The Best Small Inns to Elope in a Post-COVID World
Given our current state of affairs, betrothed couples might think they have to postpone their dream weddings, but with a little creativity (and a lot less money), a memorable start to a lifetime of wedded bliss is still possible. The answer? A bed and breakfast or small boutique hotel. With few rooms and expansive outdoor spaces—often in charming, secluded locations—boutique inns have long been the preferred choice for elopements and small weddings that bring on the romance without the unnecessary crowds, fuss, or expense. From the mountains to the sea, these California inns are poised to combine inspiring destinations, beautiful surroundings, and safe social distancing into the perfect elopement getaway.
Central Coast and Valley
The Inn at Opolo
The Inn at Opolo in Paso Robles offers the ultimate in seclusion among oak tree-lined roads, grape vineyards, and walnut groves. With just three luxurious rooms and acres to explore, it’s the ideal destination to exchange vows atop a picturesque hilltop, enjoy a picnic with a view, or toast to a lifetime together under the stars.
La Lomita Ranch
San Luis Obispo’s La Lomita Ranch offers seven adjoined Spanish-inspired rooms and an ultra-private Hacienda perfect for honeymooning couples. Four alluring event and gathering spaces encircle the property, with features like panoramic views, an oak canopy, and romantic alcoves.
Gold Country and the High Sierras
Flower Farm Inn
The Flower Farm Inn near Sacramento is the ideal spot to tie the knot. The lovingly restored 1905 farmhouse’s four rooms and three cottages are filled with antiques and local artwork. After a rustic yet elegant ceremony in a vintage red barn, couples can wander the farm’s many orchards, large grassy spaces, and lush gardens.
Dunbar House Inn
The Dunbar House Inn is a historic Italianate-style estate in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Known for its lush, well-manicured grounds, the sprawling property offers a choice of four outdoor venues. Six charming suites, white glove service, and a relentless pursuit of excellence are hallmarks of this extraordinary wedding destination.
Eden Vale Inn
Eden Vale Inn in Placerville is a superb setting for a small outdoor wedding. An oak tree-shaded wedding pavilion sits among mature gardens, water features, and a lovely pond. Pricing starts at $500 for venue use only for up to eight guests or $1,200 for an intimate ceremony for two including lodging in one of seven rooms.
McCaffrey House Bed & Breakfast
The McCaffrey House Bed & Breakfast near Yosemite specializes in elopements and small weddings, with packages ranging from $795 to $3,595. An elevated deck is surrounded by majestic cedars and pines, and each of eight charming guest rooms looks out onto a peaceful forest.
Northern California
Highlands Ranch Resort
Highlands Ranch Resort is an inspiring full-service resort known for its rustic chic-to-modern architecture and secluded foothill location on 175 acres at the base of majestic Mount Lassen. Seven newly built cottages overlook a bucolic mountain meadow and pine-studded hills, while an expansive deck wraps around the lodge and features views in every direction.
Churchill Manor
Napa’s Churchill Manor is a meticulously restored 10,000 square-foot 1889 mansion. Ten beautifully appointed guest rooms, each named after a Napa Valley wine growing region, feature hand-painted doors and stately antiques. A sweeping veranda surrounds the three-story mansion and overlooks an acre of mature trees and manicured grounds. Customizable, all-inclusive elopement packages range from $1,650 to $4,700.
Inn on Randolph
The Inn on Randolph in Napa sits on almost an acre of beautifully landscaped gardens with cozy terraces and meandering stone paths. The 19th-Century estate features 10 rooms with soothing neutral color palettes, luxurious finishes, and 21st-century amenities. Elopement packages start at $750.
The Gables Wine Country Inn
In Santa Rosa, The Gables Wine Country Inn offers a simple, elegant marriage celebration. Packages start at $999 (tax included) for venue use and extras that include bouquet and boutonniere, wedding cake, and champagne toast; or couples might want to opt for the $2,499 Ultimate Micro Wedding Package that adds a two-night stay in The Cottage, a welcome bottle of Sonoma County wine, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
San Francisco Bay Area
Mill Rose Inn
Mill Rose Inn is a Half Moon Bay property once voted the “Most Romantic Inn in Northern California.” The inn, with its luxuriant gardens and opulent décor, exudes classic European elegance and has long specialized in English country garden weddings. Six distinctively decorated rooms and suites feature European antiques, hand-painted fireplaces, and garden views.
Nick’s Cove
Nick’s Cove is nestled in one of the serene, sheltered coves of Tomales Bay near Point Reyes National Seashore, the perfect setting for a romantic wedding. Couples might choose to exchange their vows on the rustic boating pier, on a pristine beach, or from the back of a chartered boat. Twelve romantic waterfront cottages offer exquisite views of the Bay.
The Pelican Inn
The Pelican Inn offers a bit of olde England in Muir Beach, complete with glassed-in conservatory, abundant flowers, and a covered garden patio perfect for intimate weddings. Couples might choose to wed on the inn’s great outdoor lawn or at the nearby Muir Beach overlook. Seven snug bedrooms are graced with English antiques, heavily draped canopy beds, and oriental rugs.
Southern California
Lavender Inn
Ojai’s Lavender Inn boasts colorful gardens under majestic oaks , a small pond with a waterfall, and a scenic mountain backdrop. Its eight well-appointed rooms include the 1,000-square-foot Provence Cottage, with French doors that open to a private backyard and romantic fireplace. An onsite wedding coordinator eagerly assists each couple in planning the elopement wedding of their dreams.
Simpson House Inn
The Simpson House Inn is a private Victorian estate tucked away in a tranquil Santa Barbara neighborhood. Upscale furnishings and an acre of English gardens surrounded by tall hedges make for an intimate event that feels like it’s on the couple’s own private estate. Fifteen opulent guest rooms—including four English-style cottages tucked into the corners of the garden—offer the ultimate in luxury and seclusion.
Click here for a complete listing of CABBI member inns and boutique hotels offering wedding venues and services.