California State Parks

Angeles District / Malibu area: 

For Weddings and Special Events in the Angeles District / Malibu area, please call the Special Events Coordinator at (818) 880-0398, or email Malibu.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov. The locations include the Adamson House, Leo Carrillo SP, Point Mugu SP, Malibu Creek SP and Tapia SP.

Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds

For weddings at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds, call toll-free at (888) 635-5310 or via their website at www.visitasilomar.com Click on the tab "Meet" then "Weddings."

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park 

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park in Chico is available for weddings all year. Some restrictions on available days and hours may apply.
A beautiful gazebo on the front lawn in front of the Mansion makes a perfect intimate setting for weddings. This area is shaded by the many historic trees found on the Mansion grounds.
The lawn at the rear of the Bidwell Mansion can accommodate a larger weddings. The back drop of Annie's rose and flower garden make this area perfect for a spring and summer wedding.
Receptions can be held on the grounds and in the Visitor Center Theater. Costs vary according length of wedding, facilities used, and staffing needs.  The facilities are also perfect for engagement parties or renewal ceremonies.
Please call the Bidwell Mansion at (530) 895-6144 for more information.

Big Sur-area

For Big Sur-area weddings at Andrew Molera State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, or Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, contact Wedding Special Event Coordinator at (831) 667-0507.

Twelve miles south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria State Beach offers one of the most beautiful, serene white sand beaches in California, as a backdrop to your wedding ceremony.  In addition to excellent recreation options (swimming, surf fishing, tidepool exploring and camping), Carpinteria State Beach also contains two potential reception venues, Linden Field or covered Ramada (picnic) areas. If you opt into an off-site reception, downtown Carpinteria is nearby with a variety of restaurants. Weddings are permitted between Labor Day and Memorial Day and are not permitted in the busy summer months.  Contact carpevents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 684-7487 to speak with the Special Event Coordinator about your special day.

Crystal Cove State Park

In Laguna Beach has bluff top wedding sites and allows beach weddings. For more information, call (949) 494-3539.

Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park

Offers a beautiful location at Lake Tahoe.  For more information, contact the Special Events Coordinator at (530) 525-5060.

El Capitán State Beach

Has a spacious yet private meadow next to the beach with vast and pristine ocean views, a wonderful venue for large weddings and celebrations. Contact our event coordinator at sbspecialevents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 968-1711.

Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park

Is selected by some for their small weddings. Cheatham Grove is the most popular wedding location but due to the parking lot size and popularity as a trailhead, limits on weddings are 7 people in total maximum during the summer (May to September) and 10 people in total maximum at other times of the year. Reservations for weddings are taken up to six (6) months in advance. A permit and fees are required. For more information contact (707) 572-9626 or email NCRD.Permits@parks.ca.gov

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Is host to many weddings each year. The park has a variety of beautiful settings that can provide the perfect place for that special day. Facilities, fees and the number of guests that can be accommodated vary based on the location in the park. The park is 53, 000 acres and we do not have specific sites dedicated to any particular event, you let us know where you would like to go and we provide restrictions based on that location. The most popular wedding location is Williams Grove. The following areas of the park do NOT allow special events or weddings: Founders Grove and Rockefeller Forest. Please be aware that any weddings requests near Drury Chaney Trail will require a park monitor. Other areas of the parks may also require a monitor who will be with your event for the duration. We recommend all applicants choose a primary location to request and several alternates. Reservations are taken up to 6 months in advance, reservation requests over 6 months from event date are not accepted. A permit and fees are required.  For more information contact (707) 572-9626 or email NCRD.Permits@parks.ca.gov.

La Purisima Mission State Historic Park

Is located in Santa Barbara County just outside of the Lompoc Valley.  It offers a unique setting surrounded by historic buildings and is tucked within a small canyon, La Cañada de los Berros.  Our location features a variety of venue options including The Main Church, The Padre’s Chapel, The Historic Mission Garden, and La Sala.  Please contact the special event coordinator for more information via email at Madison.Alexander@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 733 3713.

Mendocino Headland State Park

Offers vistas of the rugged northern coastline and majestic Pacific Ocean. There are a number of spectacular and picturesque sites for weddings and other special events along the panoramic Mendocino coastline, The Department's Mendocino Sector office can help find the ideal location for your special occasion. For more information call Magnolia Barrett (Phone: 707-937-3690) or email Mendocino.specialevents@parks.ca.gov.

