7 Best Santa Cruz Wedding Venues

Santa Cruz, California, offers a picturesque setting with stunning coastlines, redwood forests, and historic landmarks, making it an ideal destination for your wedding. From beachfront ceremonies to rustic venues nestled in the woods, there’s something magical for every couple. To help you plan your special day, here’s a list of the 7 best Santa Cruz wedding venues that offer a perfect backdrop for your dream wedding.

Chaminade Resort & Spa

Chaminade Resort & Spa offers breathtaking views of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The venue combines luxury with natural beauty, offering various indoor and outdoor spaces for your ceremony and reception. Couples can exchange vows on a lush lawn overlooking the ocean, then enjoy a reception in the resort’s elegant ballroom.

  • Capacity: Up to 300 guests
  • Features: Spa services, ocean views, on-site catering

The Mountain Terrace

Nestled among the redwoods, The Mountain Terrace is a rustic yet elegant venue offering a serene escape from the bustling city. This venue is perfect for couples who want a forest wedding without venturing too far from Santa Cruz. With towering redwoods and charming architecture, it creates a magical woodland setting.

  • Capacity: Up to 150 guests
  • Features: Redwoods, outdoor ceremonies, beautiful sunsets

Hollins House

Located on the scenic Pasatiempo Golf Course, Hollins House provides breathtaking views of Monterey Bay and the surrounding mountains. This historic venue blends classic elegance with natural beauty, offering both indoor and outdoor spaces for your wedding.

  • Capacity: Up to 250 guests
  • Features: Golf course views, historic architecture, on-site catering

Kennolyn Camps

If you’re looking for a private, nature-centric wedding venue, Kennolyn Camps offers a rustic retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This all-inclusive venue provides various ceremony and reception spaces, from a charming chapel to open meadows surrounded by towering redwoods.

  • Capacity: Up to 300 guests
  • Features: Redwoods, all-inclusive packages, lodging options

The Barn at Wilder Ranch State Park

For couples seeking a rustic, historic setting, The Barn at Wilder Ranch State Park offers an authentic, old-world charm. With a classic barn as the centerpiece, this venue offers beautiful backdrops of open fields and ocean views, ideal for a laid-back, country-style wedding.

  • Capacity: Up to 200 guests
  • Features: Historic barn, ocean views, rustic setting

Villa Mare

Located in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Villa Mare offers a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired setting with gorgeous views of the vineyards. This estate venue features a spacious outdoor area with lush gardens, making it a top choice for couples seeking a vineyard wedding in a serene environment.

  • Capacity: Up to 200 guests
  • Features: Vineyard, Mediterranean architecture, outdoor garden

The Santa Cruz Dream Inn

Beach lovers will adore the Santa Cruz Dream Inn, a beachfront venue offering panoramic views of Monterey Bay. Couples can exchange vows on the beach and then celebrate with a reception in the elegant ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the ocean.

  • Capacity: Up to 250 guests
  • Features: Beachfront, ocean views, on-site accommodations

Final Thoughts on Santa Cruz Wedding Venues

Santa Cruz offers a variety of wedding venues that cater to every style, from elegant resorts to rustic barns and beachside venues. Whether you envision a forest wedding beneath the towering redwoods or a seaside ceremony with ocean views, the perfect Santa Cruz venue awaits you.

And if you like the photos pictured here, we would love to chat with you about your own wedding day! We love photographing and filming Santa Cruz Weddings and have had the honor of documenting weddings since 2014. Click here to see if we’re available for your own wedding.

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