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26+ Best Santa Cruz Wedding Venues Ultimate Guide to the 26+ Best Santa Cruz Wedding Venues (updated 2024) If you are interested in learning the best Santa Cruz wedding venues you have come to the right place! In many ways, Santa Cruz is the quintessential Californian town with a mix of the coast, mountains, and local charm. For those ready to tie the knot in Santa Cruz, you will find many excellent locations to host your wedding regardless of whether you’re eloping or choosing to have a large celebration. Check out some of my personal favorite Santa Cruz wedding venues below.  Nestldown (Los Gatos) Packages: $9,500 – $28,000 Just a short ten-minute drive north of Santa Cruz sits Nestldown, a place that aims to provide extraordinary experiences. Rental gives you and up to 200 guests private access to all 36 redwood strewn acres including a 20 passenter train, life size chess set, numerous photo ops, and beautiful gardens. You’ll also receive a dedicated four-person event planning staff to customize your wedding and reception over nine hours.  Check out my Nestldown weddings guide for more info OVY Camp (San Gregorio) Rental Fee : $13,000 – $19,000 (rate includes 130 beds between lodging accomodations)Rental Period: Friday at 11am – Sunday at 1pmCapacity: up to 200 guests OVY Camp and Event Center can be rented by the weekend (exclusive use) for an incredibly reasonable price. It is one of the more flexible and affordable redwood wedding venues in the Bay Area. They provide the backdrop – you choose the rest. You are not tied down to a list of caterers, florists, or event suppliers – assemble your own vendor team at no additional cost.  Check out my OVY Camp wedding guide for more info https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-9bvDRopSo Seymour Marine Discovery Center Rental fee: $3,350 Whether you’re a fan of museums or not, you’ll find the Seymour Center to be one of the most fun Santa Cruz wedding venues. This package includes expansive views of Monterey Bay, all-day use of the La Feliz Room & Deck, private use of the aquarium and Shipwreck Deck after 5 p.m., and a staffed aquarium touch table in the exhibit hall during the reception for your guests. It is a beautiful setting with great options for stunning photos. Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History Rental fee: $2,875 – $5,175 (ceremony & reception package)  Art lovers will rejoice at a wedding at this Santa Cruz venue. With several ceremony locations including a rooftop sculpture garden, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History can host up to 250 people. The full package includes nine hours; however, shorter ceremony & brunch or reception-only options are available for lower rates and up to 5 hour rentals For a more thorough breakdown of everything, check out their online brochure Kennolyn (Soquel) Package: starting at $11,000 With Kennolyn’s wedding package, the entire Hilltop Hacienda Estate is yours for a ceremony and reception. The package includes a wedding coordinator, music, tables, décor, and a wide array of perks. They also offer excellent catering packages. If you want a serene, peaceful location, this will be at the top of your list.  Check out my Kennolyn weddings guide for more info Waterfall Lodge (Ben Lomond) Rental Fee: $7,800 – $22,900 Waterfall Lodge is a gorgeous redwood forest wedding venue in the Santa Cruz mountains. It offers a choice of two sites for weddings wide terrace and patio areas for cocktail parties and dining in the middle of uplifting redwood scents. A reclaimed wood barn makes up the dancing area and some chic 1970’s style cabins for accommodation—summer camp style. It is incredibly serene, and if you hadn’t deduced from the name, there is a gorgeous waterfall just to make it extra special and one of the most romantic redwood forest wedding venues. Check out my Waterfall Lodge weddings guide for more info CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS WEDDING VENUES IN SANTA CRUZ Inn at Pasatiempo Ceremony Fee : $1,500Reception Fee : $275 – $800 Here you’ll find the recently renovated Wedding Garden that features a lush lawn circled by a terrace featuring redwood bark décor and evergreen pear trees. The Inn at Pasatiempo also features indoor seating for up to 150 guests with three different rooms that can be booked for a reception dinner. A number of buffet menu packages are also available.  Sydalyn Hill (Felton) Rental fee: Submit contact form for info A family run farm is the setting for this venue, which offers weddings between May and September each year. Offered only on Saturdays, a Sydalyn Hill wedding features rustic décor amidst walnut trees. Orchards, a garden, cabin, and barn are all available for photos.  