There’s so much to love about San Diego, California.
With natural scenic beauty that’s just ripe for Instagram pics, almost year-round ideal sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and historic buildings… if you’re getting hitched in San Diego, you have options up to your ears!
According to ABC10 News, weddings in San Diego typically average around $38,000, which is higher than the national average of $33,000. While you’re planning, you’ll find that venue rentals tend to be the biggest chunk of your wedding finances, and in San Diego, you’ll be amazed at what you can find that will fit your budget.
Take a look at what we consider to be the best wedding venues in San Diego- there are a plethora of reasons to love each one!
FruitCraft
Are you and your sweetheart into the artisanal beverage scene? There’s a lot to love about FruitCraft, one of San Diego’s premier urban distilleries working some funky fermented magic with kombucha, ciders, meads, and natural wines.
FruitCraft offers its tasting room and Love Patio for wedding celebrations that are both affordable and intimate!
Their rental includes gorgeous live-edge tables, chairs, serving and bar staff, and other amenities!
For a tropical, indie backdrop, they also have a LOVE Greenhouse for guests to explore and take all the dreamy, botanical pics. This airy locale honors all things that grow, which makes it the perfect venue for your wedding celebrations.
Their motto is “better together”… and for your big day, what’s sweeter than that?
Price Range: No venue fee, but food and beverage minimums.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find FruitCraft at FruitCraft or check out Instagram.
The Ultimate Skybox at Diamond View Tower
With breathtaking views, the Ultimate Skybox is the perfect choice for a modern bride who wants that epic rooftop skyline photo.
With direct views into Petco Park (hello, Padres fans!) you can even see the San Diego Bay and Coronado! This venue is also located super close to the airport, which is convenient for those out-of-town guests.
The floor plan can be outfitted for intimate celebrations as well as larger gatherings. There are tons of amenities, including a full culinary kitchen, outdoor patio and fireplace, and a large built-in limestone bar, just to name a few.
And bonus: there’s no corkage fee for bringing your own beverages! This is a great way to save costs, too.
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 160 guests.
Find The Ultimate Skybox at Diamond View Tower at The Ultimate Skybox, or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa
For the ultimate SoCal hacienda resort vibes, consider getting hitched at the expansive Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa.
To soothe those pre-wedding jitters, take the bridal party into the award-winning full-service spa for a relaxing massage, or take a dip in the saltwater pool and take in some gorgeous views.
10 acres of lush gardens and beautiful Spanish terra cotta architecture provide a stunning backdrop for your ceremony.
Are you having a smaller or more intimate wedding? Choose any one of their many floor plans that can be tailored precisely to your wedding vision.
The Estancia is a botanical boho wedding dream come true!
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 210 guest rooms and suites.
Find the Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa at Estancia La Jolla or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Thursday Club
For a secluded neighborhood vibe, The Thursday Club is where it’s at!
It’s a woman-owned, LGBTQIA+ friendly wedding venue that sports incredible ocean views and an intimate garden setting for ceremonies.
Because of its residential location, all events do end by 9 pm (with guests vacating by 9:30 pm) but that doesn’t mean the party has to stop- it’s close to everything San Diego nightlife has to offer, so party on!
For your big day, the entire property is yours to explore. There’s a romantic clubhouse with a stunning ocean view, as well as a lush garden that’s filled with green arbors, paths, and trellises.
For the reception, The Thursday Club is also BYOB and BYO dessert, so have fun personalizing your flavors!
Price Range: $3500 – $5300.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests with a dance floor, 175 without, and up to 250 standing.
Find The Thursday Club at The Thursday Club or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Beach babes, this one is for you!
Being near the water is a super romantic and timeless feeling, so it’s no surprise so many brides crave that beachy, effortless, and natural aesthetic for their big event.
The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is a tropical beachside oasis that will give you the white sands for your ceremony and elegant tropical Polynesian vibes for your reception, along with comprehensive packages.
These wedding packages have it all! With tons of personalized options, you can be sure to customize every single detail to make your big day truly yours!
Best of all, you and your partner get a complimentary night in one of the suites!
Soak it all in at the gorgeous Catamaran Resort.
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 350 guests.
Find the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa at Catamaran Resort or check out Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The Pannikin Building
Modern, chic, industrial, and historical elements all come together in the Gaslamp Quarter at The Pannikin Building.
As far as venues go, we love the Pannikin Building for its charming landmark quality as well as its flexibility in transforming the space to suit every type of wedding. The historic exposed brick walls will provide you with a blank slate to go nuts with the decor!
They offer a list of preferred vendors, as many venues do, but welcome all licensed and insured vendors. Given the awesome food and drink scene in San Diego, this would be a smart move if there’s a specific SoCal flavor you’re looking for.
And how fun are those 8-foot custom mobile bars?
