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Why is Santa Barbara a great destination for a wedding?
- What says love and romance better than the American Riviera? Santa Barbara boasts beautiful beaches, dramatic Santa Ynez Mountains, and stunning Spanish colonial architecture, making it the perfect backdrop for a destination wedding.
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What types of wedding venues are available in Santa Barbara?
- There is no shortage of elegant ballrooms, exclusive private clubs, fascinating museums, and swanky hotels to host the perfect wedding.
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Where can couples find inspiration for wedding venues in Santa Barbara?
- These wedding venues in Santa Barbara will inspire any couple to begin the search for their ideal location.
Best Time to Plan a Wedding in Santa Barbara, California
- April to October – Ideal for mild temps, clear skies, and stunning coastal views.
- May to September – Peak season with warm weather, perfect for beach and outdoor ceremonies.
- April & May – Blooming flowers and pleasant weather, great for garden settings.
- September & October – Mild temps and fewer crowds, ideal for romantic seaside weddings.
- November to March – Off-season with cooler temps and budget-friendly indoor venue options.
- June to August – Warmest months, perfect for vineyard and evening celebrations.
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1. The Riviera Mansion
Host an elegant, unforgettable wedding in historic surroundings.
The Riviera Mansion is a stately and gorgeous historical house built in 1880 on the American Riviera situated in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. One of the most beautiful rooms in the mansion is the dining room, which boasts a grand fireplace, gorgeous artwork, and ornate chandeliers. The library is another notable space, featuring wall-to-wall bookshelves, stunning chandeliers, a fireplace, and rich woodwork. These are great for small sit-down dinners, pre-reception cocktails, or bridal suites. For the ceremony and reception, the Park Lawn, a secluded, lush green space overlooking Alice Keck Park, is the ideal venue.
1332 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA, Phone: 805-884-8703
2. Whispering Rose Ranch
Celebrate a romantic, countryside wedding with breathtaking views.
Whispering Rose Ranch is one of the most luxurious and opulent ranch estates in the world, situated in Santa Ynez Wine Country and overlooking the entire Santa Ynez valley and mountain range. This 100-acre estate features a race track, a pond, several barns, and dozens of galloping horses. The minute couples pass through the rose-covered gates they’ll be greeted with an elegance like no other, with several ceremony and reception location options. These include Sycamore Lane, surrounded by horses and sycamore trees; the park, featuring clusters of birch trees and lush greenery; and the covered barn. There is also a 200-year-old bride’s stone cottage for the bridal party and a groom’s saloon.
1316 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, Phone: 805-878-5401
3. Cabrillo Pavilion
Enjoy a stunning beachside wedding with ocean views.
The Cabrillo Pavilion is a stunning piece of Spanish-inspired architecture built in 1926 featuring an exterior of white stucco walls and a terra cotta tiled roof. The venue sits alone on the sand of East Beach in Santa Barbara, providing guests with a private and secluded space for their dream wedding. The interior is extremely spacious, featuring an A-frame wood-beamed ceiling, ocean view windows, wall-to-wall carpeting, and Mediterranean wrought iron chandeliers. This historic landmark also showcases rotating art exhibits, adding elegant artistry and color to the space. Beautiful archways, a mezzanine level, and two outdoor patios are also featured here.
1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA, Phone: 805-897-1983
4. Kimpton Canary Hotel
Plan a stylish rooftop wedding with exceptional city views.
Kimpton Canary Hotel is a one-stop-shop for designing a dream wedding, featuring seven magnificent and romantic event spaces infused with Mediterranean design. Hand-painted tiles, trickling fountains, and wrought iron chandeliers are among the distinct accent pieces that lend to its Grecian atmosphere. The space is just as diverse as it is unique, offering a variety of venues from elegant ballrooms to relaxed rooftop pool receptions. Kimpton offers onsite event managers to aid with before and after-wedding celebrations, from bridal showers to post-wedding brunches. They also offer preferred group block room rates and delectable customized catering menus created by Finch & Fork Chef, Peter Cham.
31 West Carrillo, Santa Barbara, CA, Phone: 805-884-0300
5. Chase Palm Park - Carousel
Create a whimsical, family-friendly wedding with fun carousel rides.
Chase Palm Park - Carousel is a large park that sandwiches East Cabrillo Boulevard. The park is separated into two sections, the ocean side and the land side. It sits on 10 acres of land and is the ideal space for vintage and whimsical weddings. It features beautiful fountains, a lagoon, creeks, a snack bar, and a shipwreck playground. Chase Palm Park’s focal point is none other than an antique 1916 carousel created by the Allen Herschell Factory. The carousel is covered by a charming pavilion, which features magnificent archways. Couples can organize their ceremony around the carousel and plan their reception alongside one of the many creeks.
323 E Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA, Phone: 805-897-1982
6. Cabrillo Ballroom
Dance the night away in an elegant, spacious ballroom.
Destination Santa Barbara is run by the Parks & Recreation Department of the city of Santa Barbara. They provide more than 20 premier outdoor locations as well as nine exceptional indoor venues from the beach to downtown. An historic landmark, the Cabrillo Ballroom is an ideal event space for classic, grand weddings with a focus on luxury. The space can hold up to 400 guests featuring one-of-a-kind cantilevered floors, stunning landscaped front and rear courtyards, two fireplaces, and a mezzanine level. Outdoor weddings can be held at locations such as the Alice Keck Memorial Gardens, a beautiful space with lush greenery, plants, flowers, and a charming pond.
100 E Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-897-2519
7. Godric Grove
Say “I do” surrounded by nature and panoramic views.
Godric Grove is located within Elings Park situated at the top this estate-style venue, providing extraordinary views of the ocean and cityscape. This event space can host weddings with up to 175 guests. It features a stone amphitheater and a reception deck shaded by towering oak trees. A grand lawn is surrounded by liquidamber trees and lush gardens boasting magnificent matilija poppies from spring to summer. There is also a comfortable and roomy serving area and space for a caterer or bridal canopy as well as an expansive parking lot that can be used for valet or self-parking. This is an excellent venue for pastoral or ethereal-style weddings.
1298 Las Positas Road, Santa Barbara, CA, Phone: 805-569-5611
8. Jamie Slone Wines
Savor fine wines while celebrating a charming, intimate wedding.
Jamie Slone Wines is situated at the primary entrance to historic El Paseo in the colorful and lively Presidio neighborhood of downtown Santa Barbara. El Paseo is an excellent example of magnificent Spanish colonial architecture and is surrounded by old theaters, high-end shopping boutiques, extraordinary restaurants, and historical museums and is just over the hill from wine country. The Jamie Slone Wines tasting room is the ideal location for small traditional weddings with a rustic elegance, accommodating up to 50 guests. They also feature the intimate and romantic Reserve Room, which can accommodate up to 10 guests. This location is perfect for elegant, romantic, or rustic-themed weddings.
25 E. De La Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, CA, Phone: 805-560-6555
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