Monterey-area

For Monterey-area weddings in Garrapata State Park , Monterey State Beach, and Carmel River State Beach, please call (831) 624-3407. For weddings and special events at Monterey State Historic Park, including Custom House Plaza and Memory Garden, please call (831) 649-7118 or email mshp@parks.ca.gov.

Sue-meg State Park

Along the northcoast includes beautiful vistas over looking the ocean including wedding rock and others. Fee and permit do apply please call (707) 572-9626 for more information.

Refugio State Beach

Is a picturesque paradise with breathtaking sunsets and a tropical island feel, perfect for small, intimate weddings and celebrations. Contact our event coordinator at sbspecialevents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 968-1711.

San Buenaventura State Beach

In Ventura features a sandy beach with a shady picnic area that can be used as a reception area. For more information, contact ventura@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 648-4059.

San Clemente State Beach

Has an historic cottage with a patio and catering kitchen.  For more information, call (949) 366-8589.

San Diego Area

For weddings in the San Diego area, please contact the San Diego Coast District Special Events page for more information.

San Luis Obispo Coast District

Looking to host in the San Luis Obispo Coast District? For weddings or other events from Montaña de Oro State Park, up highway 1 through Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria and including Hearst Castle, please reach out to coordinator Aja Milne at SLO.Specialevents@parks.ca.gov or (805) 927-2070.

Sonoma Coast State Beach

Offers vistas of the rugged northern coastline and majestic Pacific Ocean. There are a number of spectacular and picturesque sites for weddings and other special events along the panoramic Sonoma County coastline from Bodega Head, south of Bodega Bay, to the far reaches of Salt Point in the north, The Department's Russian River Sector office can help find the ideal location for your special occasion. For more information please email russianriver.specialevents@parks.ca.gov.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

In the heart of Coloma, features a beautifully historic church and 3 shady picnic areas perfect for an outdoor ceremony or reception.

For more information, contact Special Event Coordinator at (530) 622-3069.

Sonoma State Historic Park

Near downtown Sonoma offers 3 venues. The historic Mission Chapel of San Francisco Solano Mission in Sonoma can accommodate ceremonies only of up to 120 guests. Established in 1823, the Mission Chapel is an intimate setting with great acoustics for live music, Mexican colonial style chandeliers and thick adobe walls decorated with colorful murals that moderate summer or winter temperatures. The Barracks Courtyard is right off the Sonoma Plaza and is a rustic, outdoor venue available for up to 250 guests (seated). The Vallejo Home and Gardens, a half mile west of the Mission, provides a lovely garden location with an outdoor venue for ceremonies and receptions of up to 300 guests. For more information contact the Special Event Coordinator at 707-939-6188.

Jack London State Historic Park

Surrounded by hills and vineyards, Jack London State Historic Park offers a dramatic setting for up to 300 guests at its Winery Ruins. The site was originally part of the Kohler Frohling Winery; the buildings were later adapted by Jack London as a carriage barn and bunkhouse.

Benicia Capitol State Historic Park's

Travel along old brick pathways to a location cradled among Victorian era structures and become immersed in a small-town early California setting.  Tucked behind the historic Fischer-Hanlon home is the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park's intimate special event site. This venue in Solano County may accommodate 40 guests.

Empire Mine State Historical Park

The Gardens & Grounds at the Empire Mine State Historical Park are available by reservation for weddings from April 15th through October 15th annually on Friday, Saturday and Sundays only. Other dates and days are considered on an exception basis. Reservations can be made a year in advance for the next wedding season.

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park

Located on "L" Street between 26th - 28th Streets in mid-town Sacramento is a wedding and reception location for a couple looking for historic setting reflecting early California. The Fort is Sacramento's earliest European settlement and was the home to many emigrants and pioneers in the 1840’s. This rustic setting can accommodate 300 seated for outdoor weddings within the courtyard. For more information about options and costs or to book a wedding or reception contact the Facility Rental Coordinator at (916) 323-7626.

San Francisco Bay area State Beaches:

Looking for a beautifully natural backdrop for your wedding or special event filled with dynamic cliffs, pristine white sand beaches, picturesque lighthouses and tumbling waves near the San Francisco Bay area? Look to the San Mateo coast region! Parks such as Año Nuevo, Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Montara and Half Moon Bay State Parks are among our most popular wedding destinations for large and small weddings at a fraction of the cost of private venues.

San Mateo Coast Sector

For more information and a list of all the parks in the San Mateo Coast Sector that are available on your intended day, please contact: SMPermits@parks.ca.gov.