Santa Barbara is known for its exquisite wine country, home to some of the most enviable weddings in the country, but it is also a perfect place to get married if you dream of a wedding on the beach or by the sea. If you’re looking for Santa Barbara wedding venues with ocean views, you won’t be disappointed with these stunning options. Roof decks, a clifftop pergola, and expansive oceanfront resorts are just a few of the ceremony and reception venues we’ll share for your special day.
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Read more about our favorite Santa Barbara ocean view wedding venues.
Rincon Beach Club
If you are looking for mountain and ocean views, we suggest the Rincon Beach Club in Carpinteria. This luxurious venue has two great options for your ceremony, including a secluded location on the beach. Return to the club for your reception in the on-site romantic garden, which is surrounded by tall hedges, mature trees, and features a grass and stone patio. The Rincon Beach Club is a full service venue, with an expert team of in-house event professionals who can help you plan and run your big day. In addition to catering and bartending services, the Rincon Beach Club offers optional decor rentals, from cabanas, chairs, and glassware to signage, vases, and lighting.
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Santa Barbara Sailing Center
If you dream of getting married overlooking the water, why not get married in Water? The Santa Barbara Sailing Center makes it easy to say “yes, I do” as you cruise the Pacific Ocean. You’ll enjoy incredible views of Santa Barbara and the Southern California coastline, especially if you cruise at sunset. You choose the size of the ship and the length of the trip, whether it’s a one-hour cruise or a day trip to the nearby Channel Islands. The Double Dolphin catamaran can accommodate 41 passengers – perfect if you are planning a small wedding and looking for unique venues in Santa Barbara. For even smaller groups, the Santa Barbara Sailing Center has a fleet of Catalina yachts, with capacity for six passengers each. Once back on land, you have the option of renting the oceanfront clubhouse, which is a great space to enjoy a few cocktails or a casual meal with your wedding party.
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Californian Hotel
If you’re looking for a modern venue to host your wedding with stunning rooftop views, this modern downtown Santa Barbara hotel (Funk Zone, specifically) is the place for you. With red terra cotta ceilings, white stucco walls, and colorful tile floors, the brand new Hotel Californian embodies Santa Barbara’s distinctive Spanish Colonial Revival style. On the big day, enjoy incredible panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains from the Mirador, the hotel’s luxurious terrace, which can be used for your wedding ceremony and reception. Other options at the hotel include a grassy patio and a Moroccan-style ballroom. Other perks include an on-site spa, farm-to-table catering, and craft cocktails notable enough to appeal to locals.
More information about Hotel Californian “
Maritime Museum of Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has almost everything you need for a beautiful beachfront wedding. For starters, the museum has three different venues to choose from, each with its own atmosphere and services. The Ocean View Patio overlooks the Santa Barbara Harbor, with a maximum capacity of 75 guests for a seated reception or 150 for a cocktail. At the Crow’s Nest (a rooftop deck that seats 12), you’ll have an even better view of the water and the mountains in the distance. There is also an option inside, the museum theater, which seats 88 people. For a larger number of visitors, you can choose to rent the entire museum. Along with the rental of the premises, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum will provide you with tables, chairs, a dance floor, audiovisual facilities and catering packages. If time and availability allow, you can hop aboard a museum yacht to get some memorable photos from the wedding.
More information about the Santa Bárbara Maritime Museum “
Ragged Point Inn & Resort
Head north a few hours to Big Sur and you will find the beautiful Ragged Point Inn & Resort. Perched on a cliff high above the ocean, this place is the epitome of California landscapes. A redwood ceremonial pagoda sits on the edge of a spacious lawn, overlooking both the water and the mountains of the Central Coast. Host your reception in the venue’s enclosed sun terrace, featuring glass walls and 360-degree views. Catering is provided by the inn’s gourmet restaurant, known for its seasonally inspired and locally sourced menus. You can reserve the resort’s Cliff House, a private five-room home that works perfectly as a bridal suite or venue for your wedding party if you are hosting a wedding at your destination. The rest of your guests can spend the night at the resort in cozy rooms overlooking the garden or the cliff.
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Bacara Resort & Spa
Spanning nearly 80 acres of shoreline, the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort & Spa is one of Santa Barbara’s finest oceanfront wedding venues. An oceanfront lawn offers you an unobstructed panoramic view of the water, while landscaped gardens and charming Spanish-style architecture add to the serene and relaxed atmosphere of the resort. Couples are raving about the impeccable service of the staff, from wedding coordination to catering to personal attention. The pampering doesn’t stop there. During your wedding stay, enjoy a relaxing spa session in the resort’s holistic wellness center and enjoy five-star accommodations in exclusive suites and penthouses.
More information about Bacara Resort & Spa “
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
Located in the heart of Ventura, this world-class hotel is easily accessible from Santa Barbara, about 27 miles south or about a 30-minute drive down Highway 101. The oceanfront ceremony location is one of our best options for weddings in Santa Barbara with ocean views. The ceremony location on the beach brings you as close to the ocean as possible, with the historic Ventura Pier not far in the distance. If you are looking for something indoors, this venue has multiple ballrooms and banquet halls overlooking the water. The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach is a one-of-a-kind venue for your wedding day, offering additional amenities like guest room blocks, event rentals, and all-inclusive wedding packages. Plus, it is pet friendly! Across the street is the Ventura Pier and Boardwalk, where you can get something to eat or enjoy a picturesque sunset.
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Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort
Whether you want a ceremony overlooking the beach or on the beach, the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort has options for both. The Presidential Lawn, the most popular spot in the place, is a semicircle of grass surrounded by palm trees that rises to the sand – think of beach weddings joining a tropical garden. For your reception, choose from several private ballrooms and banquet spaces. Catering, bartender, decorative rentals, and installation are all included in your rental. As an added bonus, couples receive two complimentary nights at the hotel.
More information on Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort “