The Journal

Best California ranch wedding venues

Ranch wedding venues are our very favorite: the great outdoors, the rustic surroundings (peppered with modern design elements, of course!), the rough-around-the-edges vibe that contrasts marvelously with a sophisticated wedding celebration. Yes, ranch weddings have our hearts, and there’s no shortage of great options for hosting your wedding at a ranch in Central and Southern California!

Here are our picks for the very best California ranch wedding venues.

Greengate Ranch wedding reception

Sammie + Dave’s wedding reception at Greengate Ranch

 

Greengate Ranch

This is hands-down one of our all-time favorite wedding venues! Greengate Ranch has it all — a ranch house for couples to stay onsite with their family and/or wedding party, a pond, vineyards, stables, a barn… it’s a great spot to host your entire wedding weekend.

 

Klentner Ranch

Located in Carpinteria, Klentner Ranch has ocean views and lots of space for couples to host their ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. A grand staircase serves as a dramatic ceremony aisle (a great photo opportunity, of course!).

 

Whispering Rose Ranch Solvang weddingWhispering Rose Ranch weddingWhispering Rose Ranch wedding

 

Whispering Rose Ranch

A beautiful, sprawling venue that is also a working horse ranch, Whispering Rose Ranch is just down the street from charming Solvang (with plenty of hotel options for guests) and has many options for spots to host your ceremony and reception (and sneak away for sunset photos!).

 

Hummingbird Nest Ranch

Completely hidden from the nearby 101 freeway, you’d never suspect there was such a stunning venue nestled among the Santa Susana Mountains. We LOVED getting to photograph at this venue for Celeste and Matt’s wedding!

 

Greengate Ranch wedding reception

Wedding Styling Workshop at Higuera Ranch

 

Higuera Ranch

As the host of the 2019 Wedding Styling Workshop, Higuera Ranch has a special place in our hearts!

 

 

Santa Margarita Ranch

We love the possibilities at this sprawling property, with a historic barn and the Pacific Coast Railroad, which has coaches from the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad dating back to the 1950s (board the train with your wedding party to check out the best photo spots around the ranch!).

 

Holman Ranch

As one of Carmel Valley’s premiere wedding venues, Holman Ranch offers wine tasting, space for up to 500 guests, and over 400 acres to explore.

 

 

Seven Sycamores Ranch

This one is such a delightfully-surprising hidden gem! Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch in Ivanhoe (about an hour southeast of Fresno) offers a variety of event spaces, lots of lush greenery, and the gorgeous light-filled Glass Barn (perfect for receptions and sunset photo ops).

Ready for more inspiration?