Who wouldn’t want to get married at a Bay Area outdoor wedding venue? If California is known for anything, it’s the great weather, incredible scenery, and gorgeous sunsets. Luckily for us at Cora Bella Events, California is the perfect place to get married outside— as Bay Area wedding planners, we love planning detail-perfect outdoor events.
To make your venue selection process a little easier, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Bay Area outdoor wedding venues, based on our extensive wedding planning experience in the area.
All of these venues have some sort of outdoor option, and many also offer an indoor space, should you want a rain back-up or the best of both indoor and outdoor celebrations.
All photos are from weddings planned or coordinated by Cora Bella Events.
Top Bay Area Outdoor Wedding Venues
Murrieta’s Well
Murietta’s Well, tucked away in the Golden State’s Livermore Valley, has aged like a fine wine for a reason — one of California’s original wine estates, this woodsy, off-the-beaten path vineyard is perfect for an intimate celebration packed with fine food, exceptional service and (of course) delicious wine.
Host your ceremony outdoors and take photos in the beautiful vineyards. Outdoor ceremonies take place on the patio outside the restored barn, with the barn as the backdrop.
After your ceremony, move the party indoors to the barn, one of our favorite spaces at the venue. It is just beautiful to set up a long table down the middle of the room, below the crystal chandeliers. We love to adorn those chandeliers with greenery and florals to make them even more of a focal point.
PRO TIP: Because Murrieta’s hosts active wine tastings on the weekends, you’ll have to wait until 4pm to set up for your big day. We suggest a later ceremony time. Should you have big lighting installations, we have in the past arranged to do those installs in the morning, before the venue opens.
Wente Vineyards
Much like it’s sister property Murietta’s, Wente Vineyards is nestled down in California’s Livermore Valley, and is one of the longest continuously operated family-owned wineries in the country.
When it comes to your wedding day, the story get even better. Voted the “Best Winery for a Wedding Reception” by NBC 11, Wente has a few gorgeous venue options for you to choose from.
Try the Cresta Blanca Room, adorned with old wine barrels and two 12-ft wooden doors, for a dramatic, indoor celebration with room for up to 150 guests. Or, check out the Terrace Lawn (up to 400 guests) for a large outdoor event.
If neither of those options tickle your fancy, try the Vineyard Lawn — overlooking sandstone hills, the vineyards, and olive trees — for an outside extravaganza fit for up to 500 guests.
The Club at Ruby Hill
With its “gorgeous views, casual elegance, and impeccable service” (their words, not ours!), the Club at Ruby Hill is yet another beautiful Livermore Valley wedding venue. Set against a breathtaking golf course and California’s wine country, Ruby Hill has everything you need for a memorable wedding day, including on-site catering.
Also included in your wedding package are 3 hours of pre-event preparation, tables and chairs for 250 guests, table linens and napkins, and glass and silverware. They even throw in a complimentary dance floor!
Most couples choose to have their ceremony outdoors, in the ceremony space framed by floral-covered arbors. Then most receptions take place indoors in the classic, sophisticated ballroom.
A fully-outdoors event at Ruby Hill is possible — just note it does require a flip, so you’d be wise to schedule in a longer cocktail hour. We just love this venue — with overhead lighting and the columns uplit, it’s absolutely magical.
Nestldown
It’s impossible to fit everything unique about the Nestldown wedding venue — a sprawling oasis with 36-acres of Redwoods and lush gardens tucked away in California’s Santa Cruz mountains — into one short write-up. It’s magical, it’s whimsical, it’s incredibly unique.
A wedding at Nestldown means you have access to all seven different spaces on the property.
Try an outdoor wedding ceremony in the “chapel,” underneath a cathedral of Redwood trees, then bring guests over to the Main Lawn for a cocktail hour in front of the property’s elegant barn, where you’ll host dinner and dancing.
If that weren’t enough, Nestldown even offers an old English taxi cab as a getaway car option, so you and your new spouse can ride away at the end of the night in timeless, European style.
For more on Nestldown, don’t miss our Nestldown Wedding Venue – Ultimate Guide.
Gardener Ranch
Gardener Ranch advertises itself as “24 acres of endless possibilities” — and we couldn’t agree more. Tucked right in the heart of Carmel Valley, “where the river and rolling hills meet,” your event at Gardener Ranch is sure to be once-in-a-lifetime. The large outdoor parks and rustic indoor venues are perfect for rehearsal dinners, goodbye brunches, and — most importantly — I Do’s and dancing.
Gardener Ranch is definitely off the beaten path, and a break from typical Bay Area civilization. What we love is that there are so many spaces—you have a lot of options depending on the feel you want.
