It’s here: our definitive list of the BEST wedding venues that offer an outdoor option in the Los Angeles + Orange County area! GWS is based on Southern California, so we consider ourselves quite the experts in the area. Our team members double as photographers, creative consultants, designers, producers—the list goes on!—so we’ve had the honor of working with several venues across SoCal. We know that many of you, our readers, are based here, too! We’ve received enough emails, DMs, PMs, you name it, to know that this list is going to be SO helpful to couples looking to have an outdoor wedding from Malibu down to Laguna. Ready to meet your venue match-made-in-heaven? Let’s do this!
(PS: We’re stoked to bring you this list but if it’s not up your alley, we’ve got you covered, too. Check out our roundups of the coolest barns, most magical castles, and dreamiest greenhouse venues!)
Malibu Area
Adamson House — Malibu
Just a few hundred feet from the beach sits Adamson House, a 1928 Mediterranean-style 50-room home that has since been designated a National Historic Site and a California Historic Landmark. Chances are if you’ve been to Malibu, you’ve spotted the home without knowing it! With its fabulous history (and fabulous tile), the Adamson House is a gorgeous venue that offers outdoor spaces for both the ceremony and reception.
photos: Hannah Costello + Katie Shuler Photography | See all Adamson House features on GWS
Brookview Ranch — Agoura Hills (For 2020 Weddings)
One of our favorite venues, Brookview Ranch, sadly canceled their 2019 wedding season due to the Woolsey Fire. They are rebuilding to re-open in 2020 so if you’re beginning your search later this year, definitely consider Brookview Ranch and contact them for a tour of the new property!
photos: Katie Pritchard | See all Brookview Ranch features on GWS
Cielo Farms Winery — Malibu
Cielo Farms Winery is a privately own vineyard with stunning views and a Tuscan-inspired barn on site. In other words, there are too many newlywed photo ops to count! Get married at golden hour then celebrate under twinkly lights as the sun sets over the mountains. Ah…perfection!
photos: Katch Silva | See all Cielo Farms Winery features on GWS
Calamigos Ranch — Malibu
Get a little whimsical at Calamigos Ranch, where you’re not only surrounded by acreage and mountains—there’s actually a Ferris Wheel on site! Calamigos Ranch offers four unique + private locations on its historic grounds, serving the likes of elegant + enchanting alike.
photos: Gina & Ryan Photography, London Light Photography + Christy Johnston Photography | See all Calamigos Ranch features on GWS
The Lodge at Malibou Lake — Agoura Hills
Travel a little east of the coastline and you’ll find yourself at The Lodge at Malibou Lake, a historic venue in the mountains. Just an hour from downtown Los Angeles, the Lodge features a gorgeous lawn and modern-rustic ballroom, all surrounded by shady trees with the lake in view.
photos: Jillian Rose Photography | See all Lodge at Malibou Lake features on GWS
Malibu Rocky Oaks — Malibu
Your wedding is sure to give you that “on top of the world” feeling, but Malibu Rocky Oaks (also featured in our Top 26 Coolest Places to Get Married) will actually take you there. Say your vows 2,000 feet up in the Santa Monica mountains and dine on the grounds of the estate’s Tuscan-style villa—all the while sipping on the local wines, of course!
photos: Little Boat Photography by Safeena Padder | See all Malibu Rocky Oaks features on GWS
Saddle Rock Ranch — Malibu
Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, Saddlerock Ranch is a working winery with a host of animals (think: zebra, camel, giraffe, llama, alpaca, yak…) on site! Guests may spy a horse grazing in the fields as you say your vows, or take a walk through the rose gardens while you snap photos. With 100 acres of rolling hills and 4 ceremony location options to choose from, it’s the perfect mix of peaceful + rustic.
photos: Saddlerock Ranch + Caroline Tran | See all Saddlerock Ranch features on GWS
Triunfo Creek Vineyards — Malibu
Dine al fresco on the lawn at Triunfo Creek Vineyards (built in bar and all!), or take your smaller party to the farmhouse for a rustic celebration. With 360-degree views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the romance is unavoidable and dances under the stars are undeniable.
photos: Adriana Klas + Lisa Anderson of Wisteria Photography | See all Triunfo Creek Vineyards features on GWS
Wright Ranch — Malibu
For architectural fans, the house-in-progress designed by Eric Lloyd Wright is a hidden gem. Wright Ranch Malibu offers stunning views of the Malibu coastline as well as modern grounds with its sandstone structure. A brilliant blank canvas, Wright Ranch is the perfect place to bring your design vision to life.
photos: Sanford Creative + Studio Castillero | See all Wright Ranch Malibu features on GWS
Los Angeles Area
Descanso Gardens — La Cañada Flintridge
Just 20 minutes from downtown LA, Descanso Gardens is a tranquil retreat at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Year-round natural beauty and botanic displays make for the most enchanted garden wedding on the dreamy estate!
photos: Morgan McCanne + Steve Cowell Photo | See all Descanso Gardens features on GWS
The Fig House — Highland Park
The Fig House is an indoor/outdoor venue that not so much rustic as it is modern glamour! Wed surrounded by lush greenery and lounge on the plush green velvet couches—it’s the best of both worlds.
photos: Logan Cole, Fondly Forever + Krista Mason Photography | See all The Fig House features on GWS
Grass Room — Downtown LA
Grass Room has lived many lives…its first as a fish + oyster company in the ’20s! All its quirks lead to a whimsical wedding day from the greenhouse-like courtyard to the reception space. Grass Room is 6,000 square feet of history + unique design.
