Are you looking for unique Santa Barbara Outdoor Wedding Venues, but don’t know where to start?
I am a wedding photographer located in Southern California and if there is one thing I have seen A LOT of, it’s wedding venues.
Below I have included what I believe are the best wedding venues in Santa Barbara.
Select Your Venue Style/Vibe
First things first, try to envision what your perfect Santa Barbara wedding venue would FEEL or look like atmosphere wise.
Do you have your vision in mind? Great!
Now, go ahead and take a look at the atmosphere categories below and note the two categories that best reflect what you imagined in the visualization exercise!
- Santa Barbara Wedding Venues with Ocean Views
- Best Wedding Venues in Santa Barbara with Exquisite Architecture
- Small Wedding Venues in Santa Barbara for Intimate Receptions or Elopements
- Woodsy Santa Barbara Wedding Venues
- Wedding Venues That Transport You to Another Country
- Santa Barbara Outdoor Wedding Venues - Vineyard, Ranch, or Garden
Once you have decided on which atmosphere category best fits what you’re looking for, look at the corresponding venues below!
Some of these Santa Barbara outdoor wedding venues actually fit into more than one category. If so, you’ll find them in both categories to ensure you don’t miss out on any great options!
Click on the name of the wedding venue to be taken to the venue’s website.
Santa Barbara Wedding Venues with Ocean Views
Klentner Ranch | Santa Barbara Wedding Venue
Klentner ranch is a Santa Barbara wedding venue that is rustic, natural, and elegant. It has ocean and mountain views along with 40 acres of gardens and natural environment.
I think people love Santa Barbara mainly because it offers a relaxed atmosphere with a romantic quality and natural beauty. This is also what San Ysidro Ranch offers. It’s luxurious and includes over 500 acres of landscape.
This Santa Barbara wedding venue is truly one of a kind with it’s 360 degree views of the Santa Ynez mountains and the ocean. Along with gorgeous views, it has Eucalyptus, magnolia, and orange blossom treas. Personally, this is one of my absolute favorites out of this list of Santa Barbara wedding venues.
Overall, this venue has an idyllic atmosphere, representative of Santa Barbara as a whole.
Rancho Dos Pueblos is a venue that takes advantage of a lot of the beauty Santa Barbara has to offer. It includes multiple backdrops, such a the beach, mountain, garden settings, a barn, etc. This venue is a Santa Barbara wedding venue with an ocean view.
This is a private ranch filled with canyons, oak trees, views of the ocean and mountains. It has an elegant rustic quality.
The Santa Barbara Biltmore is a Santa Barbara wedding venue with an ocean view, luxurious ballrooms, and a pristine atmosphere.
I love this venue because it makes you feel like you’re in Santa Barbara, as well as abroad – perhaps in Greece or Spain. It has a Mediterranean style and panoramic views of both the ocean & mountains.
The ceremony and reception could take place on their amazing rooftop. Since this is a hotel, guests could stay there after the event, offering ease and convenience. This is a Santa Barbara wedding venue with an ocean view.
A unique venue that combines the best of both worlds - gorgeous views of the sea along with a woodsy/forest vibe.
This is a 230 acre park that has breathtaking ocean and mountain views.
For some more Santa Barbara beach wedding options, check out more venues below:
- Santa Barbara Sailing Center
- Hotel Californian
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
- Ritz Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara
- Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
Best Wedding Venues in Santa Barbara with Exquisite Architecture
The Santa Barbara Courthouse has some of the best Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture I have ever seen. If you're interested in having a Santa Barbara Courthouse elopement or wedding, I wrote a complete guide on everything you need to know HERE.
This venue is from the 1880s, offering history and authenticity.
They also offer a unique culinary experience.
The Old Mission Santa Barbara was build in 1786 by the Spanish. It has been continuously occupied by Franciscan friars and Catholic weddings are permitted exclusively in the beautifully maintained church.
El Presido De Santa Barbara Historic Park
El Presido De Santa Barbara Historic Park is open to all types of ceremonies. Many choose to have their ceremonies here with their receptions at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
This is an open, airy museum with a really romantic backdrop!
