Beautiful Ranch Wedding Venues in Southern California: Our Roundup of 8!

Ranch Wedding Venues in Southern California

Dreaming of combining the rugged, rustic outdoors with the romance of exchanging your “I do’s”? Then, a ranch wedding could just make that dream come true! And you need not travel all the way out West. There are fabulous ranches right here in Southern California that offer picture-perfect venues for nuptials and other events. These 8 amazing options we found are proof indeed!

Take Your Pick from These California Ranch Venues

Our choices feature varied settings for different types and sizes of weddings—cozy clearings under towering trees, charming gardens and vineyards, animal corrals and paddocks, breathtaking mountain views. There’s sure to be a ranch wedding venue for you among them!

San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, California

San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, California

Talk about romance! Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh were wed amidst the lush Lower Gardens of the San Ysidro Ranch. And it boasts of wonderful choices for weddings of all sizes—from the 10,000 square-foot Upper Estate Lawn with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean; to picturesque venues for 50 to 100 guests like the Wine Cellar, the Old Adobe, Hydrangea Cottage, the Stonehouse, and the Plow and Angel. (Image: Wild Whim Photography)

Oak Canyon Ranch

Oak Canyon Ranch, Santa Monica, California

Oak Canyon Ranch promises a peaceful, serene setting in 48 secluded acres nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, 25 miles from Los Angeles and 10 miles from Malibu. Groves of mature oak trees offer privacy and shade. On site are a large reception hall, a lodge, many additional cottages, and riding trails; with the Ranch management offering full event services as needed.

Saddlerock Ranch, Malibu, California

Saddlerock Ranch, Malibu, California

Encircled by the spectacular Santa Monica mountains, Saddlerock Ranch occupies 1,000 acres of rolling hills lined with vineyards, manicured lawns, ancient oaks, rose gardens, and white-fenced paddocks for grazing horses. It has been the picture-perfect setting for celebrity weddings, boasting of five unique and private locations available to rent—The Garden, The Oak Grove, The Vineyard, The Hilltop, and vintage-themed Camp Cabernet—along with a list of preferred event vendors.

Hummingbird Nest Ranch, Santa Susana, California

Hummingbird Nest Ranch, Santa Susana, California

Nestled in the Santa Susana Mountains less than a half hour from L.A., Hummingbird Nest Ranch extends over 126 acres and offers an array of outdoor spaces perfect for ceremonies and receptions for up to 1,000 guests. It is dominated by a sprawling Colonial Spanish style villa with regal architecture and décor, and a main circular court with a central fountain.

Among the  venue options at the Ranch are the large Grand Prix lawn, which can be tented for grand weddings; the expansive Lake Lawn bordering a tranquil lake; and the original 1920s ranch house, known as “Sitting Bull,” with century-old eucalyptus and olive trees, a cobblestone courtyard, a sizeable garden, and a sparkling pool area. Several fully equipped guest houses also allow for an extended stay by the newlyweds.

The Condor’s Nest Ranch, North San Diego, Pala, California

The Condor’s Nest Ranch, North San Diego, Pala, California

The Condor’s Nest Ranch, located in North San Diego, is a small  family-run wedding venue—awarded as “The Best Outdoor Wedding Venue in San Diego” by Here Comes the Guide in 2018.  They have a 6,000 square-foot glass and adobe Ranch Style Home—decorated in “vintage cowboy and Indian” style—and a 2-bedroom Cottage (originally the bunkhouse) on a 20 acre property. The ambiance is low stress and low key, aiming to allow everyone to enjoy themselves and use the property as their own, while management attends to all of the wedding arrangements. They even have a Prop House stocked with decor elements (rustic signs, vintage luggage, old birdcages, table numbers, etc.) for the couple to choose from!

Circle Oak Ranch, De Luz Valley, San Diego County, California

Circle Oak Ranch, De Luz Valley, San Diego County, California

The Circle Oak Ranch is a premier Southern California wedding venue located in a private 13-acre property. It provides several different settings for receptions and ceremonies with varied themes—a Rustic Ranch Wedding, Outdoor Vintage Chic, a Ceremony and Reception Under Oak Trees, a Farm Wedding, a Private Estate Wedding, a Reception Under Market Lights and Stars, an Intimate Private Gathering, and a Spanish Courtyard for Cocktail Hour. There are numerous photo locations on the property including an expansive meadow, as well as authentic props such as a Ford farm tractor and an antique Chevrolet truck.

Rim Rock Ranch, Pioneer Town, California

Rim Rock Ranch, Pioneer Town, California

Rimrock Ranch is located on a 36-acre property situated just outside Joshua Tree National Park in Pioneertown—just 2 hours from Los Angeles and 40 minutes from Palm Springs. (Trivia: It was originally built as the weekend retreat for Western actors like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.) The ranch consists of 4 rustic cabins, retro-fitted Airstream trailers, a lodge, and the internationally famous architectural masterpiece known as the Hatch House.

Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad, California

Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad, California

This 1939 ranch has a rich history revolving around its founder—actor, preservationist, and conservationist, Leo Carrillo (1880-1961)—who wanted to recreate an Old California-style working rancho. It offers a beautiful venue for hosting up to 300 guests, with the distinct charm of a “destination” wedding setting, even if you’re locals. All vendors are pre-approved, making your planning process easy. Simply choose from one of several package options the ranch offers.

For a uniquely memorable Ranch Wedding, then, do we hear you saying, “California, here we come”? Why not? The venue choices are fabulous!

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