apart from other vineyard options is the rustic wine caves that serve as a one-of-a-kind location for an intimate reception or rehearsal dinner.
The vineyards offer all-inclusive packages as well as a la carte options.
Pro tip: The gardens are in full bloom in May and June so if you love a good bloom, this is the best time to rent!
Price Range: Starting at $9,000 a la carte or $21,300 all-inclusive.
Capacity: Up to 100 guests.
Find Hans Fahden Vineyards at Hans Fahden Wedding or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Legion of Honor
While known for its impressive collection of art (it houses The Thinker by Auguste Rodin), the Legion of Honor is also one of the most elegant and dramatic wedding spaces in all of Northern California.
Located on 100 acres of stunning parkland, the museum offers sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, crashing ocean waves, and the city skyline.
The Neoclassical architecture and marble sculptures serve as a stunning backdrop to a black-tie wedding.
While you can rent the entire building and grounds, it is also possible to reserve individual rooms such as the Rodin Galleries or the Theater.
Price Range: Starting at $8,500.
Capacity: Up to 600 guests outdoors and 300 guests indoors.
Find the Legion of Honor at Legion of Honor or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium
Located on Cannery Row, in historic Monterey, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a Bay Area gem. Not only are the exhibits educational, but they are beautifully designed with otherworldly lighting which serves as stunning and interesting backdrops to a one-of-a-kind wedding.
You can have your ceremony overlooking the wild waves and tide pools and then transition to a cocktail reception in the colorful “Jellies” exhibit.
Host dancing in the “Open Sea” exhibit, which features sea turtles, tuna, Mola-mola, and occasionally a rehabilitating Great White Shark swimming across 90-foot windows!
Price Range: Starting at $900.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests indoors or 300 guests outdoors.
Find the Monterey Bay Aquarium at Monterey Bay Aquarium or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
If you are seeking a luxurious city wedding with all the trappings of black-tie elegance, then the Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square is the choice for you.
Located in bustling Union Square, this historic hotel has hosted Hollywood stars, celebrities, and royalty.
It offers 35 event spaces, but the Golden Gate is the most stunning indoor space. With views of the entire city through floor-to-ceiling windows, access via five glass elevators and a soaring location on the 32nd floor, the Golden Gate room is truly one of the most beautiful Northern California wedding venues!
Price Range: From $225 per guest.
Capacity: Up to 1500 guests.
Find The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square at Westin Hotels and Resorts or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Bodega Bay Secret Gardens
Bodega Bay Secret Gardens is simply the most romantic, fairytale-like venue in Northern California.
This well-established wedding venue is located just north of Sonoma Valley and features towering redwood trees, lush ferns, cherry trees, gazebos draped in wispy gauze, and secret garden paths.
The venue rental includes access to the bridal cottage, a treehouse, the redwood bar, the dance deck, firepits, a covered reception area, and the rustic kitchen.
While the venue does not offer accommodation, there are tons of stunning places nearby.
Price Range: $9,000 for Sundays and weekdays.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find Bodega Bay Secret Gardens at Bodega Bay Secret Gardens or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Resort at Squaw Creek
For couples dreaming of a luxurious Lake Tahoe wedding in the winter or summer months, the Resort at Squaw Creek is the perfect venue. Nestled in Squaw Valley, the resort offers a contemporary aesthetic with world-class Hyatt hospitality.
Guests will love the delicious food, comfortable accommodations, and expansive views of the surrounding mountains from the outdoor ceremony location.
While the resort has several wedding venue options, the Grand Sierra Ballroom and the Pavilion are top-notch.
This is an ideal venue for a destination wedding or even an entire wedding weekend.
Price Range: Starting at $4,500.
Capacity: Up to 500 guests in the Grand Sierra Ballroom and 300 guests at the Pavilion.
Find the Resort at Squaw Creek at Resort at Squaw Creek or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Wind and Sea
There are few places in the world more stunning than Big Sur, but there is an unfortunate lack of wedding venues available there. Don’t worry – Wind and Sea is one of the most gorgeous wedding venues in Northern California and will give you beautiful views of the Big Sur coastline.
This intimate wedding venue is situated on a unique property with a 3,000-square-foot home, a gourmet kitchen, twin copper soak tubs with views of the Pacific Ocean, an amphitheater with a firepit, and decks with gorgeous views.
While the house can accommodate up to 12 overnight guests, this waterfront venue has a capacity of 70 people for the ceremony and wedding reception.
Price Range: Starting at $3,000.
Capacity: Up to 70 guests.
Find Wind and Sea at Wind and Sea Big Sur or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Auberge du Soleil
If you are looking for spectacular views of Napa Valley, an elegant outdoor setting, and Michelin Star-rated dining, then Auberge du Soleil is your dream wedding location. This venue truly provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one your guests will not soon forget.
Tucked between olive groves and winding grapevines, this is the perfect venue in Northern California for outdoor weddings. You can choose to say “I do” on an expansive terrace overlooking the Mayacamas Mountains or exchange vows in a blooming garden.
The accommodations are inspired by the sophisticated ease of the South of France with a Northern California twist.
Price Range: $7,500 facility fee plus a $15,000 food and beverage minimum on Fridays and Sundays from November to March.
Capacity: Up to 120 guests for an outdoor reception.
Find Auberge du Soleil at Auberge Resorts or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Saratoga Springs
Celebrate your wedding day beneath magical California coastal redwoods surrounded by your loved ones at Saratoga Springs.
Located only 25 minutes from Downtown San Jose, this rustic wedding venue is the ideal location for all-outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions.
The venue provides clear pricing and a selection of wedding packages depending on your budget. Saratoga Springs does require you to choose in-house catering, but the food is absolutely fantastic and reasonably priced considering its Bay Area location.
You can choose from several venues for the reception and ceremony spots, but the Redwood Grove is a favorite venue and speaks to the natural beauty of Northern California.
Price Range: $2,950 for the facility fee from Monday to Thursday.
Capacity: Up to 125 guests in the Redwood Grove and 180 guests in the Cathedral Grove.
Find Saratoga Springs at Saratoga Springs or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Montalvo Arts Center
If you are a California native, then you have probably heard of the Montalvo Arts Center and possibly attended a wedding there. It is one of the premier wedding venues in the Bay Area and is home to Villa Montalvo, a breathtaking Mediterranean-style house with gardens reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside.
The Love Temple is an ideal location to take photos and the acres of land surrounding the villa have hiking trails for the adventurous couple and their guests.
The rental fee includes access to vintage furniture dating back to the 1920s, exclusive use of the entire space, a commercial kitchen, and a wood-tone dance floor.
Price Range: From $17,000 for full-service weddings.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Switzer Farm
Switzer Farm combines the charm of a Victorian home with the laidback beauty of Mendicino’s sweeping coastline.
The Northern California equivalent of a beach wedding, this venue is perched on 22 acres of bluffs, above the dramatic Pacific Ocean, with views of pelicans and Western Gulls soaring above the waves.
Switzer Farm is completely secluded, but only a 10-minute walk from the quaint town of Westport. The fields overlooking the ocean provide a captivating view and the golden hue of the grass in Summer or Fall is all the decoration you need.
Price Range: $20,000 for a three-day rental of the entire venue.
Capacity: Up to 99 guests.
Find Switzer Farm at Switzer Farm or check out Facebook or Instagram.
