24 Best Santa Cruz Wedding Venues

Name: Ian Chin Photography
Address: 762 10th Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94118
Telephone: 415 756 9335

Ultimate Guide to the 24 Best Santa Cruz Wedding Venues
(updated 2023)

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.

1) Nestldown

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.

2) 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.

3) Secret Garden

Rental fee: $1,875
Deposit: $400 non-refundable

Specializing in micro-weddings of up to 30 people, there are six fairytale locations available. A rose-covered courtyard gazebo, classic European-style garden, and rock-strewn waterfall are among the favorites.x

4) Shadowbrook (Capitola)

Ceremony fee: $250
Rental 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.

5) Inn at Pasatiempo

Ceremony Fee : $1,500
Reception 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.

6) Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History

Rental fee: $4,200 – $4,500 (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.

7) Roaring Camp Railroads

Ceremony $700 – $2,950
Reception $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 steam engine to a circle of three generations of redwoods. Follow with a ceremony at Bret Harte Hall with a wide variety of catering options. You’ll have memorable and unique photos with this Santa Cruz wedding venue.

8) Sydalyn Hill

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.

9) Kennolyn

Package: $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.

10) Valencia Hall

Rental fee: $850 – $940 (10 hours)

An elegant Santa Cruz wedding venue bordered by orchards and redwoods, Valencia Hall is incredibly affordable and includes the ability for an outdoor or indoor ceremony followed by an indoor reception of up to 80 people.

11) Paradox Hotel

Rental fee: Submit RFP for custom quote

Paradox Hotel sits on the edge of the Santa Cruz Riverwalk Park. Here, the feature is the Sequoia Ballroom. It’s 4,400 square feet can host nearly 500 guests, making this one of the largest venues available in Santa Cruz. Meanwhile, the Solaire Breezeway provides a great backdrop for a small ceremony.

12) Hollins House

Rental fee: $900 + catering
Deposit: $3,000

A historic 1920’s home overlooking Monterey Bay, the Hollins House provides beautiful grounds that can accommodate a variety of crowd sizes. Exchange nuptials in front of a gazebo. Reception options include a wide menu selection including buffet or served options.

13) Quail Hollow Ranch County Park

Rental fee: $1,300 – $1,430 (10 hours)

A historical site and rustic ranch, Quail Hollow Park is filled with wildflowers and old California charm. The site provide a spacious lawn that can host an outdoor reception if desired as well as indoor facilities for up to 100 people. There are beautiful views of the Santa Cruz mountains.

14) Bargetto Winery

Rental fee: $1,900 – $3,950

Focusing on providing an atmosphere of “enchanted elegance,” Bargetto Winery provides virtually everything you’ll need for a wedding including the option to have them create a signature drink for the event. Their Creekside Courtyard comfortably seats 150 and resembled a large Italian country villa backyard. A photo shoot in their Regan Vineyards is an excellent choice.

15) Sesnon House

Rental fee: Inquire for pricing

Situated on the Cabrillo College campus, the Sesnon House is an 1850’s mansion that combines Moorish, Mission, and American architecture. Events are catered by student chefs from the college’s culinary arts program. Rental gets you an event coordinator to plan the perfect event for up to 250 guests.

16) Hilton Santa Cruz

Ceremony Fee : $400 – 700
Reception Fee : $800 – $1,500
Food & Beverage Minimum $3,500

With over 6,000 feet of total event space as well as options for garden or veranda outdoor ceremonies, this Santa Cruz wedding venue will ensure that your wedding is a day to remember. Guests can receive a 15% discount on room rates. Ceremonies seat up to 120 with reception space for 200.

17) Dream Inn

Rental fee: Submit RFP for custom quote

A beachfront hotel near Santa Cruz Park, Dream Inn provides 3,500 square feet of banquet space with sustainable food and wine from local farms. Choose between the Dream Ballroom or Cowell Beach for the ceremony. They also have elopement packages and micro-wedding packages available.

18) Cowell Ranch Hay Barn at UCSC

Rental fee: $5500/event

Barn weddings provide stunning scenery and ample space for everything and everyone, and The Cowell Ranch Hay Barn is no exception. The Hay Barn can easily host gatherings of up to 200 people thanks to its Main Hall’s over 2500 square feet, and an additional 100 people can be seated outside.

19) Seascape Golf Club

Rental fee: $6,595 to $15,995

The magnificent ballrooms at Seascape Golf Club include stunning views of the golf course and a perfect outside wedding location. Not only does this location offer an incredible view, but also a fantastic team. Their wedding specialists will work with you, and you may choose from various wedding packages. They also offer packages for the rehearsal dinner and the bridal shower.

20) Felton Guild

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.

21) Chaminade Resort & Spa

Rental fee: $145-$185/ per person

This is a hotel wedding venue, and up to 180 people can attend the ceremony in this area. With space for 200 guests, the Spanish-inspired Courtyard Terrace is decorated with vibrant flowers and a beautiful stone fountain. Additionally, it provides a variety of flexible wedding packages. The best part is that they can be customized and are all-inclusive.

22) Monarch Cove Inn

Rental fee: estimated $6059 for 50 guests

The Monarch Cove Inn is located on a sea cliff and offers stunning views of Monterey Bay’s sweeping curve. The rooms are tucked away among private flower-filled gardens, and the venue can easily accommodate up to 150 people.

23) Aptos Village Park

Rental fee: request pricing

This location is tucked away in the middle of nature in the former Aptos Village. This beautiful, 10-acre park provides an excellent outdoor location. The quaint clubhouse and lovely park make the ideal locations for your vows.

24) Natural Bridges State Beach

Rental fee: contact for more information

From mansions to sandy beaches, California State Parks offers a variety of distinctive and stunning wedding locations. And if you have decided to have a beach wedding Natural Bridges State Beach is a beautiful spot with strong waves and a sandy beach. You can exchange vows as the waves crash behind you at this popular beach.

If you are interested in locations closer to San Francisco, check out these San Francisco wedding venues.
If you prefer more ocean views, these Half Moon Bay wedding venues provide ideal settings.

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415 756 9335

ianchinphotography@gmail.com

762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

24 Best Santa Cruz Wedding Venues

Ultimate Guide to the 24 Best Santa Cruz Wedding Venues
(updated 2023)

1) Nestldown

2) Seymour Marine Discovery Center