Lia CabreraThe thing that makes or breaks a wedding is the venue, and choosing one can be difficult. While some might leave this decision up to the planner, personally, I think the bride and groom should make the final decision.
Thankfully, San Diego has a wide range of wedding venues to choose from. Whether you’re a couple who loves the beach or you’re simply looking for a small and intimate celebration, I’m sure my list has got you covered.
So, come with me and let’s discover the most beloved wedding venues in San Diego. These places will make you fall in love and carry the best memories for years to come.
1. Grand Tradition Estate & Gardens
Media credit: Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens Instagram
Website: https://www.grandtradition.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrandTraditionEstate
Address: 220 Grand Tradition Way, Fallbrook, CA 92028
Contact Details: +1 760-728-6466
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Pricing: $$$
The Grand Tradition Estate & Gardens holds a special place in my heart. With 2 venues and 30 acres of land, there’s something magical about a wedding venue surrounded by plants. What I love most are the 7 waterfalls that are best for photos.
For those who want an outdoor wedding, the Arbor Terrace is the place for you. These tropical gardens are a massive open-air pavilion. Your wedding photos will be amazing here, especially with the wonderful waterfall in the background of each shot of the altar.
Those who want a modern Victorian twist to their venue should head to the Beverly Mansion. This indoor venue combines luxury and sophistication, capturing elegance through the glass-panel doors and wooden decor.
| Pro Tip: Saturdays are the best days for those who want a big wedding, since it requires at least 125 guests. For smaller weddings, Mondays to Thursdays are best, since they’ll allow a minimum of 75 guests per wedding. |
2. The Prado at Balboa Park
Media credit: The Prado at Balboa Park Instagram
Website: https://www.balboaparkweddings.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PradoBalboaEvents
Address: 1549 El Prado Suite 12, CA 92101
Contact Details: +1 619-557-9441
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Pricing: $$$
The Prado at Balboa Park is perfect for those who want a Spanish wedding while staying deep in the heart of San Diego. Alongside the Spanish influences, the entire building also incorporates wonderful Moorish and Mexican designs.
There are five main venues at The Prado, but I personally love the Alhambra room. Located on the second floor, it’s a cozy venue perfect for slow dancing. Additionally, it is decorated with rustic beams and can easily accommodate 60 guests.
For a larger venue, the Casa Del Rey Moro Garden can accommodate 300 guests for a massive wedding ceremony. I love the historic fountain located in the middle, while the landscape surrounding this venue is breathtakingly beautiful.
| Pro Tip: The Prado has a separate catering service that handles their events. While you’ll pay a bit more than a typical catering service, I’d still recommend them for their wide range of Spanish dishes and children’s menu. |
3. Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Media credit: Catamaran Weddings Instagram
Website: https://www.catamaranresort.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catamaranresort
Address: 3999 Mission Blvd, CA 92109
Contact Details: +1 858-488-1081
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Pricing: $$
Weddings at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa can easily fit everyone’s taste, no matter how niche it is. Their bayfront outdoor lawns are great for those looking for an outdoor wedding. Meanwhile, the Aviary Ballroom is best for an indoor wedding.
The Beach North Lawn venue, which offers panoramic views of Mission Bay, is the largest and can easily accommodate 350 guests. For a smaller wedding, I would go with the Garden Gazebo for those lovely reflective koi ponds.
For receptions, the Kon Tiki Ballroom can easily accommodate 300 guests. For larger weddings, the outdoor wedding reception venue can accommodate up to 1,300 guests. Personally, I’d rather choose the Boardroom for its intimacy and outdoor balcony.
| Pro Tip: If you’re still unsure about your wedding, Catamaran Resort’s wedding planners are here to save the day. They offer a wide range of customization options, exclusive offers, and venue styles. |
4. L’Auberge Del Mar
Media credit: L’Auberge Del Mar Instagram
Website: https://www.laubergedelmar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAubergeDelMar
Address: 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014,
Contact Details: +1 858-386-1336
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Pricing: $$$
When planning a wedding at L’Auberge Del Mar, I’d go for their in-house wedding team. They specialize in creating memorable weddings at this fabulous location. There are four venues available here, each capable of hosting up to 200 guests.
Their larger venues are the Seagrove Park and the Pacific Terrace. The former is best for those who want a wedding overlooking the beautiful sea. The latter is best for those who want to gaze up at California’s sprawling, clear skies.
The smallest venue, the Ocean Terrace, is best for those who want an intimate space. It can fit up to 20 guests and can also serve as the reception. It has a wonderful ocean view, and as a guest, I was amazed by its beauty and simplicity.
| Pro Tip: Leverage the venue’s intimate packages, including micro-weddings and small weddings. Using these smaller packages helps you keep the vibe exclusive and can be more cost-effective than a full-blown grand wedding. |
5. Rancho Bernardo Inn
Media credit: Rancho Bernardo Inn Instagram
Website: https://www.ranchobernardoinn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RBInn
Address: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr, CA 92128
Contact Details: +1 855-574-5356
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Pricing: $$
Weddings at the Rancho Bernardo Inn are fully immersed in nature. The venues here are open spaces that are full of picturesque trees and hedges. Personally, I love the seating arrangements here since they don’t feel cluttered.
My choice of venue here is the Santiago Ballroom and Courtyard. The brick-laden floor, with tall hedges and lamps hanging from the trees, reminds me of rustic times. The Promenade is another great option for larger guest counts.