Felton Guild (Felton) Rental fee: contact the venue for the package This venue offers a serene setting and is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Therefore, if you love the outdoors, this peaceful, lovely location is an excellent choice. A beautifully planted space serves as the banquet area. More than 200 people may easily fit in the reception space. Around 100 guests can be seated on the cathedral’s redwood benches and seats, and there is plenty of standing area and capacity for additional chairs if there is a need.  Check out my Redwood wedding venues guide for other similar Bay Area wedding venues  Shadowbrook (Capitola) Ceremony fee: $250Rental fee: $200 – $2,000 Shadowbrook restaurant is located in nearby Capitola and probably the most romantic restaurant in the county. There are a number of options for location but the Creekside Patio is a personal favorite. The restaurant’s trolley is a must-have photo for the happy couple.  Secret Garden Ceremonies (Santa Cruz County) Rental fee: $3,850 – $7,850 Specializing in micro-weddings of up to 40 people, there are two main areas for ceremonies and celebrations, the Secret Redwood Retreat and the Secret Garden Estate. Roaring Camp Railroads (Felton) Ceremony $700 – $2,950Reception $4,500 Create your own magical day with Roaring Camp Railroads. While there are a number of options, the most charming takes you and 100 guests round trip on a 100 year old

18+ Best Half Moon Bay Wedding Venues Ultimate Guide to the Best 18+ Half Moon Bay Wedding Venues (with pricing and photos) If you are looking for the best Half Moon Bay wedding venues you have come to the right place! Half Moon Bay is a coastal city just a short drive south of San Francisco. Known for its incredible surfing, there are many opportunities here to host a wedding with or without ocean views. Those desiring a beach wedding or cliff side location will find many great Half Moon Bay wedding venues below in addition to some that are a short drive away from the coast, offering a variety of options to choose from. The Mountain Terrace (Woodside) Rental Fee + F&B Min: $23,000+Deposit : $500Capacity: up to 300 seated guestsHours: 8 hour rental period A combination indoor and outdoor venue, The Mountain Terrace offers a stunning redwood grove for your ceremony, providing one of the prettiest Half Moon Bay wedding venues background. Up to 120 guests can be seated inside with up to 300 outside. Fee includes day of the event rental and a one-hour rehearsal.  Check out my Mountain Terrace wedding walkthrough for more details photo by Ian Chin Photography photo by Ian Chin Photography The Hastings House Garden Weddings Rental fees: Inquire for rates Unable to decide whether to host a beach wedding or a beautiful garden ceremony? Why not have the best of both worlds with this popular Half Moon Bay wedding venue? Located next to the ocean, The Hastings House boasts a garden that has been maintained by the same person since 1984, carefully cultivated to offer blooming flowers throughout the year. This is a great location for smaller weddings in Half Moon Bay since they only offer the space for ceremonies. Check out my Hastings House Garden Weddings walkthrough for more info Ritz Carlton Rental fee: Inquire for custom quote When you book your wedding at the Ritz Carlton, you know you’ll get top notch service. This property features a total of three locations for ceremonies and two for receptions. However, my favorite is the Mar Vista Lawn, a gorgeous 7,500 square foot alfresco space perfect for pairing a ceremony with a cocktail reception. In addition to weddings, I have photographed several proposals here, and the nearby Manhattan Beach, that make this one of more popular locations for weddings in Half Moon Bay I have photographed in. Thomas Fogarty Winery (Woodside) Rental Fee: starting at $16,00. Expect to spend $70K +Rental Period: 6 hours, with additional hours available at an extra cost of $250 per 30 minutes.Capacity: 200 guestsHours: 2PM – 11PM Located just east of Half Moon Bay, this spectacular location is perched 2,000 feet above Silicon Valley and makes for one of the most breathtaking views in the area. Rental gives you use of four locations for nine hours. The Pavillion is the feature here with 4,000 square feet suspended high above the chardonnay vineyard. This is personally one of my favorite wedding venues in Half Moon Bay. Check out my Thomas Fogarty Winery wedding walkthrough for more info Kohl Mansion (Burlingame) Rental Fee + F&B Min for 100 guests: $33,000+Capacity: up to 150 guests Coupled with versatile event spaces, a wedding at Kohl Mansion offers event spaces that includes the great hall, grand staircase, and the garden courtyard. Overall, this wedding venue mixes a historical location with elegance, versatility, and the perfect scenery for couples to tie the knot.  