Best Half Moon Bay Wedding Venues
There are a lot of Half Moon Bay wedding venues along the coast and if you’re looking to get married in this little coastal paradise just south of San Francisco, you’re sure to find a spot here for what you want.
My name is Simone and I am both a Half Moon Bay local and a wedding photographer here (and around the Bay Area and beyond!). I grew up in Half Moon Bay, know all the best spots, and have also photographed many weddings here, which means I know both the city and the Half Moon Bay wedding venues quite well. I’ve put together a list of Half Moon Bay wedding venues for you to browse through as you start to think about where you want to have your wedding!
La Costanera
A gorgeous wedding venue on the ocean with an incredible menu (their Peruvian food and pisco sours are delicious and will mean an excellent, family style dinner for your entire wedding guests list.
They offer a few different spots for wedding ceremonies: With a smaller guest list you can have your wedding ceremony on the patio with their driftwood archway and the ocean as your backdrop (I even had a bride spot dolphins here during here ceremony one year!). With a larger guest list, you can get a permit to have a wedding ceremony on the beach, with the sand under your toes. Either way will furnish you with a really wonderful ocean backdrop for you to say your vows in front of.
Their reception is held in their main dining room with long, family style tables. Their staff is exceptional at what they do and dinner will be delicious, served on time, & in a really gorgeous room. The high ceilings and view of the ocean make this a memorable spot for dinner.
The reception is held downstairs in their bar area, with room for dancing in the “pit” and cake, drinks, and access to the outdoor patio and the fire pits outside. Lots of options for guests to have a fun evening!
Browse some weddings that I’ve photographed at this Half Moon Bay wedding venue: Katy & Tim (they saw dolphins!) | Mike & Teresa (they had butterflies on the beach!)
Venue Website: Contact La Costanera to learn more about having your wedding with them!
The Half Moon Bay Ritz Carlton
This oceanfront property looks like an Irish castle and there’s not a better place to get married on the cliffs with a high level of elegance built in to every part of your wedding day. Get ready on the property in one of their comfy hotel rooms, do portraits or a first look on the cliffs above the ocean, and then get married with a world class view of the water. They have two general ceremony spots: Either you can have a smaller wedding ceremony on the grass overlook next to the trail, or you can have a larger ceremony on the main Ritz Carlton patio. Both furnish the same spectacular view, if you’re hoping to get married overlooking the ocean.
For smaller weddings, the cocktail hour is held on a little patio to the side of the smaller banquet hall, still with a view of the ocean. The reception dinner is inside their banquet hall there and their evening dancing is held in the ballroom next door. It’s an elegant, cozy, and beautiful spot to get married and celebrate a wedding, all with a view of the ocean.
For larger weddings, after a ceremony on the main patio, the cocktail hour is usually held on the main patio as well, which makes for a seamless transition for guests and a continued appreciation of the ocean view. From there, guests are directed inside to the grand ballroom, which can be transformed into a magical space for a wedding reception. Fill it with flowers, guests, and pretty uplights and you’ll have an insane space to celebrate. There’s no view of the ocean once you’re inside, but there are plenty of other ways to make this the prettiest reception you’ve ever seen.
Sometimes couples opt for portraits down on the beach at some point, in which case the Ritz Carlton will usually furnish you with a golf cart and an attendant and we can head down to the beach for portraits.
Browse some weddings that I’ve photographed at this Half Moon Bay wedding venue: This Ritz Carlton Wedding was a big Indian-Irish wedding celebration!
Half Moon Bay Golf Links
The Golf Links is a great wedding venue for an alternative to the Ritz Carlton that still has the view and access to the ocean cliffs for portraits nearby. They usually hold their ceremonies on the green with a view of the ocean, and then their cocktail hour and dinner reception and dancing are all held in the clubhouse. There’s not much of a view of the ocean in the clubhouse, but it’s a great building and its; really nice to have everything in one place: It makes an excellent experience for your guests and a really nice flow for the wedding day.
For couples portraits they’ll give you a golf cart and an attendant and let you head out to some really pretty overlooks above the ocean. Some couples also opt to head down to the beach, which is a bit further away (but still accessible by golf cart).