For indoor weddings, the Bernardo Patio and Ballroom is the easy choice. It’s an Italian-inspired space that can accommodate up to 220 guests. It’s best for those who love a sunset view.
| Pro Tip: Weekends fill up fast, especially in spring and early summer when the gardens are in full bloom. If you want a golden-hour outdoor ceremony, secure your date well in advance. |
6. BRICK
Media credit: BRICK Instagram
Website: https://brick.828venues.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BRICK.828
Address: 2863 Historic Decatur Rd, CA 92106
Contact Details: +1 619-452-0120
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Pricing: $$
BRICK is a dedicated wedding venue that prioritizes the rustic aesthetic above everything else. This place takes me back to the late 2010s, especially with the fairy lights strewn across the ceilings and the wooden floors.
The venue can accommodate 220 guests and is available from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. What’s even better is that they’re not discriminatory when it comes to vendors, so you can easily bring your preferred catering or hire one of their partners.
Their other services here include a wedding planner, who’s great at planning intimate weddings. Couples can even customize their own wedding drinks.
| Pro Tip: Always avail their wedding planner when choosing this venue. Aside from their great tastes, they also offer cheaper rates for the venue. I’ve even heard they can offer discounts to their trusted partners and vendors with this. |
7. The Thursday Club
Media credit: Breezy Day Weddings Instagram
Website: https://www.thethursdayclub.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052543369536
Address: 1224 Santa Barbara St, CA 92107
Contact Details: +1 619-224-5264
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Pricing: $$$A
The Thursday Club has three venues with great views that showcase San Diego’s wild beauty. The club was built in 1927 with a Spanish architectural style. Here, you’ll see stained glass and large French doors that will surely blow you away.
Couples can choose between the Ocean View, Garden, or Outdoor venues. The Garden and Outdoor rooms are large, open spaces with wonderful views of San Diego. The spaces are full of trees and hedges, with a pretty stone floor pattern.
The Ocean View is the indoor venue. The facility comprises a main ballroom and a stage, with a northern ballroom that’s connected to a terrace. This makes full use of the indoor space.
| Pro Tip: The Thursday Club also deals with celebrations after the wedding. For those looking for an anniversary venue for your 25th to 75th year, this is a great place to relive your wedding memories. |
8. Lake Cuyamaca
Media credit: Weddings_at_lake_cayamaca Instagram
Website: https://www.lakecuyamaca.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeCuyamacaRecreationAndPark
Address: 34560 Engineers Rd, Julian, CA 92036
Contact Details: +1 760-765-0515
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Pricing: $$$
When wanting to be one with nature, there’s no better place to have a wedding than at Lake Cuyamaca. There are two different venues here, each with its unique charm. Personally, I’d choose the Firehouse since it has a great view of the mountains.
The Firehouse wedding overlooks the lake and the surrounding mountains. Once a fire station, it’s since been renovated to become one of San Diego’s most beloved wedding venues.
The Park or Lakeside wedding venue, on the other hand, sees couples near the mouth of the lake. While the weather is the main issue here, many still choose this venue for its wonderful scenery and the beautiful, close-up view of the lake for photos.
| Pro Tip: When choosing the Lakeside venue, the best time to hold your wedding is from May to October. These months often hold the best weather and can keep you and your guests safe from harsh winds. |
9. Flora The Avenue
Media credit: Flora Avenue Instagram
Website: https://florathevenue.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/florathevenuesd
Address: 1040 Seventh Ave, CA 92101
Contact Details: +1 619-254-8552
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Flora The Venue is an all-inclusive venue that’s perfect for all types of weddings. With the lush living wall and the grand garden chandeliers, I can confidently say that this place was designed with beauty in mind. My favorite part has to be the hanging skylights.
This is a boutique venue, so it can be easily customized to any client’s needs. For an additional cost, couples can hire the venue’s private security and cleaning crew to ensure the entire event is stress-free.
Plus, this is one of the more inclusive venues in the city, especially towards LGBT couples.
| Pro Tip: Schedule your ceremony or first-look during daylight hours to take full advantage of skylights and large windows. |
10. La Jolla Cove Rooftop
Media credit: La Jolla Cove Rooftop Instagram
Website: https://www.wedgewoodweddings.com/lajollacoverooftop
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wedgewoodweddings
Address: 1155 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Contact Details: +1 866-966-3009
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Pricing: $$
La Jolla Cove Rooftop blends the modernity California is known for with the beauty and comfort of La Jolla. The venue itself has a village atmosphere that’s paired with wonderful panoramic views of the sea.
Weddings here are handled by the Wedgewood Weddings group, and they can easily tailor the venue to each couple’s personal taste.
Guests don’t even have to worry about lodging, since the venue is close to popular hotels, such as the La Valencia Hotel.
| Pro Tip: When having your wedding here, I’d suggest going for one of Wedgewood Weddings’ inclusive packages. While the Elite Package might be the most expensive, it includes everything, from invites to catering. |
11. The Secret Garden at Rancho Santa Fe
Media credit: Secret Garden at Rancho Santa Fe Instagram
Website: https://secretgardenrsf.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesecretgardenRSF
Address: 17025 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067,
Contact Details: +1 858-914-9055
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: $$
The Secret Garden truly swept me off my feet when I went there for a wedding. According to the bride, the wedding team here was great at listening to her vision.
The wedding venue consists of a single gazebo that can be decorated to fit any style. I’ve seen different colors, like white and pink, that truly made the simple gazebo look fantastic. Additionally, a large tree covers most of the venue, providing great shade.
For the afterparty, their indoor space rocks. It can accommodate up to 300 guests and continues the magical, Midsummer Night’s Dream aesthetic of the outside.
| Pro Tip: Weddings here are scheduled a year in advance. If you’re looking to have your wedding here, I’d suggest emailing them as soon as possible. But even if you’ve missed the deadline, I’d still suggest trying to book them. |