Check out my Kohl Mansion wedding guide for more info Long Branch Farms Packages: Inquire for rates Long Branch Farms is one of the most unique options in California and is sure to be a fun setting for your special day. Created in the style of an old western town with a “main street” of buildings, there are tons of photo opportunities. Ceremony locations include a meadow or country chapel, and the expansive property can host up to 500 guests, making this one of the larger Half Moon Bay wedding venues. Domenico Winery (San Carlos) Domenico Winery offers a similar beauty and ambiance of a classic Napa winery located a short distance from San Francisco. The 6,200 sq ft. provides plentiful space to dance, eat, and drink with all your guests, making it the perfect reception space (although they do offer ceremonies as well) Check out my Domenico Winery wedding guide for more info La Costanera La Costanera is a modern Peruvian fusion restaurant in the heart of Half Moon Bay. They actually moved from their smaller storefront that overlooked the Pacific Ocean and moved into a much larger and more accommodating location during Covid, so this location is still new! It has stunning decor inside and offers 2 levels, 2 bars, and stunning views for your larger reception. This place is also one of the best Peruvian restaurants in the Bay Area in addition to being one of the newer Half Moon Bay wedding venues. CONTACT YOUR HALF MOON BAY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER Pulgas Water Temple (Redwood City) Rental Fee: between $550 – $600 for up to 2 hoursCapacity: contact for capacity Now the temple stands tall at the end of a reflecting pool lined with lush green cypress trees. This is a perfect venue for all kinds of ceremonies if you want to keep it minimalist and private.  Check out my Pulgas Water Temple wedding guide for more information photo by Ian Chin Photography Oceano Hotel & Spa Rental fee: $1,500 – $3,500 Pair class and elegance with a small town feel with Oceano Hotel & Spa’s wedding packages. The Wedding Garden provides a romantic harbor setting with cypresses and a white arbor while the Grand Ballroom features 4,400 square feet of space. There are plenty of dining packages as well. Depending on the venue you select, up to 300 guests can be accommodated at one of the most regal Half Moon Bay wedding venues.  Douglas Beach House Rental fee: $1,500 (9 hours) A great reception location on Miramar Beach, Douglas Beach House’s professional staff is happy to consider every detail in creating

27+ Best Marin County Wedding Venues The Ultimate Guide to the 27+ Best Marin County Wedding Venues(complete with pricing, photos, and videos) If you are looking for the best Marin County wedding venues, you are in luck! This is an ultimate guide to some of the best wedding venues in Marin County and outlines a variety of settings for your celebration! If you wanting something more casual, a wedding in Muir Woods is one of the more popular ideas for Marin County wedding venues, but read below for others that you may not have heard of!  Cavallo Point (Marin) Rental fee: In-season $10,500–$12,000 / Off-season $7,000–$9,500Service: 26% admin fee + 8.25% California sales taxCapacity range: Up to 250 guestsMenu pricing: $240–$320 per personKids menu: $45 per childLate-night stations: $35 per person Of all the Marin County wedding venues, this one has my favorite view with a beautiful backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge amidst rolling hills. Couples will find six venues to choose from that can host up to 250 people at this venue with one of the best views in Marin County. Check out my guide on how to plan a Cavallo Point Lodge wedding for more info If you’d like to see a real wedding from this venue, check out this full gallery from a Cavallo Point wedding photo by Ian Chin Photography photo by Ian Chin Photography Mill Valley Community Center (Mill Valley) Rental: starting at $3,332 to $6,356 for up to 8 hours (extra hrs @ $260 to $300/hr)Capacity: up to 285 seated, 400 standing guests Mill Valley Community Center is one of the more affordable Marin County wedding venues. The Cascade Room features a cathedral ceiling and wood floors with a built-in sound system and can hold up to 285 seated with a dining setup and can also hold up to 400 standing. Residents of Mill Valley receive a small discount. There is an option for ceremonies in the redwoods nearby at Old Mill Park.  