My Favorite Wedding & Event Venues in the San Francisco Bay Area
When it comes to weddings and events, the venue and its distinct personality set the tone for everything. It’s a truly vibe-defining decision for couples and planners, shaping the foundation from which the rest of the creative vendor team refines and elevates the vision.
Why Venue Choice Matters for Florals
Instead of competing with the venue, the floral design should enhance it. Light, architecture, and natural surroundings all impact which colors, shapes, and arrangements will fit the space best. Your florist will evaluate these elements to craft a thoughtful plan, choosing the most impactful spots for floral moments.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to design weddings at some of the most beautiful, unique, and unforgettable spaces in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. These are my personal favorites: venues that not only inspire me as a floral designer but also help couples and clients create celebrations that feel truly one-of-a-kind. Plus, I’ve included my favorite spots for impactful floral moments at each venue.
1. Filoli Historic House & Garden
Vibe: Filoli’s gardens and historic estate are a dream for timeless, romantic, garden-inspired weddings.
Best spots to flower:
A playful lounge and cocktail setup at the Sunken Garden and Pool Pavilion
A ceremony focal point at the Garden House
A focal escort arrangement at the Dining Room Terrace
Long reception tables outside the historic house
Visit Filoli
2. Flood Mansion, San Francisco
Vibe: Flood Mansion’s historic architecture and ornate interiors make it ideal for moody, elegant, sophisticated weddings.
Best spots to flower:
An artful stairway installation
Lush floral moments atop the fireplace mantel
An iconic ceremony arch in the courtyard
Visit Flood Mansion
3. Solage Calistoga
Vibe: Solage Calistoga offers a modern, airy vibe with beautiful outdoor spaces in the heart of wine country.
Best spots to flower:
An intimate rehearsal dinner tablescape on the Aurora Lawn
A statement overhead hanging floral installation in the Solstice Event Space
A maximalist curated collection of floral tablescapes in the Nova Event Space
A focal ceremony altar arch installation on the Solstice Event Lawn
Visit Solage Calistoga
4. Stanly Ranch, Napa
Vibe: Stanly Ranch combines vineyard views with modern, design-forward sophistication rooted in nature.
Best spots to flower:
Meadow-like ceremony aisle markers in the Cutting Garden
Artful tablescapes and elevated foliage centerpieces in the Glasshouse Barn
Modern, minimalistic cocktail hour moments on the Glasshouse Terrace
Visit Stanly Ranch
5. The Charter Oak, Napa
Vibe: The Charter Oak is the perfect combination of rustic charm and modern elegance, in the heart of Napa Valley.
Best spots to flower:
Seasonal centerpiece arrangements for an intimate rehearsal dinner in the Sherry Building or St. George Room
A statement ceremony altar floral installation in the Courtyard
Focal large-scale bar arrangements in the main dining room
Visit The Charter Oak
6. Gallery 308, Fort Mason, San Francisco
Vibe: Gallery 308 has a modern-industrial, open-concept art gallery vibe with abundant natural light and iconic San Francisco waterfront views.
Best spots to flower:
A statement ceremony installation — arch or hanging overhead — with the floor-to-ceiling windows as a backdrop
Long reception tables with abundant candlelight and curated floral tablescapes
Epic focal bar arrangements with the gallery-style white wall backdrop
Visit Gallery 308
7. Cavallo Point, Sausalito
Vibe: Cavallo Point is an iconic Bay Area venue with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, modern amenities, and historic lodge charm.
Best spots to flower:
A winding meadow-like floral aisle installation on the Mission Blue Lawn
Overflowing floral installations in the fireplace lounges for cozy moments
An exterior floral archway welcoming guests to the Mission Blue Chapel
8. Carneros Resort & Spa, Napa
Vibe: Carneros Resort blends vineyard charm with modern sophistication and top-notch service.
Best spots to flower
A lush focal ceremony arch on the Vineyard Lawn
A romantic candlelit dinner reception in the Hilltop Dining Room
A moody, botanical-themed after party in the Napa Ballroom
Visit Carneros Resort & Spa
9. Conservatory at One Sansome, San Francisco
Vibe: A light-filled, airy glass conservatory venue in downtown San Francisco with a modern edge.
Best spots to flower:
A dramatic welcome installation at the entryway
An extra-large bar arrangement in the middle of a round bar
Elevated tree-like centerpieces of foliage atop long dinner tables
10. The Madrona Hotel, Healdsburg
Vibe: A beautifully-appointed, design-forward Healdsburg estate with lush gardens and wine country surroundings.
Best spots to flower:
An eclectic, color-blocked floral tablescape for an intimate rehearsal dinner in the muraled drawing room
A lush, garden-inspired ceremony backdrop in the orange grove
A playful, colorful dinner tablescape al fresco beneath the old oak tree
Visit The Madrona Hotel
11. The Sea Ranch Lodge, Sonoma Coast
Vibe: Dramatic coastal views and natural landscapes blend with modernist and organic California architecture.
Best spots to flower:
A textural grassy and floral ceremony aisle leading to their iconic “portal”
A nature-inspired rehearsal dinner tablescape in the Lodge dining room
A cliffside dinner featuring one long tablescape abundant with textural floral arrangements
Visit The Sea Ranch Lodge
12. Nobu, Palo Alto
Vibe: Modern Japanese minimalism blends with Northern California influence — luxurious and grounded.
Best spots to flower:
Ikebana-inspired floral arrangements in the Nobu dining room adjacent to their Japanese Zen garden
Striking cocktail and bar arrangements in the Lobby Bar
Visit Nobu, Palo Alto
13. Beaulieu Garden, Rutherford
Vibe: A private, family-owned estate with romantic, garden-filled spaces amidst rolling vineyards.
Best spots to flower:
A focal ceremony arch or chuppah installation in the sunken rose garden
Lush, overflowing floral tablescapes beneath the arbor
Bold, colorful lounge and cocktail arrangements around the pool
Visit Beaulieu Garden
14. Private Estates
Saving the best for last!
Private family home and estate weddings are the ultimate blank canvas, allowing planners and couples fully customizable design. I’ve worked at several over the years, and what I love most is being able to craft a one-of-a-kind floral vision that fits the couple and the space perfectly. Working with a full-service planner and florist allows you to truly maximize the space for an unforgettable celebration.
Final Thoughts
San Francisco and Northern California are full of venues that inspire creativity, elegance, and bold design. There’s something for everyone. So choose the venue that resonates with your personal style and vision, and the rest will come to life from there!
Planning a Design-Forward Wedding or Event?
If you’re dreaming of floral artistry that’s anything but ordinary, let’s create something unforgettable together. Our high-touch design experience ensures your vision is elevated and executed flawlessly.