Combines both beautiful architecture and views
A favorite among Santa Barbara wedding photographers, this is a hidden gem in Santa Ynez Valley, which is only a 30 minute drive from Santa Barbara. It only holds a very limited amount of weddings per year, so for this particular venue, one has to book well in advance. What’s it like?
It reminds me of an enchanted, storybook castle in the countryside somewhere in France. I am not exaggerating. It even comes with lavender fields. This truly is an exquisite Santa Barbara wedding location.
Tip - ask your Santa Barbara wedding photographer to make sure to get photos of you by "the castle" and lavender fields. Both are such beautiful backdrops!
Small Wedding Venues in Santa Barbara for Intimate Receptions
This is definitely one of the most breathtaking Santa Barbara outdoor wedding venues. It includes a 120 year old cottage covered in roses, as well a beautiful barn. If there is one word I’d use to describe this venue, it would be “romantic.” It makes you feel like you’re in the English countryside, surrounded by large trees, roses, stone, and at night – an exquisite starry sky. This is the perfect venue for a Santa Barbara elopement or intimate wedding.
I am drawn to this Santa Barbara wedding location because it has a quirky element that sets it apart from the others. As the name discloses, this venue. is an actual tavern. With that comes exquisite craftsman structures and an old west experience.
I love this venue because it makes you feel like you’re in Santa Barbara, as well as abroad – perhaps in Greece or Spain. It has a Mediterranean style and panoramic views of both the ocean & mountains.
The ceremony and reception could take place on their amazing rooftop. Since this is a hotel, guests could stay there after the event, offering ease and convenience. This is a Santa Barbara wedding venue with an ocean view.
If you’re going for a Santa Barbara wedding venue with a modern, urban vibe, my suggestion would be the Narrative Loft. It’s an indoor venue with nice window light and gorgeous wooden, beam cielings.
A romantic outdoor Santa Barbara wedding venue located on State street.
This wedding venue is located right in the center of Solvang. It’s a cute hotel with a phenomenal location.
Amazing Restaurants for an Intimate Dinner
If you're eloping, it's always a nice touch to go to dinner afterwards! I'm including some of my favorite places below that have a gorgeous ambience and great food. These are also great for an intimate reception with your nearest and dearest!
- Mesa Verde
- Los Agaves
- Villa Wine Bar & Kitchen
- Brophy Bros (Casual Vibe with a Beautiful View of the Water + Best Seafood Ever!)
- Convivo
- Santo Mezcal
Woodsy Santa Barbara Wedding Venues
Santa Barbara Women's Club Rockwood
As far as Santa Barbara outdoor wedding venues, this space is perfect for those who are looking for an atmosphere focused on nature. This historic Spanish-Colonial architecture and is tucked in a secluded canyon above Santa Barbara. Ceremonies are held on a stone-walled terrace underneath a huge oak trees. The reception is held in a ballroom with vintage chandeliers and oak floors. This venue is perfect for those looking to get married within nature and want a wedding with natural, rustic vibes.
This is a 230 acre park that has breathtaking ocean and mountain views.
Wedding Venues That Transport You to Another Country
This Santa Barbara wedding venue is SO stunning. It includes a 120 year old cottage covered in roses, as well a beautiful barn. If there is one word I’d use to describe this venue, it would be “romantic.” It makes you feel like you’re in the English countryside, surrounded by large trees, roses, stone, and at night – an exquisite starry sky.
This venue is just outside Santa Barbara. It includes Spanish architecture, breathtaking views, a gorgeous courtyard, and more! It also includes plenty of room accommodations for your desk, which adds a major element of convenience!
This is a 29 acre vineyard in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. If you’d like to have a Santa Barbara wedding that makes you feel like you are tucked away in the French countryside, this is it. This is probably one of my top 3 Santa Barbara wedding venues.
A favorite among Santa Barbara wedding photographers, this is a hidden gem in Santa Ynez Valley, which is only a 30 minute drive from Santa Barbara. It only holds a very limited amount of weddings per year, so for this particular venue, one has to book well in advance. What’s it like?
