Planning your dream wedding starts with finding the perfect setting, and California offers some of the most breathtaking options in the country. From the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley to the golden hills of the Central Coast, the glamorous ocean views of Malibu to the timeless estates of San Diego and Temecula, couples have endless choices for celebrating their love. In this guide to the Best California Wedding Venues, I’ve gathered some of the most romantic wineries, private estates, and coastal resorts across the state. Whether you’re dreaming of a luxury wedding venue in wine country, a serene ranch on the Central Coast, or an elegant seaside estate in Southern California, each location offers its own unique charm. As a California wedding photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how the right venue can transform a wedding day into something truly unforgettable.

Best California Wedding Venues in Napa Valley & Wine Country (North Bay)

The Estate Yountville – Yountville

A luxurious resort in the heart of Napa Valley, The Estate Yountville combines vineyard views with modern elegance. Its charming courtyards and lush gardens create the perfect backdrop for a sophisticated wine country wedding.

The Francis House – Calistoga

This beautifully restored historic inn offers an intimate and romantic setting. With French-inspired architecture and a boutique feel, it’s ideal for couples who want a private Napa Valley celebration.

View more info on The Francis House here!

V. Sattui Winery – St. Helena

Known for its Italian-style stone winery and vineyard lawns, V. Sattui is one of the most iconic wedding venues in Napa Valley. It offers both rustic charm and world-class wine.

Viansa Winery – Sonoma

Perched on a hilltop overlooking rolling vineyards, Viansa feels like a slice of Tuscany in California. Ceremonies here offer panoramic views of Sonoma’s wine country.

Ledson Winery – Kenwood

Often called “the castle,” Ledson Winery is a grand estate with Gothic architecture and sweeping vineyard grounds. It’s perfect for a fairy-tale style wedding.

Olympias Valley Estate – Petaluma

This working dairy farm and flower ranch features a white barn surrounded by fields and a charming pond. It’s a blend of rustic beauty and wine country romance.

Cavallo Point – Sausalito

Set at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, Cavallo Point offers breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay. It’s a perfect mix of historic charm and coastal elegance.

Best California Wedding Venues in the Bay Area (East Bay & Sacramento Region)

The Barn at Green Valley – Fairfield

A modern white barn set among vineyards and olive trees, this venue offers a chic yet rustic setting just outside of Napa.

Great Bear Vineyards – Davis

Surrounded by vineyards and lavender fields, Great Bear Vineyards is a hidden gem in Northern California with a relaxed, countryside feel.

Wolfe Heights Estates Winery – Sacramento

This winery estate includes a serene lake, olive groves, and a grand reception lawn, creating a romantic European-inspired atmosphere.

Hidden Grove Woodland – Woodland

An enchanting outdoor venue with towering trees and a secluded woodland feel, perfect for couples who want a natural, storybook setting.

Catta Verdera Country Club – Lincoln

This Spanish-style clubhouse offers sweeping golf course views and elegant indoor and outdoor spaces, just outside Sacramento.

Little Hills Weddings – San Ramon

Nestled in the rolling East Bay hills, Little Hills provides a private, oak-studded venue with a laid-back, natural charm.

Il Refugio – Vallecito (Gold Country / Sierra Foothills)

A quiet and secluded estate surrounded by the Sierra foothills, Il Refugio is ideal for couples seeking intimacy and natural beauty.

Best California Wedding Venues on the Central Coast (Monterey, Carmel, Paso Robles & San Luis Obispo)

Folktale Winery – Carmel Valley

With fairytale-inspired architecture and lush gardens, Folktale Winery feels like stepping into a European estate. It’s a romantic and whimsical setting for wine country weddings.

The Barns at Cooper Molera – Monterey

A historic adobe property in downtown Monterey, The Barns at Cooper Molera offers rustic barns with a charming blend of history and modern event spaces.

Stone Pine Estate – Carmel Valley

This private estate features Italian-style villas, gardens, and sweeping views of Carmel Valley, perfect for a luxurious destination wedding.

Santa Lucia Preserve – Carmel

A 20,000-acre nature preserve with rolling hills, ancient oaks, and meadows, this venue offers unmatched privacy and natural beauty.

Holman Ranch – Carmel Valley

With panoramic valley views, vineyards, and a historic hacienda, Holman Ranch blends rustic charm with elegance in a serene Carmel Valley setting.

Villa San Juliette – San Miguel

Owned by Hollywood producers, this Tuscan-inspired villa winery is tucked into Paso Robles wine country, offering a grand and cinematic feel.

Terra Mia Resort and Wedding Venue – Paso Robles

Set around a sparkling lake with olive trees and vineyards, Terra Mia offers a secluded, romantic backdrop for Paso Robles weddings.

Willow and Oak Estate – Creston

This countryside estate features rolling fields, a white barn, and a relaxed but elegant ranch-style atmosphere.

Greengate Ranch and Vineyard – San Luis Obispo

A working ranch and vineyard with panoramic views, Greengate combines rustic barns, sprawling lawns, and wine country romance.

Villa Loriana – San Luis Obispo

Inspired by Italian villas, this estate features stone archways, gardens, and a lake, giving couples a true European feel in the heart of SLO.

Riata Ranch – Santa Margarita

This Central Coast ranch venue features wide open pastures and a charming barn, perfect for a rustic countryside celebration.

Casa Blanca Interlaken Wedding – Watsonville, CA

A private lakeside venue offering serene water views and a romantic outdoor setting. The property is graced with an Italian-style villa and grounds.

Best California Wedding Venues in Southern California (Santa Barbara, Ventura, Malibu & Orange County)

Tuscan Rose Ranch – Santa Paula

Set against the foothills of Ventura County, Tuscan Rose Ranch is filled with gardens, olive trees, and timeless countryside charm.

Wrensmoor Castle – Alhambra (Los Angeles area)

This whimsical, castle-style estate in LA offers couples a storybook wedding venue with Old World character.

Country Meadow Ranch – Somis

A serene ranch venue with open fields and rustic barns, ideal for couples who want a laid-back Southern California celebration.

Grand View Malibu – Malibu

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this Malibu venue is known for its panoramic coastal views and glamorous California vibes.

Maison des Oliviers – San Juan Capistrano

This private estate offers French-inspired gardens, olive groves, and old-world elegance just minutes from the beach.

Rancho Las Lomas – Silverado

A lush, historic estate surrounded by wildlife and gardens, Rancho Las Lomas combines Spanish architecture with romantic, hidden-garden charm.

San Diego & Temecula

Rancho Bernardo Inn – San Diego

This resort offers luxurious gardens, courtyards, and Mediterranean-inspired architecture, perfect for a refined Southern California wedding.

Temecula Creek Inn – Temecula

A rustic yet elegant retreat, Temecula Creek Inn offers stone cottages, oak trees, and vineyards for a romantic wine country wedding in SoCal.

Your wedding day deserves a setting as unforgettable as the love you’re celebrating, and California is home to some of the most stunning venues in the world. Whether you’re drawn to a vineyard estate in Napa, a coastal retreat in Malibu, or a private ranch on the Central Coast, choosing the right luxury wedding venue is the first step in creating your dream day. If you’re searching for a California wedding photographer who specializes in timeless, true-to-color imagery that beautifully captures every detail, I would be honored to be part of your celebration. I invite you to reach out so we can begin planning the photography experience that will preserve your love story for a lifetime.