Try one of four different lawns for a tree-covered or babbling brook-adjacent ceremony with up to 150 people, followed by a reception in the rustic-yet-elegant cubhouse, featuring three fireplaces, a built-in outdoor bar, or a cozy outdoor fireplace. If that weren’t enough, Gardener Ranch also has a Bridal Camp, a groom’s room, and a massage room (to work out those pre-ceremony jitters!).
PRO TIP: We love Gardner Ranch for couples who want to create a destination wedding weekend experience. You can host up to 30-40 guests at Gardener Ranch all weekend, and they can stay in one of the 5 communal homes, quaint, rustic cottages that all contain WiFi, a flat screen TV, and gorgeous valley views. Host your rehearsal dinner onsite and a send-off brunch the next day for a true all-in-one venue.
Thomas Fogarty Winery
You’re in luck: Thomas Fogarty Winery is quite the hidden gem, and we’re over the moon to be the ones letting you in on the secret.
This gorgeous, outdoor venue — tucked away among redwood trees and vineyards, and surrounded by views that will take your breath away — is the picture-perfect mountain oasis for your intimate, elegant event.
For your ceremony, bring up to 200 guests onto the ceremony lawn, a blanket of grass so high up, it’s as though it’s in the clouds. In the event of rain, the backup covered Pavilion space works just as well as the lawn. Don’t worry — there are still gorgeous views!
After your sunny ceremony, walk guests over to cocktail hour on the deck, followed by dinner in the aforementioned Pavilion. During chillier days or seasons, try the 2,600 sq-foot Hill House and its adjoining terrace for a Redwood-inspired indoor dinner or reception! Floor to ceiling windows ensure guests don’t sacrifice a breathtaking view for protection from the elements.
PRO TIP: Be warned it’s not exactly easy to get to. You’ll need to work with your wedding planner to arrange shuttles and travel up a mountain, but we promise… the photos are worth it.
Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
What’s in a name? Well, in the case of the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay… everything. Reputation precedes this oceanside oasis, just 30 minutes outside San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The luxury resort rests along the California coastline, meaning golden sunsets, crashing waves, and meals beneath the stars are just a glance away at all times.
Try an outdoor golf course or coastline-adjacent outdoor venue for your ceremony, then bring things inside the Ritz-Carlton Ballroom for an up-to-300 person reception featuring tall ceilings, stunning chandeliers, and of course, plenty of room for dancing.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley
Be one of the first to grace the Four Seasons Napa Valley with your unique love story by booking your nuptials at this newly-opened hotel in the food and wine capital of North America. There’s simply nothing like the picturesque vineyards in Napa Valley’s historic Calistoga. Romance is practically baked in!
The Four Seasons Napa Valley is ideal for the couple with up to 170 guests who is interested in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Try the rustic vineyard barn and lawn for an event punctuated by views of the Palisades, or the natural-light filled Calistoga Ballroom.
If you and your honey are looking for more of an elopement-style package, try The Cork Room, perfect for you and 16 guests to sip cocktails while gazing out of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Pebble Beach
You know it, you love it — it’s Pebble Beach, the world renowned golf course, hotel, and now, maybe even your wedding venue. A mainstay on California’s Monterey Peninsula, this over-hundred-year-old treasure has yet to lose any of its timeless charm.
So what might a wedding at Pebble Beach entail? Begin with a oceanside ceremony on the legendary 18th lawn at The Lodge, which accommodates up to 200 for a golf-view, waterfront location.
If that’s not your style, try the Inn at Spanish Bay for a larger (up to 300) more contemporary space for I Do’s, featuring gorgeous views of both the Pacific Ocean and sandy dunes. When it’s time to sit down for dinner, try the lodge’s elegant and classic Fairway One for a meal with 125 of your closet friends.
Palm Event Center
Looking for a romantic, private, outdoor wedding getaway? Look no further than the Palm Event Center, a gorgeous winery in the Livermore Valley.
For the outdoor couple, try the Vineyard Terrace, an outdoor lawn space overlooking scenic wine country. The terrace features a multi level stone patio (perfect for cocktails, or to lounge around a firepit), and a redwood arbor “framed by wisteria, roses, and various other perennials”. It’s magical!
Palm Event Center offers an elegant and glowing estate room, for the classic-yet-extravagant couple, as well as a ballroom with all the trappings of a romantic, Italian-inspired winery.
Casa Real at Ruby Hill
Casa Real does it all — corporate events, intimate affairs, multicultural celebrations, and destination nuptials.
