The Best Raw Wedding Spaces & Venues in Santa Cruz, CA

The Best Raw Wedding Spaces & Venues in Santa Cruz, CA

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7 Wedding Venues in Santa Cruz, CA

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Sydalyn Hill 

5.0

Felton, CA
  • Up to 150 guests
  • Raw space
  • Outdoor
  • Starts at $17,000

Welcome. Sydalyn Hill is a new, exclusive family-run farm and venue that hosts a limited number of weddings a year between May and September. Perched on a sunny hilltop off Highway 9 across from the Garden of Eden and surrounded by Henry Cowell State Park, this hidden treasure has an expansive view of the San Lorenzo Valley, providing a magical backdrop of rustic elegance for your special day!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Unique barn setting
  • Allows pets
  • Surrounded by nature

Venue considerations

  • No built-in audiovisual options
  • Requires outside catering services
  • Not wheelchair accessible
Awarded Best of Zola
Sydalyn Hill, and its owners, Gwyn and Jon, are simply amazing. The venue itself is gorgeous and hidden in plain site. It's just a little bit off of Highway 9, but it feels like you've arrived in heaven when you get there. At the same time it is, paradoxically, expansive and yet completely intimate. I've dj'd there on a couple of occasions, and both times it felt like there was magic in there air. I know this is full of superlatives, but I can't say enough good things about this place. Gwyn and Jon are delightful and highly professional. They make sure everything is in place and have a high attention to detail. Both are extremely nice and easy to work with. Anyone considering getting married in the Santa Cruz area owes it to themselves to have a look at this gem.
Scott Trugman, 3 years ago
Aptos Village Park 
Aptos, CA
  • Up to 200 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $875

Tucked away in the former Aptos Village, this lush, 10-acre park offers a breathtaking outdoor venue. The charming clubhouse and picturesque park is located between the beaches and hills of Aptos, just steps off the highway and minutes from downtown Santa Cruz. The spacious, grassy lawn is a charming location for an outdoor ceremony, and your guests will enjoy the sounds of the babbling brook that lines the park. Tall, green trees frame the lawn and surrounding area, and happy birds tweet a song just for you on your special day under a cloudless blue sky. A sweet gazebo makes your fantasy ceremony come alive, and your guests will enjoy the festivities inside the grand hall. The lovely stone patio will be filled with the people you love enjoying themselves as they celebrate your love while dining and dancing.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Raw space for complete customization
  • Rustic yet refined style
  • Has an energetic and exciting atmosphere

Venue considerations

  • Couple must handle cleanup and setup
  • Large venue, not ideal for small guest lists
  • Dance floor not included
Seascape County Park 
Aptos, CA
  • Up to 150 guests
  • Raw space
  • Outdoor
  • Starts at $150

Stroll through this 6 acre neighborhood park or rest on one of the handsome benches created by artist Mary Fuller, which are carved with images of local wildlife, as you catch the breathtaking view of the Monterey Bay. A picnic area and a wheelchair accessible playground and restrooms are available. Wedding ceremonies are available with a reservation on the bluff overlooking the ocean.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Natural elegance with open spaces
  • Offers full flexibility in setup and decor
  • Has a relaxed and casual vibe

Venue considerations

  • Does not provide event staff
  • No venue-provided food services
  • Does not allow pets
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The Highlands House 
Ben Lomond, CA
  • Up to 200 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $975

The Highlands House is an elegant-meets-homey mansion with a private yard nestled in enchanted forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The venue features several rooms for dining and dancing, a wet bar, a large kitchen, two changing rooms, an elegant staircase perfect for grand entrances. A brick pathway leads from the house to the lawn. There, you’ll find a ceremony area on one side and on the other, space large enough for guests to dine and play yard games. The lawn is surrounded by trees and hedges, creating intimacy for your upscale backyard party. Tables and chairs are provided. The rest - from décor to caterers - is up to you, which makes the Highlands House an extraordinarily customizable venue. The Highlands House can host up to 200 people in the peak season (April – October) and 100 during the winter season (November – March). This includes your guests, vendors, and anyone else helping you on your big day.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Multiple event spaces
  • Bridal suite on site
  • Wheelchair accessible

Venue considerations

  • Does not have a dance floor
  • Requires outside catering services
  • Does not allow pets
Quail Hollow Ranch 
Felton, CA
  • Up to 120 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $875