It reminds me of an enchanted, storybook castle in the countryside somewhere in France. I am not exaggerating. It even comes with lavender fields. This truly is an exquisite Santa Barbara wedding location.
Tip - ask your Santa Barbara wedding photographer to make sure to get photos of you by "the castle" and lavender fields. Both are such beautiful backdrops!
This is an Italian style venue with twinkling lights. It’s in the middle of beautiful wine country.
San Ysidro Ranch is one of those Santa Barbara outdoor wedding venues that manages to be nostalgic, luxurious, romantic, and tranquil all at the same time. As far as Solvang wedding venues go, it’s certainly one of the prettiest. It sprawls over 17 miles of land, including gardens filled with lavender, jasmine, orange blossoms, and more.
It’s also located in between the mountains and the ocean. Plenty of celebrities have called it home, including Audrey Hepburn, Churchill, and JKF to name a few.
Santa Barbara Outdoor Wedding Venues - Vineyard, Ranch, or Garden
Technically this in San Luis Obispo, but it’s worth mentioning since it’s near Santa Barbara. San Luis Obispo is an idyllic location with gorgeous views. This venue has a barnyard, cottage, and lot’s of nature. A great choice if you are going for an upscale rustic vibe. This venue resides on a beautiful hilltop area, with 360 degrees of panoramic views.
In the. middle of wine country, this gorgeous Santa Barbara wedding venue offers a countryside feel with picturesque gardens. It includes wandering paths
Surrounded by oak trees and wisterias, this Santa Barbara wedding venue is located in the heart of wine country.
I am drawn to this Santa Barbara wedding location because it has a quirky element that sets it apart from the others. As the name discloses, this venue is an actual tavern. With that comes exquisite craftsman structures and an old west experience.
Wha a fun option for a Santa Barbara wedding, especially if you both love animals. The Santa Barbara zoo is on the smaller side, which makes it less overwhelming and perfect for a Santa Barbara wedding.
This Santa Barbara wedding venue has a wild west charm. It has a natural environment and is especially perfect for more adventurous couples. This is a venue where you can have dinner underneath the stars, go horseback riding, etc.
Can’t decide between Palm Springs or Santa Barbara for your wedding? This venue is your solution. While located in Santa Barbara, it offers a slight Palm Springs feel with it’s panoramic mountain views and spacious stone pool.
Harley farms is a gorgeous Santa Barbara venue located in wine country. It contains a 200 year old oak tree, often used as the backdrop for the ceremony space. Harley farms only hosts around 10 – 12 events a year to truly personalize every wedding experience.
This is a victorian venue in Santa Barbara wine county. It includes a beautiful rose garden and old-world, romantic atmosphere.
Rancho Dos Pueblos is a venue that takes advantage of a lot of the beauty Santa Barbara has to offer. It includes multiple backdrops, such a the beach, mountain, garden settings, a barn, etc. This venue is a Santa Barbara wedding venue with an ocean view.
This wedding venue reflects the beauty of Santa Ynez valley – rustic, sophisticated, and romantic. It’s a 40 acre vineyard complete with incredible food, gardens, etc.
This is a private ranch filled with canyons, oak trees, views of the ocean and mountains. It has an elegant rustic quality.
This Solvang wedding venue has a wild west charm. This is a venue where you can have dinner underneath the stars, go horseback riding, etc. A great option for more adventurous couples!
Solvang wedding venues are known for their charm and this one doesn’t fall short! It has gorgeous views of rolling hills and delicious wine.
This farmhouse is in the middle of the mountains above the Santa Ynez Valley. It offers a fun and relaxing atmosphere.
A gorgeous winery with breathtaking sites. Truly a spectacular location for a Solvang wedding.
I like this venue a lot! It’s romantic venue and surrounded by nature.
I hope you found this list of wedding venues in Santa Barbara, CA helpful! If you’d like more info about wedding photography, please feel free to contact me here.
Share this story