Check out my Mill Valley Community Center wedding guide for more info photo by Ian Chin Photography Old Mill Park (Mill Valley) Rental fee: $20 – $365 / hour Outdoor seating an a raised stage at this quiet Redwood Park is perfect for a small gathering for your wedding under the trees. It is one of the only places I know outdoors that offers seating, so this is the perfect choice when considering other guests,. The seating is roughly 25 feet away so having a mic would be helpful if the guests are going to be seated. Popular after the ceremony here is to have a reception at Outdoor Art Club or Mill Valley Community Center, making this one of the most popular Marin County wedding venues. Check out my Old Mill Park Wedding Planning Guide photo by Ian Chin Photography photo by Ian Chin Photography Deer Park Villa (Fairfield) Rental fee: Submit contact form for info Specializing in beautiful fairytale weddings, this is one of my favorite outdoor Marin County wedding venues that allows you to exchange vows in a gorgeous redwood grove beneath the towering trees, a perfect backdrop for photos. Have a truly enchanting wedding with a natural theme.  Check out my Deer Park Villa wedding guide for more info Community Congregational Church (Tiburon) Rental fee: contact for pricing This hidden gem offers views of the rolling hills of Tiburon with a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mt. Tamalpais out on the ceremony lawn. photo by Ian Chin Photography The Outdoor Art Club (Mill Valley) 2027 – Saturday $8,500   Friday and Sunday $7,500 2028 – Saturday $9,000   Friday and Sunday $8,000 (Rates are subject to change) The Outdoor Art Club is a Mill Valley nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve and promote natural outdoor spaces. As such, it is one of the more surprisingly affordable Marin County wedding venues centrally located in Mill Valley. It offers a nice secluded location for an outdoor ceremony with a reception following in the century-old clubhouse.  The Haven at Tomales (Tomales) Rental fee: $18,000 for the 2027 Saturday Wedding PackageService: Included in venue rate, covering taxes, gratuity, and service feesCapacity range: Up to 300 guests Located in Tomales, California, The Haven at Tomales is a private coastal ranch wedding venue set on 1,000 acres of preserved farmland featuring sweeping valley views, eucalyptus forests, terraced gardens, and a restored 150-year-old historic barn. The all-inclusive Saturday package includes the Terraced Garden Ceremony Site, Botanical Patio Cocktail Hour, Historic Barn Reception, dressing suites, tables, chairs, bar setup, lounge furniture, lighting, restrooms, parking, WiFi, planning visits, and rehearsal access. Couples receive exclusive use of the property with vendor access beginning at 9 AM and 6 hours of guest event time before 11 PM. The venue accommodates up to 300 guests and requires a wedding planner or coordinator, while allowing outside vendors with approval. Optional enhancements include additional ceremony locations, extended event hours, late-night celebrations, extra seating, and lounge rentals. CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS MARIN COUNTY WEDDING VENUES University of Redlands Marin Campus (San Anselmo) Rental fee: Inquire using this Form The University of the Redlands Marin Campus is truly one of the more unique and stunning Marin County wedding venues with its castle grounds. This San Anselmo wedding venue features six venues; however, my personal favorite is Alexander Hall, a stunning indoor reception area with a stone, castle-like exterior. Geneva Terrace provides another excellent option for your outdoor ceremony or reception with its labyrinth. Check out my University of Redlands Wedding Planning Guide The Clubhouse at Peacock Gap (San Rafael) Capacity range: 80 to 1,200 guests indoors, with outdoor spaces for up to 1,000 to 1,050 guests Located in San Rafael, The Clubhouse at Peacock Gap is a modern and elegant Marin County wedding venue surrounded by manicured landscapes, scenic golf course views, and both indoor and outdoor event spaces. The venue offers over 11,000 square feet of indoor space and over 12,000 square feet of outdoor space, including salons, a trellised patio, event lawn, terrace, and an intimate Clubroom for

15 Best Wedding Venues in Monterey CA The Ultimate Guide to the 15 Best Wedding Venues in Monterey CA(complete with pricing and photos) Couples seeking to take advantage of the Pacific Coast’s splendor for their weddings can take a look at the 15 best wedding venues in Monterey CA. Located in the center of California’s coastline, Monterey is known for its history, architecture, seafood, and local arts scene. For Californians seeking a beautiful place to get married, Monterey provides an excellent choice for a weekend escape. Let’s take a look at some of the top Monterey wedding venues.  Best Times for a Wedding in Monterey CA Old Whaling Station Adobe & Gardens Rental Fee: $1,900 – $2,400Ceremony Only: $1,500 The Old Whaling Station may not sound like the most romantic spot; however, this is a beautiful space indoors and outdoors with flexible rental periods by the hour that focuses on affordable yet elegant weddings. The garden is the perfect spot for beautiful wedding photos, making it one of the more cozy and intimate wedding venues in Monterey CA. The Barns at Cooper Molera Rental Fee: $2,500 – $6,500  Formerly part of a National Trust, this historic property is perfect for a beautiful ceremony. This is one of the more unique wedding venues in Monterey CA in that you can get married in a beautifully restored barn or outdoors beneath oak trees.   