13 Unique San Diego Wedding Venues You Need to See

If tried-and-true wedding venues like hotels and country clubs aren’t your thing, there are lots of unique San Diego wedding venues to choose from. You’ll be amazed at the variety of San Diego wedding venues that aren’t the norm, from industrial spaces to castles, museums and much, much more. You’ll find that these spaces are ideal for San Diego weddings of a variety of styles, from vintage to rustic, modern to eclectic—you’re sure to find a venue to suit your personality!

We scoured the area to find some of the most unique San Diego wedding venues for your big day.

Brick

If a standard wedding ballroom just isn’t your thing, this unique industrial space with brick walls (obvi) and ceiling beams is the ultimate in cool and unique San Diego wedding venues. The space can host events from 50 to 400(!) guests, allows one event on site per day (you get the space for a full 24 hours), allows you to BYOB, and has no curfew or noise ordinance so you can party as late (or early!) as your dancing feet will allow. And because it’s a blank slate-style venue, you can decorate in a variety of ways, from whimsical to modern.

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Bahia Resort Hotel

Hotel wedding venues aren’t typically thought of as unique, but this San Diego wedding venue is one of the most breathtaking spaces we’ve seen. There are two outdoor ceremony sites—a beach and a garden gazebo, and numerous indoor ballrooms for receptions. However, the real draw here are the Victorian-era sternwheeler boats where you can host a reception your guests will never forget. The William D. Evans sternwheeler can accommodate 125 guests for a reception and has an incredible stained glass ceiling, plus amazing views of the city from the deck.

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Horton Grand Hotel

A New Orleans style wedding venue in San Diego? Yes, it exists at the Horton Grand Hotel. One of the most unique San Diego wedding venues we’ve seen, this hotel offers several creative wedding locations for your big day, from a New Orleans-style courtyard to a theatre. This hotel offers historic character in spades, and can host weddings of up to 250 guests. Your guests will also love the convenience of staying in one of the hotel’s 130 well-appointed rooms.

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Bali Hai Restaurant

If you’re looking for a venue with a true tropical feel, the Bali Hai Restaurant is one of the most popular and unique San Diego wedding venues for a destination-style wedding. You’ll feel like you stepped onto a Caribbean island when you arrive at this venue, which is located right on the bay. Ceremonies are typically held overlooking the water, and there are two truly unique spaces for receptions. The South Pacific Room is circular and features panoramic views of the San Diego Bay and the skyline. The Hawaiian Village is an outdoor pavilion for that truly beachy feel.

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Tom Ham’s Lighthouse

This venue on San Diego Bay offers one of the most breathtaking ceremony sites we’ve seen—an incredible art piece by Christopher Puzio serves as the modern altar, which frames the San Diego Skyline beautifully. For receptions, the California Room is the largest space and can accommodate up to 230 guests. This unique wedding venue in San Diego wins raves from couples about the accommodating staff and food, as well as the views!

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Casa Guadalajara

This award-winning restaurant and San Diego wedding venue is just the spot for a bright and colorful wedding with delicious Mexican fare. We love the casual feel and outdoor space, plus the strolling mariachis create a lively and fun atmosphere! This is also a great space for pre-wedding events, from showers to rehearsal dinners and more.

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You & Yours Distilling Co.

This new “urban distillery” is an ideal small wedding venue in San Diego, with seating for up to 70 guests, and offers a lounge-like feel if you’re hoping for a more relaxed and laid-back wedding celebration. Another plus: this venue is conveniently located downtown, right near the ballpark and other landmark places. This is definitely the place to serve creative signature cocktails!

Learn more about You & Yours Distilling Co.»

Lot 8

If you’ve always wanted to host a backyard wedding but don’t actually have a backyard, this modern open-air venue offers a similar feel. With a convenient location in San Diego’s Hotel Circle, this industrial style space is totally hip. This backyard wedding venue in San Diego can host events of up to 300 guests, and has a “blank slate” feel, allowing you to decorate in the style of your choice.

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Mt. Woodson Castle

Always dreamed of a fairytale wedding? This castle venue in Ramona offers a charming setting right out of a storybook. The 1920s venue is a sought-after space in the San Diego area, winning the WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Award four years in a row. Ceremonies and receptions can be hosted indoors or out, and the venue can accommodate up to 400 guests. We also adore the many beautiful settings for portraits—your photographer will be thrilled!

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Sacred Mountain Julian

When you think about San Diego wedding venues, you might not immediately picture a rustic site on a mountaintop. Well, it actually exists at Sacred Mountain Julian. Couples looking to marry surrounding by nature will adore the views and incredible landscape here. The Sacred Mountain Private Ranch offers a stunning meadow where ceremonies are held, and open-air or indoor spaces for receptions. We love the intimate and private feel of this venue, which can accommodate up to 150 guests.

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California Center for the Arts

This Escondido venue is ideal for art lovers. You’ll be wowed by the courtyard ceremony spaces, but our favorite part of this venue is the ability to host your event in one of the center’s theaters. Yes, you can actually get married or host your reception on stage! This venue also offers several ballrooms for classic weddings, as well as the ability to host an event in the museum.

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Museum of Photographic Arts

If a clean and modern aesthetic is right up your alley, check out this unique San Diego wedding venue and museum, located in Balboa Park. The David C. Copley Atrium has a minimalist feel that’s truly unique, with dramatic high ceilings and porcelain travertine flooring—it resembles a photo studio. And—bonus!—when you rent the atrium, you and your guests get private access to the museum’s exhibits.

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Luce Loft

The ultimate in industrial-urban chic, Luce Loft is completely on-trend. Located within the 1928 Carnation Dairy Factory, this space offers both history and modernity at once. We love the contemporary photo backdrops this venue allows, along the blank slate feel. This is one of the more intimate venues in the area, with a capacity of 150 guests. The venue wins raves from couples about the 24-hour access, the on-site coordinators, and ability to customize the space based on your style.

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