Browse some weddings that I’ve photographed at this Half Moon Bay wedding venue: This Half Moon Bay Golf Links wedding had the most amazing flowers
La Nebbia Winery
This venue is the sweetest spot to get married, in a little garden off of their tasting room (located just off of 92 on your way in or out of Half Moon Bay). They don’t have a getting ready spot on location, but there are plenty of hotels nearby and it can actually be a great way to work in a beach or ocean location for portraits before your wedding ceremony (if you opt to see each other before the wedding).
Everything happens in the garden here, from the ceremony on the stones to the cocktail hour in the garden. Usually they “flip” the ceremony space into the reception space for dinner and dancing (and I’ve seen couples hire a dance floor set up for this space as well, since they don’t have a natural spot already).
This venue is really cute and intimate and honestly just a really lovely wedding venue for a smaller (but not tiny) wedding. It’s a great Half Moon Bay wedding venue and one of my favorites!
Browse some weddings that I’ve photographed at this Half Moon Bay wedding venue: Katherine & Mike had gorgeous portraits in front of the vines on the tasting room here!
Venue Website: Contact La Nebbia Winery to learn more about having your wedding with them!
The Hastings House
This lovely little garden space right off the ocean is the perfect spot for an intimate ceremony. There’s a great getting ready room right off of the garden and a little lawn area for a small ceremony. Best suited to intimate weddings, this little garden is the perfect haven to say your vows in. There is a partial view of the ocean from the garden and excellent access to the beach, ocean, and cliffs for portraits before or after your ceremony.
Receptions and cocktail hours will need to be held elsewhere, but Pasta Moon and Via Uno offer excellent options for dinner on the Coastside.
You’ll love this spot if you’re looking for a low-key and intimate Half Moon Bay wedding venue.
Browse some weddings that I’ve photographed at this Half Moon Bay wedding venue: This sweet Hastings House wedding in the garden had a handmade dress & an intimate dinner party
Venue Website: Contact The Hastings House to learn more about having your wedding with them!
Oceano Hotel & Spa
This venue is excellent if you’re looking for a larger Half Moon Bay wedding venue that will hold lots of guests and a big wedding party/reception. They have room son site where you can get ready, either a medium sized ballroom for the ceremony or a garden space with a pagoda outside, and (another) larger ballroom for the wedding reception. For cultural Indian weddings that want to have a processional into the ceremony for the groom’s side of the family & friends, there is a covered shopping area connected to the hotel that can accommodate this.
Couples opt for portraits in the Half Moon Bay harbor in the late afternoon or at sunset: There are beautiful spots to take photos with the boats on the docks as well and a small beach, both very close by. I’ve taken some lovely portraits here that I love!
Browse some weddings that I’ve photographed at this Half Moon Bay wedding venue: Bhumi and Mayur did some super sweet sunset portraits down by the boats in the evening.
Venue Website: Contact Oceano Hotel & Spa to learn more about having your wedding with them!
Long Branch Saloon & Farms
This quirky Half Moon Bay wedding venue is located just south of Half Moon Bay itself. Built to look like an old western town, complete with a saloon, this venue has a quirky western feel. It was (supposedly) built as a movie set and is guaranteed to be a memorable spot for a wedding.
There is space to get ready on site, which makes the morning easy. The ceremony spot is in front of the little chapel in the old west town and it’s very cute. Cocktail hour and the evening dinner reception are held in the middle of the property (everything can be set up beforehand, which is great), and dancing happens in a barn to the side that gets opened up when it’s time to party. This all in one Half Moon Bay wedding venue has all the quirk and country you need for a great wild west wedding.
Browse some weddings that I’ve photographed at this Half Moon Bay wedding venue: A gorgeous wedding with some really sweet people full of lots of class and a little country.
Venue Website: Contact Long Branch Saloon & Farms to learn more about having your wedding with them!
Mavericks House
This waterfront venue has incredible views of the Half Moon Bay Harbor and all of the waterfront here. Have your ceremony with a view and host your reception in their lovely open air venue. They have catering on site.
Venue Website: Browse and contact for more info about having your wedding with them.
Have you considered Woodside?
