Eco-friendly California wedding venues

Aug 18
3 min read

Looking for an eco-friendly wedding venue in California? Check out these four venues!

Photo credit: Junipero Serra Museum

If you're looking to get married in California, amazing wedding venues seem to grow on trees. To help narrow down your options, here are four wonderful options that fly under-the-radar and prioritize sustainability and meaningful connection.

Northern California

Exploratorium

The Exploratorium in San Francisco is a great pick for couples looking for a venue that does the heavy lifting in terms of guest entertainment. If you're not familiar with the museum, the Exploratorium is a public learning laboratory that combines science, art, and human perception. Depending on your budget, guest count, and favorite exhibits, there are a few different spaces you can reserve for your big day. You can have your ceremony on-site as well if you wish. In terms of sustainability, the museum was one of the first net zero museums in the world. The building is LEED certified and and uses water from the San Francisco Bay to power geothermal exchange for heating and cooling. They also have a number of exhibits dedicated to climate education and encourage conversation about the environment.

Photo credit: Exploratorium

Oz Farm

Oz Farm is located in Point Area on the Mendocino Coast, roughly 130 miles from San Francisco. If you're looking for a place where all of your loved ones can gather in nature for a weekend, this is a perfect venue. Oz Farm is situated 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean and borders the redwood forest, so couples don't need to pick between forest and beach. You can have up to 60 guests stay on-site in the assorted cabins, yurts, and domes. Oz Farms is mission-oriented as an organic, regenerative farm and community. It's 'off-grid,' meaning it's powered only by wind and solar and holds many educational events to teach the public about sustainable food systems.

Photo credit: Josiah Alter Photography

Southern California

Smog Shoppe

If you're in the market for a unique wedding venue in Los Angeles, Smog Shoppe is right up your alley. In the 1980s, Smog Shoppe was a smog check center that was eventually decommissioned. It was later transformed into an indoor-outdoor wedding venue that's 100% solar powered, is filled with native plants, vertical gardens, vintage and upcycled furniture, and has an abundance of natural light. Depending on your guest count and reception style, there are a few different locations couples can utilize. Even though it's located in the heart of Culver City, Smog Shoppe is its own little oasis.

Photo credit: Smog Shoppe

Junipero Serra Museum

There is something special about a museum wedding, especially one in a mission-style museum in Presidio Park, overlooking the city of San Diego. The Junipero Serra Museum explores the history of San Diego, from the earliest inhabitants to European settlers in the 18th and 19th centuries. In addition to offering visitors a much needed history lesson, the museum is also deeply devoted to conservation efforts, and is a proud partner of the San Diego River Conservancy and State Coastal Conservancy. The museum's architecture is another draw. It offers a unique indoor gallery for ceremonies and a complementary outdoor terrace for stunning receptions. In a city known for its exceptional weather, it would be criminal not to take advantage of the beautiful outdoor space! The venue can hold up to 140 guests for a seated dinner or 200 guests for a cocktail-style reception, so no matter your party size, there's room for your wedding at the Junipero Serra Museum.