Bring on the lush outdoor Sun Garden for your ceremony (or the dramatic indoor Amber Room if you’d prefer something covered). After that, head into the Grand Salon for your afterparty, and wow your guests with decorations to taste; the salon is a blank canvas, meaning you can dress it up however you’d like. Perfect for any vision!
Concannon Vineyard
When translated from ancient Gaelic, Conconnon means “wisdom without compromise” — as if there could be a better piece of advice to guide your wedding day!
Opened in 1883, Concannon Vineyard has long set the tone for California wine, when James Concannon immigrated to America over 100 years ago. A special day at this Livermore Valley staple means stunning vistas and breathtaking vistas while enjoying “America’s oldest ongoing winery under the same family label and stewardship.”
Try setting up a vine-covered arbor and a long, 60-person table for a dreamy rehearsal dinner. Or use that space for a small wedding, as well!
For more on venue options and event history, check out the Concannon website.
The Purple Orchid
If you have yet to hear about the Purple Orchid, it’s time you did (but please, keep it to yourself at risk of spoiling the magic of this Northern California wine country classic)! A luxury hotel with the charm and feel of a bed and breakfast, the Purple Orchid is the answer to your wedding-day prayers.
So what sets The Purple Orchid apart from other Livermore wedding venues (all of which also satisfy that dream wedding venue checklist—foggy, dewy sunrises; rolling grass hills; and a temperate climate that makes you wonder why you don’t just do it already and move to the West Coast full time)?
For one thing, the Purple Orchid is conveniently located just 50 miles east of San Francisco. As they themselves put it, it’s a “perfect location for a wedding that boasts countryside elegance that’s just a stone’s throw away from the big city.”
Try a ceremony in front of the rose garden, followed by a cocktail hour next to flowing fountains or a rock waterfall. As another option, say your I Do’s in front of the Manzanilla olive orchard or glowing sunset. After that, move guests to the state-of-the-art banquet hall for dinner and dancing until the stars come out.
And if a wedding weekend is more your thing, feel free to take advantage of the resort lodging, so you, your new honey, and your wedding party can start the party early or continue the celebration into the days ahead. Whether its food trucks or a full catered affair, a spa weekend or a special day, or a large party versus a small, intimate gathering, a wedding at the Purple Orchid can never disappoint.
The Bridges Golf Club
Easy, accessible, and intrinsically California — the 3 best parts of the Bridges Golf Club. Located just 35 miles east of Downtown San Francisco, this classic Bay Area wedding venue has everything you need to enjoy a getaway golf/wedding weekend, or a simple one-night ceremony with that country club feel.
Try the elegant and sprawling clubhouse for an indoor ceremony or reception, complete with French doors and antique chandeliers. Or, for something even more dramatic, try the Garden Pavilion (and its 25-foot ceilings) on for size. This expansive, glowing room is perfect for a reception against the glowing Mt. Diablo sunset, right after saying your vows on the manicured lawn on the white-rose-dotted Garden Terrace.
PRO TIP: While Bridges’ in-house catering is preferred, the venue does allow a licensed outside caterer for cuisine it is unable to provide. Cakes from outside vendors are also permitted, as are outside bottles of wine (for a corkage fee).
Villa Viscaya
Say hello to the intimate oceanside getaway of your dreams. Villa Viscaya is a 13,000 square-foot property perched perfectly on the bluff overlooking Monterey Bay. This La Selva Beach mainstay is perfect for elopements or small weddings with 75 guests or fewer.
Hold your ceremony outside on the property’s lush green lawn, then move down to the private beach for portraits. Afterwards, bring guests inside for a night of dinner and dancing. We recommend booking in late August, September or October so you avoid heavy fog.
What’s more, invite guests to stay on property! Villa Viscaya sleeps about 18, and you’ll have the whole estate to yourself.
Bonus wedding venue option: Private Estate or Property
Our last recommendation for an outdoor wedding venue isn’t a venue at all… until we make it one!
Have you considered hosting your Bay Area wedding at a private estate or property that is meaningful to you? It can be such a magical, heartfelt, and unique experience!
If you want to host a wedding on a private property, we highly recommend hiring a full-service wedding planner, who can handle the in-depth planning, logistics, and rentals required.
The team at Cora Bella Events has extensive experience in planning weddings on private properties, transforming them into never-seen-before wedding venues.
As another example, don’t miss Catharine and David’s Tuscan-inspired wedding at the bride’s parents’ home.
Let Us Help You Choose an Outdoor Wedding Venue in the Bay Area
And there you have it — the problem isn’t if there is an outdoor venue to choose, it’s which one!
There is nothing simpler than hiring a full-service wedding planner who is familiar with the area to help you choose your wedding venue. We at Cora Bella Events would love to be a part of your wedding day. View our services and contact us today.
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