California Wedding

Your wedding venue is one of the most important parts of your big day. That's why we're making finding The One that much easier, with this series of the Top Spots in each location and for each type of venue. From our favorite Mexico destination weddings to the best ballroom bashes, we've rounded up the perfect places to get married—and everything else you need to know about planning a wedding there.

Should by no means be restricted to a winter's day (despite what the Mamas and the Papas may have done)—in fact it's one of the reasons whyso many iconic shows and movies were inspired by the West Coast. With seemingly endlesssandy beaches, moderate temperatures year-round, and an incredible array of wedding venues in California, it'salso why so many couples are inspired to say “I do” in The Golden State.

Wedding venues in California are everywhere: From serene Lake Tahoe to jaw-dropping Yosemite Valley to sunny San Diego. Wherever couples opt to host their events, the best California wedding venues are just a click away. Many of our favorite spots offer stunning backdrops in the great outdoors for toes-in-the-sand ceremonies and epic portraits on rooftops just about any time of year.

Private Estate Tuscany Inspired Wedding

A major draw of California wedding venues is sheerly the wide range of options. Like the state itself, there are so many terrains and styles to choose from, from mountains to beaches and everything in between. To give you more of an idea, here’s why couples love wedding venues in California:

With relatively mild weather year-round, wedding venues in California are an easy choice if you're hoping to get married outside without the stress of unpredictable weather messing up your plans. Thanks to the state’s seasonless, sunny climate, you can host outdoor ceremonies and receptions throughout the year.

There’s something for everyone when it comes to wedding venues in California. You can get in a morning surf session, ski in the mountains, and catch the sunset in the desert—all in one day. (Yes, really!) Because of this luxury, couples can easily choose which location and vibe fits their event best.

Of Our Favorite Wedding Venues In All Of Southern California

Whether you’re from California or dreaming of a destination wedding there, most places in the state (namely, most wedding venues in California) feel like a getaway. Live it up by the beach in Malibu, or get cozy in the cooler mountain areas—it's truly the chooseyour own adventure of wedding destinations.

The best wedding venues in California are sprinkled all over the state, which stretches 900 miles along the West Coast (840 of which are waterfront). Whether you're fantasizing about having your big day along the shore, in the middle of a vineyard, or surrounded by cacti in the desert, the best California wedding venues are perfectly suited for nature-loving couples who are looking for an indoor-outdoor experience. We’ve hand-picked our some of favorite locations—and some of the top venues in each of them—tohelp you discover the wedding venues in California that feel the most “you.” After all, that’s what matters most—no matter the coast!

In order to map out wedding venues Northern California couples love most, we’d be remiss not to mention Napa Valley. Rolling hills, delicious wine…need we say more? There's only one catch: Because of an ordinance passed by theNapa County Board of Supervisors in 1989, you can't

Wedding Venues In Northern California

Get married on a vineyard.There are some exceptions to this decades-old rule, but there are lots of hotels, estates on olive groves, and other striking settings that host weddings too. And just a short drive south (depending on the traffic), you’ll also fall in love with the Bay Area: home to San Francisco’s finest hotels and Silicon Valley’s beautiful backdrops, and where you’ll find even more noteworthy wedding venues in California.

A body of water connecting California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is a gorgeous escape for Californians and visitors alike. Of all the wedding venues Northern California is known for, the Ritz-Carlton—complete with an idyllic, woodsy lodge—stands out because it neighbors one of the most clear, beautiful lakes in the world.

One of the many wedding venues in California from the Auberge Resorts Collection, this Napa Valley resort is full of activities and event spaces for the wedding weekend of your dreams. There’s a bocce ball court, wine tastings, and hiking trails—a little something for everyone on your guest list! Bonus: You can even rent out the entire hotel for the ultimate, super-exclusive experience.

Weddings By The Sea

You can’t say Napa without immediately thinking of the vineyards galore and world-renowned wine that comes with it. The Alila is a Northern California wedding venue situated oh-so-conveniently next to the Beringer Estate Winery and has several indoor and outdoor options with a modern-rustic aesthetic.