Woodside is a little tree filled town just up the coastal hills from Half Moon Bay. While it’s not technically the same city, many locals have allegiance to both places and Woodside can be a great place to get married if you’re looking for a few more Half Moon Bay wedding venue options. Read on to discover a couple of gems full of redwoods trees and stunning views!
Thomas Fogarty Winery
This beautiful vineyard wedding is located in the hills overlooking the San Francisco Bay. There is space to get ready on site (more for one partner, traditionally the bride if you have one in your partnership). The ceremony site is on a little lawn overlooking the entire Bay Area: You won’t be looking towards Half Moon Bay and the ocean, but the hills and the views are absolutely spectacular. In once had a couple here experience a rainbow over their ceremony from this view!
Cocktail hour can take place on the patio below, with a view of the vineyards, and the reception can be held either inside next to the dance floor or under the covered patio outside, depending on the weather and your preference. Both are excellent spots. The dancing usually happens inside in the evening, where it’s a little warmer and cozy and the DJ can set up music and lights for your wedding guests to dance to late into the night.
Couples usually opt for wedding portraits in the vines, under the trees near the ceremony, and anywhere else with flowers and good light around the property: There are lots of great options! :)
Browse some weddings that I’ve photographed at this (not quite) Half Moon Bay wedding venue: Brad and Semira had a multicultural wedding, but they didn’t plan for the rainbow to show up! | Nelly & Eric did some insanely pretty sunset photos in the vines!
Venue Website: Contact Thomas Fogerty Winery to learn more about having your wedding with them!
The Mountain Terrace
An excellent wedding venue under the redwoods, this spot is a great place for an indoor/outdoor wedding all in one place. There is a getting ready spot on site for one part of your couple (or you both if you’re getting ready together). The ceremony takes place on the lawn under the redwood trees with a partial view of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Area below. There are a few spectacular trees that more particularly frame the backdrop of the ceremony site. I’ve been asked this before, so I’ll say: I have not found traffic noise from Skyline and Highway 84 to be noticeable from the ceremony site.
Cocktail hour is usually held on the patio and inside on the dance floor, where there is a built in bar. Reception tables are generally set up on the patio outside, with views of the trees and the lawn. Dancing happens inside, either next to the bar or above on a rented dance floor surrounded by tables, where it’s nice and warm and the bar is easily accessible. There’s a great little overlook for the cake and toasts, if you opt to do them after dinner.
During the evening, there is usually the option for a fire pit under the stars and the oak trees: Many couples choose to invite their guests to make s’mores as a break from dancing.
Couples portraits are usually done in the redwoods and in the oak trees. For an easy, relaxed wedding with an outdoor vibe, this is the perfect venue.
Browse some weddings that I’ve photographed at this (not quite) Half Moon Bay wedding venue: Derek & Emily had burritos (& a super sweet laughter filled ceremony!!) at their wedding!
Venue Website: Contact The Mountain Terrace to learn more about having your wedding with them!
Other Half Moon Bay Wedding Venues
I’ve photographed weddings at most of the wedding venues on the coast, but there are always more! You can always have your own Half Moon Bay elopement (this day was magical and relaxed, with a ceremony in the redwoods). I’ve not worked at the Mill Rose Inn, but I’ve heard that is’s a nice wedding venue for a small, intimate garden wedding.
Half Moon Bay Wedding Photographer
I grew up in Half Moon Bay and have worked as a wedding photographer in California since 2009. I am in love with the ocean here, the red cliffs along the water, the boats in the harbor, even the fog that rolls in sometimes when the cities on the other side of the coastal mountains are enjoying the hottest weather. I think this is a magical, beautiful, and memorable place to celebrate your marriage and your life and I am lucky and happy to call this place home. I photograph weddings all over the Bay Area and beyond now (I work as a destination wedding and elopement photographer), but I am always happy to come home to photograph a couple saying their vows in Half Moon Bay.
Browse my wedding photography portfolio here and check out a few of my newest galleries on my blog here. If you have any questions about wedding photography or Half Moon Bay wedding venues at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me through my site or send me an email at [email protected]. I am happy to use my extensive knowledge of the area to help you plan your dream ocean wedding!
Browse Half Moon Bay Weddings:
