Monterey Peninsula may be famous for its natural beauty and world class golfing, but it also happens to be home to many incredible wedding venues. This combination makes weddings in the Monterey area truly unique and special. One of the many wonderful things about planning a wedding in Monterey, Carmel and Pebble Beach is there is a perfect venue for everyone in the area. 

 

Below I have shared a few of my favorite venues in the area. What is the best part about these great destinations? These venues are less well known in and outside of the Monterey area, making them true hidden gems!  

 

Sanctuary Beach Resort

Located on the coast next to the National Marine Sanctuary, this venue is a great choice for couples wanting to be right on the beach!  Located in Marina, (15 minutes north of Monterey) Sanctuary is recently refurbished and offers a private, quiet and intimate atmosphere. And it is one of the few venues that actually boasts its own private beach with ocean views that go on and on. In fact, this resort is one of the few locations where you can get married in a nice, private setting directly on the beach. The expansive beach bluff can host a large ceremony and is even large enough for a ceremony and tented reception if desired. 

 

The resort does have two banquet rooms located off the popular restaurant, Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette. Both rooms are modern and well designed. If you would prefer to use the indoor banquet rooms, you ideally need to plan on keeping your guest count under 60. Larger on the beach soirees are also possible. If you have questions about how to make this sort of luxury beachfront wedding happen in Monterey contact me. You can also check out this late summer Boho Beach wedding in my portfolio. 

De Tierra 

This private luxury rental is like owning your own private hacienda and vineyard for a weekend. To put it simply, it is incredible. If you are looking for a getaway where you can completely relax and disconnect, look no further. 

This venue is full of details that will make your heart skip a beat, in addition to actual vineyards there are also olive groves, giant agave plants, and gorgeous flowers and trees. Another added bonus of this venue is that it allows you to bring in your full vendor team of choice, including catering. 

The venue allows weddings of up to 32 guests, (including onsite accommodations for all guests) and the property is beautiful and expansive enough for several different configuration options for a perfect wedding day! 

 

Stonepine Estate

 Deep in Carmel Valley sits the incredible Stonepine Estate, which feels like it was plucked straight out of Europe. This sophisticated property is set on 400 acres and boasts everything from an impressive Chateau, practice golf course, pool, ponds, chapels, equestrian center, game room and endless hiking to explore. 

If you’re looking for an upscale, luxury retreat style wedding which is a off the beaten path then Stonepine Estate may be the perfect venue for you. 

 

Tehama Golf Course

Tehama, which happens to be a development of actor legend Clint Eastwood, is a truly hidden gem as even many locals don’t know about it. It is nestled in the hills between Carmel Valley and Monterey in a gated community, making it a very private venue for a wedding. The venue itself is open for events such as weddings, and frankly the value this upscale venue delivers is huge! The ceremony site has views all the way to the ocean and the ballroom is surrounded by glass and beautiful stone work, which offers a truly unique experience. Another perk this venue offers is its central location, it is easily accessible from both Monterey and Carmel Valley, making it convenient for guests.

Check out this beautiful Summer Timeless Soiree at Tehama for Inspiration.

Poppy Hills Golf Course

This is the Northern California Golf Association’s golf course within the beautiful, world famous Pebble Beach. This venue is perfect for weddings, and best of all does not include the big Pebble Beach resort price tag. If you are looking for an outdoor tented wedding on a golf course with beautiful views and lots of impressive trees this could be the venue for you! Check out this gorgeous tented wedding to see how it really can provide a perfect canvas for your wedding dreams. 

The Vineyard House at Folktale Winery

Folktale winery has grown in popularity so quickly in the last few years and it’s no wonder- it is great and incredibly picturesque! While Folktale is a great winery, the hidden gem aspect is actually the vineyard house. This beautifully appointed house sits to the back of the property and is off limits to winery and restaurant guests. However, the house can be rented overnight and makes for a truly incredible intimate wedding right in the middle of the vineyard.

There is so much to love about this space, if you are looking for a more intimate wedding, this place is for you. Also, huge bonus: the culinary team at Folktale is awesome! Chef Todd Fisher is a local leader in the culinary scene and is very hands on for the events!  For inspiration check out this intimate wedding with a ceremony in the Rose Garden and the reception at the Folktale Winery Vineyard House. 

Eden Rift Vineyards

Eden Rift was the first winery in Monterey County, and as such it has a lot of history. The vineyard itself offers an amazing outdoor wedding atmosphere, making Eden Rift an incredible option for outdoor weddings big and small. The sprawling vineyard has a lot of beautiful scenery to offer and is great for couples wanting to get out of the urban areas and into the countryside. I planned an incredible micro wedding here, where guests dined amongst the  grapevines and let me tell you, it was magical! Another plus of this venue is that it allows you to bring in the vendor team of your choice including catering! Definitely a wedding experience guests will never forget. Plus their wine is great, which never hurts! 

I hope this list of hidden gem wedding venues has provided some ideas on some of the lesser known wedding venues.  There are so many incredible wedding venues in Monterey and Carmel, if you are looking for the perfect venue then get in touch! If you are ready now schedule a discovery call or start looking over our services! Also, if you need some insider’s information about planning a wedding in Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur or Pebble Beach check out our Ultimate Guide to Planning a wedding in Monterey and Carmel!