Skip to main content
Weddings

About

Step into a piece of history at Rancho La Patera & Stow House, a charming wedding venue in Goleta, California. This once-in-a-lifetime destination provides a beautiful, unique, and affordable garden setting for all types of events.

Facilities and Capacity

Couples who are searching for a setting that is both steeped in romance and history will love the Rancho La Patera & Stow House. Soon-to-be-weds can start their magical celebration in the get-ready rooms, before journeying outside to be married under the redwood tree the Stow family received in 1872. Another stand-out option would be to say their "I dos" on the steps of the Gothic Revival mansion that sits beside the orchard. Couples can also take advantage of the gardens for some awe-inspiring pictures.

Services Offered

The onsite team at Rancho La Patera & Stow House does their utmost to ensure that every celebration that takes place on the property is as magical and special as possible. The team will be available to assist with cleanup services, parking services, and more. There is also wheelchair access throughout the venue, for maximum convenience. Additionally, pets are more than welcome to make a momentous occasion even better.

History

Established in 1871, this land was once owned by William Whitney Stow, who is an important figure in California history. He was the brain behind the creation of the Golden Gate Park in San Fransisco. After the purchase of the 1,100 acres of land, the orchards were laid out, which included walnut trees, almond trees, and 3,000 lemon trees. The Ranch stayed in the hands of the Stow family until 1960 when part of the land was sold. Today, the Goleta Valley Historical Society is responsible for the land and upholding its importance.

illustration popular

Venues you may like

See other venues that are popular with couples right now

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$500

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Clean Up
Parking

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Farm/Ranch
Garden
Historic Building
Park

What kind of settings are available?

Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Get Ready Rooms
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

Reviews of Rancho La Patera & Stow House

Kaytlen
Kaytlen Sent on 03/21/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Property & Karen is Amazing

We found Rancho La Patera & Stow House by chance on an instagram post. After reaching out to secure a date, I had a wonderful experience with Karen. She was on top of everything and went above and beyond to make our wedding day so special. There are unlimited places for a ceremony and our pictures came out absolutely stunning. There is even a room for the bride to wait in, with AC!, and we squeezed in the bridesmaids before the ceremony! I am so glad we decided to hold our ceremony here and look forward to visiting again in the future.
A
Austin Sent on 03/18/2023
5 out of 5 rating

No regrets in choosing the Stow House

This was the first and only venue my wife and I visited when trying to decide where we wanted to get have our ceremony and cocktail hour (we were at a different location for the reception). We were both stunned at how beautiful and well kept it is! I don't mean to overstate how much we enjoyed our wedding at this venue by giving five stars to all the categories in the review, but we would not have changed a thing. Karen Poulter, the event coordinator, was very responsive and helpful, working with us to answer all of our vendor and set-up questions for the day.
Savannah
Savannah Sent on 03/06/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Very Flexible and Helpful

We did our ceremony at the Stow house in 2022 and it was first off beautiful with all the different trees and beautiful house for pictures, but Karen the manager was beyond professional, prompt, and flexible. We took a while to actually decide on timing and day but she was more than willing to try to fit us in as best she could and offer us whatever resources that were available from the property. She was also very kind throughout the process and the after math. I would highly recommend having your wedding at the the Stow house!
Valerie
Valerie Sent on 09/15/2018
5 out of 5 rating
This was the perfect venue for our intimate, rustic family wedding. The setting is so serene and the grounds are gorgeous. Loved it!
P
Private U. Sent on 10/18/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Stow House was great as the venue we chose for our wedding ceremony. I wanted

an outdoor venue and this was the perfect choice for us. Dacia helped us throughout the

long preparation, for the wedding, and patiently guided us in working out all the details

for the Big Day. Tiffany, who helped us at the rehearsal and on the Day Of the ceremony,

gave us such good suggestions on how to improve certain aspects, and provided the

assistance needed to carry out the suggestions. She was with us the entire day from early

in the morning until dusk. We were so grateful that the Bridal Room was air conditioned

as the day turned out to be quite warm. We were also able to chill the bottled water in the

kitchen, so it stayed colder when we put it on ice hours before the ceremony began. We

highly recommend this site as a wedding venue. You will not be disappointed.
H
Hanna Sent on 11/16/2010
5 out of 5 rating
Stow House is a true gem for a wedding venue. I had the perfect fairy tale wedding, and it would not have been possible without the gorgeous setting Stow House offers. It is so classic and natural. The best part is that you can be very creative with the space--with both small and large weddings. The cost of the venue is by far the best value in Santa Barbara County without a doubt. I searched multiple venue sites, and all were at least double the cost of Stow House (and not nearly as beautiful). Dacia, the event coordinator, is an absolute joy to work with--very friendly and attentive. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about my entire experience with Stow House.
Kristen
Kristen Sent on 10/30/2018
4.8 out of 5 rating

Highly Recommend the Stow House!

If you are looking for a wonderful outdoor venue in Santa Barbara then I highly recommend the Stow House! We had a 240 person wedding and it was perfect. You get access to three large lawn spaces, and you can bring in your own food, drinks, music, games, and seating. We had BBQ and taco stations, two bars, a live band, many lawn games, and a variety of seating options. The grounds are beautiful and there are nearby paths that make for wonderful photos. Tiffany was excellent to work with and we are so happy we chose the Stow House!
C
Carrington Sent on 02/21/2012
4.6 out of 5 rating
I worked with Dacia and she was great. She was able to get me a discounted price on the venue. Everything was super nice, and the grass was trimmed and everything was just perfect.

Our wedding turned out amazing! and this location made it rustic and chic
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

8

Professional Network & Endorsements

2 Endorsements
Weddings By Diana& Invitations, Etc. Weddings By Diana& Invitations, Etc. Wedding Planners

I have had several wonderful weddings at the Stow House. It is beautiful yet has slightly rustic feel with lots of fabulous trees and an extended grass area. Dacia and her staff are wonderful and easy to work with.

Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography Wedding Photographers

My favorite thing about photographing a wedding at the Stow house are all the different areas for photography. From historic architecture to well manicured green areas and golden fields, it's got the range of backdrops for dramatic and romantic wedding photos. Being great for photography puts it on my list as one of SB favorite venues.

Map

Rancho La Patera & Stow House frequently asked questions

Rancho La Patera & Stow House includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Clean Up
  • Parking
The space offered by Rancho La Patera & Stow House for wedding events is known for:
  • Farm/Ranch
  • Garden
  • Historic Building
  • Park
Rancho La Patera & Stow House offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Rancho La Patera & Stow House offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Rancho La Patera & Stow House offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wifi
Rancho La Patera & Stow House is recommended by 99% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in quality of service, 5 in value, 4.9 in average response time, 4.9 in flexibility and 4.9 in professionalism.
Next Historic Weddings: The Historic Santa Maria Inn

Other vendors in Santa Barbara for your wedding

Wedding Venues