Another one of Auberge’s Northern California wedding venues, Auberge du Soleil provides sunshine and fine dining experiences, among many other amenities. The brainchild of French restaurateur Claude Rouas, this property is 33 acres, features 50 rooms and suites, and has covered with plenty of olive and oak trees.

, ” which translates to “What a beautiful place''), this garden wedding venue is highly-regarded for its wine, food, and on-site amenities. And with exclusive catering and venue management from the legendary Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events, rest assured that you’re in good hands.

Instagram Worthy California Airbnb Wedding & Elopement Venues

To the west of Napa is Sonoma Valley, where you'll find even more wedding venues. Known for its more bucolic feel, Sonoma is a countryside escape for California couples. This Tuscan-inspired property has 40, 000 square feet of space to host your indoor or outdoor celebration.

Wine country continues in Sonoma, where guests can immerse themselves in all the luxuries of one of the best wedding venues in California. Farm-to-table dining experiences and several patios, lawns, and rooms are onsite for big events or their newly-introduced “Mini-Monies, ” for an intimate day with up to 10 special guests.

Among the many Northern California wedding venues available, San Francisco City Hall will always go down as perhaps the most classic. Civil ceremonies can host up to six guests, but for couples who want to go big, you’ll need to book through the San Francisco City Hall Events Department.

This Backyard Wedding In California Is Why We Love Chic Black Details ⋆ Ruffled

Indoor or outdoor, the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is one of the best wedding venues Northern California residents and visitors alike love for glamorous weddings. We’re partial to the elegant ballroom and circular patio surrounded by perfectly-manicured hedges and flowers.

. One of the premier wedding venues Northern California offers with a rooftop, couples portraits are sheer perfection with full views of the city beyond.

A couple blocks away from the St. Regis, the Clancy brings modern art to the focus. The Lotline Ballroom can accommodate up to 80 guests, and it can even be divided for smaller gatherings. And like many of our favorite wedding venues in California, it’s just steps away from the water.

Privately Owned Venues In Socal Perfect For Your Micro Wedding!

Menlo Park is home to one of the most beloved hotels and wedding venues Northern California is known for: Rosewood Sand Hill. Providing photo-worthy views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this Silicon Valley destination also comes with Michelin-star fine dining, lush gardens, and an in-house event team to make your special day go as smoothly as possible.

Yosemite’s premier upscale resort is The Ahwahnee, a hidden gem within the national park. There are breathtaking views at practically every angle, and four-course wedding meals are served indoors (with floor-to-ceiling windows, of course!) or outside.

Crashing waves meet high-reaching redwood trees at this bucket list-level location. Idyllically situated near both the Pacific Ocean and Santa Lucia Mountains, Big Sur brings the best features of wedding venues in California into one area. The Alila Ventana is best suited for elopements and intimate ceremonies, but you can also buy out the property for larger affairs.

A Playful, Elegant Wedding Weekend In Big Sur, California

Of the many wedding venues Northern California can offer, the Monterey Marriott overlooks Monterey Bay—which is visible from indoor and outdoor gatherings alike.The San Carlos Ballroom can hold up to 450 of your favorite people, and Marriott’s dedicated team is there to seamlessly transform any of their event spaces for your big day.

The minute we hear, “Pebble Beach Resorts, ” all we can think about are the golf course wedding venues Northern California (and its coastline) was made for. The historic golf course has memory-making grounds, plus sweeping ocean views. Whether you’re a PGA superfan or simply love a beach-meets-country club feel, this is one of the best California wedding venues.

While there’s no clear separation of Northern and Southern California, the lower half of the state generally starts in the San Luis Obispo area and goes all the way down to San Diego. Within that expansive area, you'll findSouthern California wedding venues near the beach, in the desert, and even on ranches and vineyards.

The Top California Wedding Venues

What backdrop could possibly beat the Pacific Ocean itself? California’s natural beauty is on full display at the Bacara, complete with Spanish Colonial architecture and unobstructed views for vows on the Bluff. After the beachfront ceremony, guests can head to an indoor ballroom or watch the sunset on the terrace or lawns on the property.

You can hear the waves crashing during a ceremony on the Great Lawn at Rosewood Miramar Beach, which accommodates up to