Memory Garden (Monterey State Historic Park) Rental Fee: $1,500 – $3,600 (depends on day of the week / number of hours)Processing Fee: $150Refundable deposit: $1,000 This park actually has six different gardens that are excellent choices for an elopement or small wedding. Stevenson Garden is enclosed by a rustic gated adobe wall and is named for author Robert Louis Stevenson. First Theatre Garden and Larkin Garden, in particular, also provide excellent settings for a wedding. The variety in settings makes this one of the more popular wedding venues in Monterey CA that appeals to most. Monterey Beach House Rental Fee: $1,500 – $5,000 Do you dream of a beach wedding? There is perhaps no better place in Monterey than Monterey Beach House. With the peninsula and ocean as a backdrop, this location provides one of the best views compared to other wedding venues in Monterey CA. Sunset ceremonies are popular here and al-inclusive packages mean you can rest assured you’ll be well taken care of.    Perry House Rental Fee: $1,500 – $5,000 The Perry House provides an elegant setting with an ocean view. The Victorian style home was originally built in 1860 and has lush gardens. Renovated specifically to cater to weddings, this is an excellent choice to include in your list of wedding venues in Monterey CA. Jabberwock Inn Rental Fee: $1,000 – $1,500 for 4 hours Small weddings and elopements: $350 – $750 (depends on time of year) One of more popular bed and breakfast wedding venues in Monterey CA, Jabberwock Inn is an elegant craftsman style house that overlooks Monterey Bay. Tall hedges and stone-lined gardens form a perfect place to exchange vows while you can relax in style with your pick of charming rooms. Jabberwock Inn is an excellent choice for a  Monterey wedding venue. Club Del Monte Contact for pricing Located on the campus of the Naval Postgraduate School and part of Hotel Del Monte, named the world’s most elegant seaside resort, this art deco facility is perfect for saying your vows whether you’d prefer the intimate La Novia Room or a spot next to the Roman Plunge Reflecting Pool.  Monterey Stone Chapel Rental Fees: $300 – $750 (depends on number of guests / spaces reserved) You’ll find this chapel located amidst redwoods and gardens next to a turtle-filled pond. For a more intimate wedding, an outdoor gazebo garden wedding is an excellent decision with a quaint, intimate setting to exchange your vows. This is one of the best wedding venues in Monterey CA because the 5 star Tarpy’s Restaurant and steakhouse is right next door! CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS MONTEREY WEDDING PACKAGES Wedding Venues Near Monterey CA Lover’s Point Park (Pacific Grove) Contact for pricing While this community park just outside of Monterey has plenty of things for the community, it also serves as a beautiful site for a wedding. With an ocean view, a small beach, and manicured lawns, there are many different settings for wedding venues in Monterey CA. A rocky outcropping on the edge of the beach makes a great place for photos. A reservation and use permit is required for a wedding.  Check out this Lovers Point Park Wedding to give you an idea of what I’ve done in the past. Big Sur Lodge – Pfeiffer State Park (Big Sur) Packages: $599 – $1,199 Big Sur is extremely popular with nature lovers and this rustic getaway right in the middle of Pfeiffer State Park provides easy walking access to many potential sites. Reserve a cozy cabin and take advantage of a ceremony surrounded by California’s majestic redwoods. The Lodge itself has four different indoor and outdoor venues and wedding consultants, making this one of the best wedding venues near Monterey CA. Huckleberry Hill (Pebble Beach) Contact for pricing This is one of those wedding venues near Monterey CA that you will feel was made for your elopement. Here you’ll find Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve, which is home to several trails with plenty of picturesque spots. Find you and your love immersed in a wooded oasis amongst groves pine and cypress trees. There is a bit of elevation gain and a short hike, so this spot is best for a small, casual no-frills ceremony for outdoor lovers.  Leal Vineyards (Hollister) Packages: $4,000 – $7,500 This facility has excellent options for elopements, small ceremonies, or mid-sized weddings. Leal Vineyards features three different settings and is one of the larger wedding venues in Monterey CA. Say “I do” surrounded by sweeping hills of vineyards at the Lavanda, have a quaint candlelit ceremony in the Barrel Room, or opt for the Olea with twinkling lights and a tunnel of olive trees.  River Road Mansion (Salinas)