Price Range: $1,500 – $5,000.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find The Pannikin Building at The Pannikin Building or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The New Children’s Museum
Tap into your inner kid at the New Children’s Museum, located in the heart of San Diego!
Museums provide unforgettable settings for wedding ceremonies, and the New Children’s Museum is no different. The contemporary aesthetic shines here, making it a good choice for a quirky couple looking to capture that levity (and laughter) in their wedding photos.
Let your imagination roam free at this massive venue. With unfettered access to the exhibits and art installations, you and your wedding guests can enjoy feeling the spark of creativity along with celebrating your love.
You can also have your ceremony in The Children’s Museum Park if you’re looking for a unique outdoor space!
Price Range: $3,500 – $6,000.
Capacity: Up to 1,000 guests.
Find The New Children’s Museum at The New Children’s Museum or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Westgate Hotel
Craving some classic French-style romantic luxury for your wedding day? Look no further than The Westgate Hotel, located in downtown San Diego. This elegant wedding venue is the place to go to fulfill your fairytale vision and bask in old-school Versailles charm.
There are several spaces at the Hotel that are available for your ceremony: choose from the Versailles Ballroom, the Fontainebleau Room, or the Riviera Room (and more!) to suit your celebration’s needs.
The Westgate Hotel is known for its professionalism and hospitality, so if you want to get pampered, don’t hesitate to book a tour!
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find The Westgate Hotel at Westgate Hotel or check out Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Bali Hai Restaurant
One of the most memorable things about a wedding has got to be the food! People will always remember how delicious the food at a wedding was, so why not kick things off with deliciously unforgettable Polynesian cuisine?
At Bali Hai, you’ll be served authentic flavors with a side of the city skyline and views of the bay!
There are three private event rooms to transport you to the South Pacific, with attentive and polished staff on hand to cater to your every whim.
If you want that tropical oceanside flavor in Southern California, getting married at Bali Hai Restaurant is the way to go!
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Find the Bali Hai Restaurant at Bali Hai Restaurant or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Overlooking the Pacific, this aquarium is conveniently located just north of San Diego in La Jolla.
Celebrate with your guests and everybody’s favorite aquatic animals in this 30,000-square-foot venue.
The Birch Aquarium offers several event spaces for wedding receptions- don’t miss the outdoor patio that comes with a pond and stunning views!
If you and your sweetheart are big fans of the ocean and all of its wonders, you can even arrange a diving show for your wedding where you can watch divers interact with sharks, eels, and fish in their 70,000-gallon tank!
Consider the Birch Aquarium for your San Diego wedding and you’ll have one of the most unforgettable evenings. Plus, you’ll feel good about supporting this non-profit organization and its mission!
Price Range: Starts at $4,900.
Capacity: 300+ guests.
Find the Birch Aquarium at Scripps at Birch Aquarium or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Dana on Mission Bay
For an iconic ceremony, The Dana on Mission Bay is popular for its stunning ocean backdrop with palm trees that seemingly stretch to the heavens. Treat your guests to a breathtaking view of the bay while witnessing your love.
The Dana boasts a beautiful indoor ballroom as well as garden seating if you’ve always wanted an outdoor wedding in San Diego.
We love that only one special event is hosted at a time, giving you the peace of mind and exclusivity to enjoy your wedding day without feeling like the staff is needed elsewhere.
With so many comprehensive and customizable package options, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for at The Dana on Mission Bay!
Range: $1,000 to $2,000.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find The Dana on Mission Bay at The Dana or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Flora
For city brides who are looking for more of a boutique experience, Flora is a trendy, intimate space that also feels vintage.
This gorgeous space in the Gaslamp Quarter has been recently renovated but has kept its signature 1920s architectural feel. Take a look at the chic, rustic design of the space and envision marrying the love of your life under those hanging garden chandeliers.
Flora is a botanical lover’s dream come true! Mother Nature herself can’t contain the love- just look at the explosive floral bouquets and dreamy, bespoke design that turns the space into something sprawling and alive.
Regardless if you go the simple route or outrageously over the top in Flora’s space… trust that it will be completely and utterly yours. The versatility of this beautiful setting is precisely why it made the list!
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Find Flora at Flora or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Mount Woodson Castle
Who *hasn’t* dreamt about getting whisked away and getting married in a literal castle?
This historic venue is located at the base of Mount Woodson and has all the timeless feels of classic love. The venue is surrounded by lush scenery, and the views inside the castle are just as incredible. Lights play off of the exposed stone, giving warmth to the room.
Mount Woodson offers three choices for wedding ceremony sites as well as an exceptional choice of reception space, so you have your pick of scenery!
There’s an all-inclusive wedding package with tons of complimentary details, and they even include “Amy’s Closet” which is chock full of decor for you to choose from.
We don’t know about you, but playing house in a castle sounds like an actual fairytale dream come true!
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: 300+ guests.
Find Mount Woodson Castle at Mt Woodson Castle or check out Facebook or Instagram.
