Santa Cruz Mountain Estate
Central Coast of California
Service area
Holds ceremonies and receptions
David Payne
OWNER
Typically responds within 24h
The Ridge is an estate wedding venue located in Santa Cruz, CA
The Ridge is a picturesque venue located on a knoll with stunning views of the redwood trees and a glimpse of Monterey Bay. The warm days and cool evenings in the Santa Cruz Mountains create an ideal location for weddings of any size up to 250 people. The ceremony area features a terraced lawn with a beautiful arbor, while the reception area is a lush grassy meadow surrounded by redwoods, including a rustic barn and remnants of a stone house.
For the adventurous who don't want the party to end, The Ridge has got you covered with the perfect Day-after package. It includes a 100' water slide, picnic area, and barbecue, allowing you to bask in the sun with your loved ones while reminiscing about your wedding day. It's the perfect way to recover, relax, and relish in the moment.
If your looking for a venue for a micro-wedding, please contact us for special pricing.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Estate
Garden
Mountain
Trees
Any questions?
Meet the team
David Payne
Owner
With over 30 years experience in the event industry, I pride myself on exploring new and creative ideas to bring my client's vision to reality. Having raised four daughters, I understand the importance of the details that make your wedding day special.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.06 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The Ridge is described as a magical and breathtaking wedding venue surrounded by natural beauty that provides a fairytale-like setting. The owners, David and Liz, are commended for their help, flexibility, and dedication in making couples' dreams come true. Reviewers highlight the stunning views, accommodating staff, endless photo opportunities, and the venue's ability to host both elegant ceremonies and fun-filled events like pool parties with a water slide. Couples emphasize the venue's enchanting atmosphere, stress-free planning experience, and the overall perfection of their wedding day, making The Ridge highly recommended for those seeking a picturesque and personalized wedding experience.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Christina H
Highlighted review.
5.0
5/12/2026
April 2026- Planning a wedding where neither the bride or groom lived in the area (nor did either set of parents) presented a unique set of challenges. Couple that with the bride ...
and groom desiring very personal and somewhat complex details (for example: hanging 1001 handmade origami cranes from the trees). Dave, Liz, and Emily were absolutely phenomenal hosts who assisted us with fulfilling every single detail. The result was a gorgeous setting, a beautiful and intimate ceremony, and a lovely reception. Our 200+ guests were amazed at how well they were taken care of by both the hosts and staff. As the “Mother of the Bride”, I was thoroughly delighted with how the entire weekend went…from rehearsal and set up, to tear down. But most of all, my heart was full seeing how happy my daughter and son-in-law were throughout their special day. I would give The Ridge “1001 stars” if I could.
Response from The Ridge on 05/12/2026
Thank you for the kind words, Christina.
One of the greatest joys we experience at The Ri...
dge is getting to meet and work with wonderful families like yours. From the very first phone call with Nathan to the final ride down the water slide the day after the wedding, Nathan and Carly were an absolute joy to be around. You all truly know how to throw a celebration!
Liz and I wish your entire family all the best as you begin this exciting new chapter together.
Warm regards,
David & Liz
Elizabeth S
5.0
12/05/2025
We truly cannot recommend The Ridge enough! We toured so many venues at the start of wedding planning and took months to find a place. All were very beautiful places, but felt very...
impersonal and transactional. When visiting The Ridge for the first time, we immediately knew this was the perfect place. David and Liz were so welcoming each time we visited the property. It is evident that they truly care deeply about the work they do. They were so helpful throughout the whole planning process, from finding excellent vendors to looking for a nearby nail salon. Their support and communication was extremely comforting throughout all the stresses of wedding planning. We have received so many compliments about how beautiful the venue was, but even more compliments about how wonderful David and Liz were.
Any questions?
Erica E
5.0
4/27/2025
This venue and the people who own it are amazing. The venue is so gorgeous that my husband and I barely needed any decor or flowers for our wedding. David and Liz are incredibly he...
lpful and kind people who helped us with so much of the setup, finding vendors, etc. I found this place with only 2 months to go until my wedding date and the owners were able to help me pull it off with absolutely no issues and directed me toward some fantastic vendors. I HIGHLY recommend this venue. I have no complaints whatsoever and received endless compliments about the venue, its natural beauty, and extreme helpfulness of the owners. It is well worth the money. I was not stressed at all on my wedding day thanks to choosing this amazing venue. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!
Response from The Ridge on 04/28/2025
CONGRATULATIONS, Erica and William! Thank you so much for your kind words! We're truly hon...
ored to have been part of such a special moment in your life. It brings us so much joy to hear that you had a wonderful experience at The Ridge. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness as you begin your new chapter of life.
Reina W
5.0
9/09/2024
Our wedding at The Ridge was absolutely magical. Liz and David were a joy to work with from beginning to end. They were so flexible and accommodating throughout the whole process, ...
ensuring that our weekend came to life just as we envisioned! Liz and David very helpful when we had to do site visits and when there were special vendor needs or questions regarding the property. On the day of the wedding, all our guests could talk about was how STUNNING The Ridge property is! The ceremony and reception felt so whimsical, and our photos turned out better than we ever imagined. Our wedding day was perfect, and a big part of that is due to Liz and David and this amazing venue. The day after the wedding, the festivities continued with a pool party at The Ridge. We had our close friends and family come over for fun bbq, while kids and adults enjoyed the 100ft water slide. I would recommend The Ridge to anyone looking for a breathtaking venue in the Santa Cruz mountains and amazing service!
Kailey H
5.0
9/07/2024
Our wedding at The Ridge among the Redwoods overlooking Monterey Bay was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the breathtaking views and the ...
serene beauty of the towering trees. The venue's natural splendor provided a stunning backdrop that made our day feel like a fairytale. If you’re looking to save money on florals this venue is an excellent choice because there is so much natural beauty, florals could be very simple! We had no issues with noise complaints and were able to dance the night away on the amazing Vance floor in the middle of a redwood and oak grove. There are soooo many incredible locations for photos including a stunning redwood log cabin, a gorgeous golden hour forest, and a beautifully landscaped waterfall …just to name a few!
The owners and staff were incredibly accommodating, guiding us through every detail with ease and ensuring that everything went off without a hitch. Their dedication to making our day perfect was evident in every aspect.
As if that wasn’t enough, our day-after party with family and friends at The Ridge was incredible. We blasted down the 100’ water slide, opened gifts, basked in the sun, and reflected on a day we will never forget.
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that combines unparalleled natural beauty with exceptional service, The Ridge is an absolute gem. We couldn't have asked for a more enchanting setting or a more attentive team to help make our dreams come true.
Margaret B
5.0
9/05/2024
Our wedding at The Ridge was everything we could have hoped for and more. From start to finish, David and Liz made us feel like we were their top priority. Their friendliness and f...
lexibility made planning our wedding a joy, and they embraced our vision with enthusiasm. We had a few special requests, and they went above and beyond to make sure each one was perfectly executed.
The property itself was a photographer’s dream—there were endless stunning photo opportunities that captured every beautiful moment of our day. We couldn’t have asked for a more picturesque and accommodating venue.
If you’re looking for a place where your vision will be brought to life with care and creativity, The Ridge is the perfect choice. Thank you, David and Liz, for making our wedding day so unforgettable!
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The Ridge
David Payne
|
Owner
Typically responds within 24h
Wedding vendors in Santa Cruz
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