The Best california

Redwood Wedding Venues

The central California Coast is known for its beautiful beaches—but it’s the redwood weddings that truly set this area apart. Towering trees, soft filtered light, and a grounded, intimate feeling make the Santa Cruz Mountains one of the most magical places to get married.

As a Santa Cruz wedding photographer, I specialize in redwood and forest weddings and have photographed many of the venues below. If you’re dreaming of a ceremony surrounded by trees, these are some of the best redwood wedding venues around Santa Cruz County.

Kennolyn

One of the most popular camp-style wedding venues in Santa Cruz. Kennolyn offers lodging, forest ceremony spaces, and a full weekend experience—perfect for couples wanting a relaxed, communal celebration.

Sequoia Retreat Center

Black and white photo of a newlywed couple in an outdoor setting, touching foreheads and smiling, with the bride holding a bouquet and wearing a veil.

A peaceful retreat space in the redwoods with an earthy, grounded feel. Ideal for couples drawn to nature, mindfulness, and a slower-paced wedding weekend.

Henry cowell

Redwoods State park

A bride and groom stand close together in a forested area during their wedding, with tall trees and green foliage around them.

Perfect for couples who want a true redwood ceremony. Towering trees, filtered light, and a peaceful natural setting make this a favorite for intimate weddings and elopements.

The River House

A bride and groom standing on train tracks in a forest next to a yellow train car. The bride is in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet, and the groom is in a dark suit. Tall trees surround them.

final thoughts

Redwood wedding venues in Santa Cruz hold an energy and feeling that’s hard to replicate anywhere else—grounded, intimate, and deeply connected to nature.

If you’re planning a wedding in Santa Cruz and want photography that feels natural, grounded, and true to your experience, I’d love to connect

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Set along the San Lorenzo River, this venue blends river and forest elements and is a great option for couples wanting a nature-forward wedding that’s still close to downtown Santa Cruz.

A bride and groom standing on a wooden platform in a forest, holding hands, surrounded by tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors on a wooden platform in a forest surrounded by tall trees. The bride and groom are standing in the center holding hands, with the officiant reading from a book. The bride is in a white gown with a long train, and the groom is in a green suit. Bridesmaids in matching champagne dresses holding bouquets stand to the left, and groomsmen in gray suits with boutonnieres stand to the right.

Amphitheater of the Redwoods

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A bride and groom walking hand-in-hand along a forest trail surrounded by tall trees, with a red train car visible on the track behind them.

A truly sacred-feeling space nestled in the forest. This amphitheater offers a circular ceremony layout surrounded by towering redwoods—perfect for couples wanting a spiritual, grounded redwood wedding experience.

Waterfall lodge & Retreat

A bride and groom are smiling and gazing at each other, with the bride under a white veil, on their wedding day.

A truly unique venue featuring a waterfall, creek, and redwood surroundings. This space feels magical and intimate, especially for smaller guest counts.

Roaring Camp Railroads

A bride and groom in wedding attire standing face to face, holding hands, in a forest with tall trees and green foliage, sunlight filtering through the leaves.

A Santa Cruz classic. Roaring Camp is known for its redwood grove ceremonies, rustic buildings, and historic charm—perfect for forest weddings with personality.

saratoga springs 

A classic redwood venue located just outside Santa Cruz County, but often chosen by Santa Cruz couples. Saratoga Springs offers towering trees, creekside ceremony options, and a versatile reception space—ideal for larger redwood weddings.

A bride and groom sharing a kiss in front of a small wooden church with a large cross on the front, surrounded by trees.

chapel on the hill

A peaceful, intimate chapel tucked into the redwoods above Santa Cruz. Chapel on the Hill is perfect for smaller weddings or ceremonies that feel spiritual, quiet, and deeply connected to nature.

A bride and groom in wedding attire sharing an intimate moment in a lush green forest.

nestldown

One of the most iconic redwood wedding venues in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Nestldown blends manicured gardens, redwood forest paths, and elegant architecture, making it ideal for couples wanting a refined yet nature-forward wedding.