photos: Madison Hope Photography
Lombardi House — Hollywood
If you’re lured by the idea of Hollywood History, Lombardi House is for you. A versatile indoor/outdoor space, the historic estate has hosted its fair share of Hollywood royalty on its cozy lawn and throughout it’s refurbished halls. All that crisp what space—it’s a designer’s dream!
photos: Mary McLeod, Floataway Studios + Tyler Branch | See all Lombardi House features on GWS
Millwick — Downtown (Arts District)
Millwick was a nearly abandoned building for 80 years and is a must-see for couples looking to plan an earth-friendly wedding. But the green focus doesn’t stop there—from jungle-inspired greenery to the wall-to-ceiling green courtyard, the lush photo ops are endless!
photos: Krista Mason Photography + Jenny Smith & Co. | See all Millwick features on GWS
The Ruby Street — Highland Park
The Ruby Street was once a church, a suffragette house, a civil rights meeting spot—and always a place for people to come together. Come for the unique interiors, stained glass, pink shiplap, and modern installations stay for the cute exterior + lawn!
photos: With Love by Georgie, Mary Costa Photography + The Ruby Street | See all The Ruby Street features on GWS
Smog Shoppe — Culver City
Two words: vertical garden. Smog Shoppe has one of the most epic greenery ceremony backdrops we’ve ever seen. It’s 100% solar powered and 1000% CUUUTE. Another indoor/outdoor green haven in the heart of Los Angeles from Marvimon!
photos: Love Tribe Weddings + Marissa Maharaj | See all Smog Shoppe features on GWS
The Unique Space — Downtown
The Unique Space is the downtown industrial space you’ve been looking for. With rooftop access, the views over the city just get sweeter as the sun sets! Opt for an outdoor reception for head downstairs for exposed brick, cute wallpaper, and huge light-leaking garage doors.
photos: The Unique Space | See all The Unique Space features on GWS
Valentine — Downtown
The newest property from Marvimon, Valentine (also featured in our Top 26 Coolest Places to Get Married) offers a greenhouse ceremony site and plenty of quirky details throughout its revamp of the 1920s building. Get weird and have fun with this downtown venue!
photos: Valentine
Orange County Area
Casino San Clemente — San Clemente
If you ever dreamed of getting married where Judy Garland once sang, we’ve got the place for you. Casino San Clemente hosted several Hollywood heavyweights in 75 years of entertaining and the seaside establishment is a fine mix of history + dreamy design. The perfect setting to create your own history!
photos: Casino San Clemente | See all Casino San Clemente features on GWS
Franciscan Gardens — San Juan Capistrano
Franciscan Gardens‘ old-world charm will have you at hello. Flowering gardens + historic brick backdrops are the stuff romance is made of! It’s the dreamiest little hideaway for a rustic + elegant wedding day.
photos: feather + north | See all Franciscan Gardens features on GWS
Hangar 21 — Fullerton
Just married with a side of helicopter ride? Hanger 21 houses more than just a large floorplan with versatile indoor/outdoor options—you’ll also get a getaway ‘copter! Not a thing? It is now. Plus, this unique venue is a dreamy blank slate for all types of styles + designs!
photos: Oana Foto + Alexandria Monette | See all Hangar 21 features on GWS
The Harper — Costa Mesa
The Harper is one of the newest event spaces on our list! Inspired by European countryside and featuring urban, contemporary touches, this indoor/outdoor space is perfect for intimate + extravagant alike.
photos: The Harper
Howl Event Space — Downtown Long Beach
Howl Event Space features an indoor reception space that spills into the outdoor courtyard for a ceremony to remember. The newly renovated 1900s building gives off an updated backyard wedding feel—a comfortable and welcome meeting place.
photos: Petersen Design & Photography + Sposto Photography | See all Howl Event Space features on GWS
The Nursery by Southwinds — Irvine
“A tribute to what outdoor living could and should be.” The Nursery by Southwinds‘ winding trails, dreamy botanic vignettes, working garden + farm, and lush lawns are transforming + inviting! Saying your vows among so much plant life? It can’t help but be enchanting.
photos: The Nursery by Southwinds
Ole Hanson Beach Club — San Clemente
Looking for an ocean view? Ole Hanson Beach Club is a 1928 Spanish-Revival-style white stucco building featuring all the dreamy architectural details (that tile!) that will make your wedding photos pop, but it’s that seaside location that brings it home! Historic design + salt water—does it get any better?
photos: Ole Hanson Beach Club + Nicole Balsamo Photography | See all Ole Hanson Beach Club features on GWS
The Villa San Juan Capistrano — San Juan Capistrano
The aisle is cobblestone. The turn-of-the-century Spanish home is covered in ivy. There are gas lanterns. There are fruit trees. The Villa San Juan Capistrano, in short, is a magical place! A timeless venue for an unforgettable day.
photos: Sarah Sotro
Have a favorite that didn’t make our list? Leave your recommendation in the comments below. Happy planning to all!
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Hello, your blog is really nice! Thank you for sharing the list of Best Outdoor Wedding Venues from Los Angeles to Orange County. These wedding venues are very beautiful and helpful for us in getting ideas for the outdoor wedding. Keep sharing!
The Houdini Estate in Laurel Canyon is exquisite