Quail Hollow Ranch is a charming ranch of historical and ecological significance. The ranch was once the home of the Lane family who owned Sunset Magazine from 1929-1991. The park sits on ecologically rare habitats with endemic wild flowers and abundant wildlife. Your reservation includes the exquisite ranch house and spacious lawn which offers scenic views of an orchard and the forested Santa Cruz Mountains. This location is well-suited for outdoor ceremonies and receptions.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Rustic-chic setting
  • Flexible event spaces
  • Private area for the wedding party

Venue considerations

  • Limited cleanup and setup services
  • No built-in audiovisual options
  • Does not provide event staff
Valencia Hall 
Aptos, CA
  • Up to 80 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $640

Valencia Hall is a popular location for weddings, parties and meetings. The Valencia Hall and historic General Store/Post Office are the last two remnants of Frederick Hihn's logging community of Valencia. Built by Hihn in the early 1880's, these historic buildings allowed the community to gather for a variety of events. Following in this tradition, Santa Cruz County Parks offers this unique facility for your special event.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Flexible event spaces
  • Classic, vintage atmosphere
  • Offers full flexibility in setup and decor

Venue considerations

  • No on-site guest accommodations
  • Does not have a dance floor
  • Does not allow pets

Location flexible? Discover venues near Santa Cruz, CA

About wedding venues in Santa Cruz, CA

California offers an incredible 840 miles of coastline, 3,000+ wineries and ancient redwoods for your wedding day. When you choose the Golden State, you're getting exceptional natural lighting for your ceremony across diverse settings from Mediterranean coastal zones to alpine mountain backdrops. Each region has its own distinctive character that can perfectly match your vision.

What Makes California Wedding Venues So Special?

Northern California's Napa Valley welcomes you with rolling vineyards and Spanish colonial architecture where intimate wine cave ceremonies create unforgettable moments. Head to Southern California and you'll find oceanfront venues like Duke's Malibu where you can exchange vows with the Pacific stretching out behind you while enjoying fresh coastal-inspired cuisine. Palm Springs offers dramatic desert venues with mountain backdrops and striking midcentury modern architecture that photographs beautifully.

How Much Do Wedding Venues in California Cost?

Wedding venues in California typically run between $9,600 and $11,700 which aligns nicely with the national range of $6,500-$12,000. This represents about 18% of your total wedding budget. Your overall costs will vary based on guest count:

  • 50 guests: $26,190
  • 100 guests: $43,692
  • 150 guests: $60,141
  • 200 guests: $74,836
  • 250 guests: $89,530
  • 300 guests: $104,224

Which California Venues Are Fully Accessible?

The Griffith House features wheelchair-accessible pathways throughout its Spanish-style grounds including the private ceremony lawn and separate preparation spaces for couples. You might also consider Holman Ranch Sunstone Winery and Villa del Sol d'Oro though you'll want to directly confirm their specific accessibility features when you visit. Accessibility options have improved greatly across California venues in recent years.

When Should You Book Your California Wedding Venue?

October leads venue inquiries in California with couples typically booking venues about 13 months (400 days) before their wedding date. If you're dreaming of a Northern California wine country wedding during peak season you'll want to book up to 18 months in advance. Southern California venues offer more flexibility especially during winter months when you can still enjoy beautiful weather while potentially securing better rates.

Where Can You Find Exceptional Culinary Experiences in California?

La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla delivers impeccable service with menu options from lobster bisque to perfectly prepared steak. You'll love Vibiana in Los Angeles with its chef-driven menus served in a stunning restored cathedral setting. Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park offers Michelin-star fine dining while Bali Hai Restaurant serves authentic Polynesian cuisine with breathtaking views overlooking San Diego Bay. California's culinary scene truly elevates the wedding experience.

How Do California Wedding Costs Break Down?

VendorAverage Cost% of Total (150 guests)
Venue$10,66518%
Catering$8,53214%
Florists$7,82113%
Bar Services$6,82611%
Photography$4,7648%
Wedding Planners$4,8358%
Videography$4,3097%
Hair & Makeup$6001%
Cake & Desserts$8181%

Which California Venues Offer Enhanced Remote Participation?

Parq Event Center in San Diego features state-of-the-art sound LED screens and projection walls that support advanced streaming capabilities for guests who can't attend in person. You'll find Exchange LA and Wing Tip in San Francisco offer flexible spaces that adapt beautifully for innovative tech integration. These can include virtual reality experiences interactive live streaming and 360-degree cameras that make remote guests feel like they're right there with you. Technology has transformed how we can include loved ones from anywhere in the world.

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