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Updated Mar 06, 202512 Stunning Small Wedding Venues in California to Find Yours
Your West Coast intimate wedding dreams come true.
If you're not the type to go all out with a big, splashy celebration, a small wedding is definitely the way to go. Couples planning to tie the knot on the West Coast are in luck as there are many stunning small wedding venues in California to choose from. Whether you're planning a classic Cali wedding or a beach wedding, there are many Northern and Southern California wedding venues perfect for intimate nuptials.
Because we know planning even a small wedding requires effort, we've done some of the legwork for you and rounded up 12 beautiful small wedding venues in California that accommodate celebrations of 50 or less guests. Best of all, you can find them on The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Let the California wedding planning commence.
Noriega House in Bakersfield, California
The Noriega House, a Bakersfield landmark, is a stellar pick for a small wedding venue in Southern California. For a cozy wedding celebration, look to the Queen Anne Room in particular, which fits up to 40 guests. Awash in white and cream hues and featuring large picture windows, it's the perfect spot for something intimate and special. The Noriega Chapel is also a great option for a simple, intimate ceremony.
Long Beach Museum of Art in Long Beach, California
Small weddings at the Long Beach Museum of Art are bound to be beautiful and memorable thanks to prime views of Catalina Island and the Queen Mary. The Historic Anderson House, in particular, is ideal for a small wedding as it accommodates up to 60 guests. Bonus points: The venue's oceanfront restaurant Claire's at the Museum offers special food and beverage packages for micro events of up to 50 guests.
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La Casa Del Camino in Laguna Beach, California
Orange County is rife with beautiful wedding venues and one worth checking out for a small wedding is the charming La Casa Del Camino in Laguna Beach. A wedding with a view is the selling point of this boutique hotel and it doesn't disappoint. The rooftop is an especially dreamy spot with panoramic views where couples can exchange vows and invite 30-60 of their favorite people. What's more romantic than having the dazzling Pacific Ocean in the backdrop on your big day?
The Maxwell House in Pasadena, California
For couples who want to get married at a small wedding venue in Los Angeles, the city of Pasadena is a great option. The Maxwell House is a standout venue for small weddings thanks to its boutique wedding package which accommodates up to 40 guests. You can host both the ceremony and the reception here and it includes rental chairs, tables, furniture and a dance floor.
The Glass House in San Jose, California
Couples who are planning a small wedding with a luxe, contemporary vibe, consider The Glass House in San Jose. The venue offers various spaces for intimate gatherings of 75 or fewer guests. Particularly, check out the Phoenix Lounge, Decathlon Room and Olympia Room. In addition to the stunning ambiance, other selling points of this small San Jose wedding venue include amenities such as access to a powder room, outdoor patio, a full service customizable bar and more.
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Wine & Roses in Lodi, California
Northern California has a lot to offer couples who are planning a small wedding. Wine & Roses is one alluring option in the beautiful Lodi wine country. The lush, sprawling property features many photo-ready backdrops. We particularly love that the venue accommodates even micro weddings and elopements with 15 guests for couples who want to invite just their closest friends and family members.
Loma Vista Inn & Gardens in Big Sur, California
With its towering redwoods and majestic Pacific Ocean views, getting married in Big Sur is a dream come true, and it's not only reserved for couples planning a big wedding. Loma Vista Inn & Gardens offers micro-wedding packages accommodating up to 50 guests and access to the entire stunning property. With a small wedding here, your wedding photos are guaranteed to be unreal.
Fairview Napa in Napa, California
The lush, awe-inspiring views Napa offers are unmatched, so it's easy to see why many couples choose it for their wedding. For an intimate celebration of 50 guests, the Fairview Napa venue is ideal. It features beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces to host your wedding ceremony and reception and all inclusive and customizable wedding packages make it an easy yes.
The Mountain Mermaid in Topanga, California
Nestled on a Topanga Canyon hillside in the Santa Monica Mountains, The Mountain Mermaid is a dream of a wedding venue. Micro and small weddings of 50 guests or less is the speciality here, but there is nothing small about its wow factor. The historic Spanish Mediterranean villa and its lush gardens—complete with a butterfly habitat—are truly stunning. If you're looking for a bohemian Southern California small wedding venue, this is it.
La Lomita Ranch in San Luis Obispo, California
La Lomita Ranch, located in the Edna Valley wine region, is a charming bed and breakfast ranch. Serene yet elegant, the venue is a magical place with various beautiful spaces to host a small wedding. Overnight accommodations are also available—eight unique Spanish suites to be exact—to create a warm and cozy wedding experience.
InterContinental San Francisco in San Francisco, California
Dubbed as a "hotel with a heart," it's only fitting that couples say yes to getting married at the InterContinental San Francisco. The hotel offers all-inclusive small wedding packages that help make planning a breeze. Host your wedding ceremony in the Moscone Room or have an outdoor ceremony on the Pacific Terrace. Then celebrate with your closest friends and family members with a cocktail reception and dinner complete with tableside wine, coffee and tea service.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, California
If you're looking for a unique small California wedding venue, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo fits the bill. The Simba Room, Jungle Bungalow and Sea Lion Cove can accommodate intimate parties. Couples even have the option to add wildlife activities to their celebration such as giraffe feedings or a sea lion presentation. File this under a wild and fun way to say "I do!"
