Top outdoor wedding venues in California

With unparalleled access to beauty in all its forms, from pristine mountain peaks and redwood forests to vast deserts and sun-drenched beaches, there is a range of outdoor wedding venues in California to choose from. Deciding where you get married depends on your priorities, but even better if it happens in stunning surroundings.

If you want a grand spectacle, lean toward more public outdoor areas near Los Angeles. Obsessed with food? Make sure to snag a venue in Napa Valley or Sonoma County. Outdoorsy couples can even skip organized venues and opt for national parks to host their weddings. Even if you aren’t local to California, maybe you’d love a Palm Springs destination wedding or an intimate ceremony built into a sight-seeing trip.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the top outdoor wedding venues in California. Here, you’ll find breathtaking spots sprinkled throughout the entire state. If you’re ready to start checking out California wedding locations, read on for a list of parks, estates, villas and more.

Deer Park Villa – Fairfax, CA

Getting married in a forest has never been more glamorous. Deer Park Villa features four acres of jaw-dropping redwoods that soar to the sky with a vintage outdoor bar with a handmade stone water sculpture depicting an enchanted bridge and turret. The 1920s-inspired Dance Hall decorated with art and antiques, wrought-iron sconces and a hardwood dance floor gives off vibrant Prohibition Era vibes.

Catering: Preferred list

Price: $ • $$ • $$$

Pelican Inn – Muir Beach, CA

This tiny community beside the California coast is located only 16 miles north of San Francisco. The enchanting Tudor-style inn makes a perfect spot of smaller weddings full of close family and friends. The lawn ceremonies have views of hills overrun with the arid beauty of chaparral.

Catering: In-house

Price: $ • $$

Oz Farm – Point Arena, CA

Oz Farm hides its 240 acres in an intimate valley along the scenic Mendocino County coast, around 130 miles north of San Francisco. Surrounded by the giant redwoods and split open by the Garcia River, Oz Farm is the perfect place to host a tranquil, off-the-grid wedding in the outdoors. It runs entirely on solar and wind power. Complete with retreats and cabin rentals, organic produce and rustic architecture, Oz Farm allows a weekend wedding rental, Thursday to Monday, with a head count of up to 100 day guests and 30 overnight guests.

Catering: Preferred list

Price: $$$

Lassen Meadows Ranch – Chester, CA

Sandwiched between Lake Almanor and the Cascade Mountain Range, this 160-acre private escape in the Northern Sierras has a wide variety of nature to make your wedding a spectacular event. Picturesque events migrate from large green lawns to a rustic barn and pavilion. There are two rentable cabins, and avid outdoor adventurers will love camping under the stars.

Catering: BYO

Price: $$

San Francisco Botanical Garden – San Francisco, CA

Can’t get away from the city? Don’t worry, hidden within San Francisco lies the surprisingly large Golden Gate Park with several outdoor venues. Between the receptions on sprawling lawns and the dreamy ceremonies in a redwood grove, you’ll never want to leave.

Catering: Preferred list

Price: $ • $$ • $$$

The Ruth Bancroft Garden – Walnut Creek, CA

Yes, succulents have become trendy, but that hasn’t diminished their beauty, especially when they’re in their natural habitat. Walnut Creek’s famous succulent garden is a stellar location for people who can’t keep real house plants alive – or people who want an outdoor Southern California wedding. Take your vows among the cacti and choose from a variety of spaces to host your special day.

Catering: Preferred list

Price: $ • $$ • $$$

Pageo Lavender Farm – Turlock, CA

We have found the perfect lavender farm for your wedding. Just an hour north of Fresno rests Pageo Lavender Farm, complete with greenery, quaint and rustic architecture, fields of lavender, trees decked out in fairy lights and more. The farm can accommodate small gatherings or events with up to 300 guests.

Catering: In-house, Preferred list

Price: $$

Joshua Tree – Joshua Tree, CA

Getting married in a national park has never been quite so boho-chic. Just avoid the scorching heat of summer and you’ll be golden. Joshua Tree requires a Special Use Permit, and larger weddings have full disposal of Indian Cove Amphitheater. You can choose from various locations within the park, including picnic areas and settings with picturesque rocks. Fear not when it comes to accommodations, Joshua Tree has some of the most beautiful Airbnbs in California (and probably all of North America). You can also camp out under the stars.

Catering: Get creative

Price: $

Temecula Creek Inn – Temecula, CA

Do you want the feel of Baja California wineries, but you want to get married in the US? Skip Napa Valley and Sonoma County for Southern California Wine Country. The inn features charming landscapes full of rolling hills and a renowned golf course. The ceremony site is complete with a wooden arch draped in floral decorations, a lounge area shaded by trees and a 19th-century stone house.

Catering: In-house

Price: $–$$$

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