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Weddings

About

Santa Cruz County Parks has four charming wedding venues located in Santa Cruz County, California. Couples will have the option of unique historical structures, beautiful park settings, pristine landscaped grounds or a lavish mansion for their big day. They pride themselves on their flexible policies, affordable rates and diverse settings for both your ceremony and reception. Santa Cruz County Parks can't wait to make your wildest dreams come true.

Facilities and Capacity
They have five different facilities with differing capacities (to include children and hired helpers) and prices with one-of-a-kind settings, which include:

  • Aptos Village Park - a lush park that features a clubhouse, spacious patio, romantic gazebo, and a BBQ for 200 persons maximum April through October.
  • Highlands Park - boasts a grand mansion on beautifully manicured grounds. You can say your “I do’s” on their wedding lawn, and then dance the night away indoors. There’s also a garden room with a wet bar. The venue holds 100 people maximum indoors and outdoors during the months of April to mid-June, then up to 200 persons maximum through October.
  • Quail Hollow Ranch - perfect for intimate affairs. It can accommodate up to 100 persons maximum (April through October) at their rustic-style horse ranch house and spacious lawn. Guests will enjoy views of the orchards and wooded hillsides at this private venue.
  • Valencia Hall - a historic building that can accommodate up to 80 persons maximum year-round. This quaint indoor venue features a covered porch, a restored hall, nestled next door to an orchard, and gorgeous redwoods.
  • Bear Creek Recreation and Community Center - a newly acquired, former country club. This mountain retreat boasts a clubhouse, adjoining grove picnic area, and a 2,000-year-old redwood. Please contact Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District for reservations.

Services Offered
Santa Cruz County Parks lets each couple choose their own vendors for a truly individualized celebration. Each facility only holds one event per day, so you'll have complete privacy. The caterer of your choice is welcome to use their kitchen facilities for warm up and serve food service only, while tables and chairs are provided. Your guests will enjoy plenty of complimentary parking, and most venues are wheelchair accessible. You’ll be responsible for setup and cleanup, but they will provide cleaning supplies that you can use at your disposal. Restrooms are available at each location.

Tours
We invite you to tour our venues at our Open House Events and our Spring Showcase! Please visit santacruzcountyparks.eventbrite.com for details.

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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?

$800

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?

$800

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
Chairs
Parking
Tables

Describe your venue:

Banquet Hall
Farm/Ranch
Mansion
Park

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
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?

Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors

What event items are available?

Altar/Arch
Chairs
Tables

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September
October

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
November
December

Reviews of Santa Cruz County Parks

User5039497 Sent on 01/19/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Excellent value, beautiful space

We rented Highlands House in Ben Lomond for an indoor winter wedding and were completely happy with our decision. This is an excellent value—none of the ridiculous mark-ups that private venues charge when they find out your event is a wedding. Highlands House is beautiful and spacious, with a number of interior rooms that allow for flexibility in set-up (including a kitchen for food prep, a storage room for tables/chairs so you don't need to provide those, and two rooms upstairs for the wedding party to chill in). Everyone I worked with at the SC County Parks office and onsite at the venue was really kind and accommodating. If your event takes place during better weather than mine, the surrounding grounds are also lovely and add a ton of space. Highly recommend!
Marissa
Marissa Sent on 08/02/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Experience!

I fell in love with this venue! Everything about it was perfect! I love the private country setting/environment. Very clean and plenty of parking:) Also, Parks and Rec was great to work with, they helped me every step of the way. Very professional people:) Thank you Brenda!
L
Lisa Sent on 03/26/2019
5 out of 5 rating

SC parks: Harvey west

Great value, flexible venue... We love being able to bring in our own catering etc. thank you!
H
Heather Sent on 07/11/2018
5 out of 5 rating
We had a beautiful 50th wedding anniversary party for my parents at the Valencia Hall. The facility was clean, the staff was easy to communicate with, and the protocol for set up and clean up and all the other details we're easy to follow. A gorgeous space for any occasion! - Heather Houston
M
Mel Sent on 06/21/2018
5 out of 5 rating
We loved this venue, and so did our guests! Open house was incredibly helpful and we loved Patti, Sandra, and Pamela! Thank you for making our day such a success and pleasure!!
S
Sara Sent on 03/13/2018
5 out of 5 rating
We had our venue fall through 2 weeks before our wedding date and, by some miracle, Aptos Village Park was available on our wedding date! They were incredibly easy to work with and the venue was gorgeous. The Parks staff member present was also incredibly helpful. I would absolutely recommend Aptos Village Park (or any other Santa Cruz County Park) to anyone looking for a beautiful outdoor space with endless potential.
P
Paula Sent on 11/15/2017
5 out of 5 rating
It's a charming venue. We got married recently this month in November so we had the ceremony and reception indoors. I had my friends with muscle help pull down the chairs and tables and put them away. I hired a musician who set up inside and a taco bar to set up out on the patio (they have a tarp in case of rain). I rented the hall the day before the ceremony for a couple of hours so we could have it all set up and with very little to do on the day of the wedding.
R
Robin Sent on 08/18/2017
5 out of 5 rating
I had my daughters bridal shower at the hall. I did a High Tea for the ladies and Valencia hall fit the bill. They have kept the hall in beautiful condition with the hardwood floors and very clean. All the ladies complimented me on this hall and how did I find it. The staff was fantastic to deal with. Very thorough with explaining about the facility and answering all my questions. I also felt the price was very reasonable.
R
Rachael Sent on 06/02/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We just had our wedding there last weekend! It was such a beautiful and perfect spot for us :) Everyone loved it. And so affordable! Definitely a place that you DIY (your own food, drinks, decorations, etc.), which is what we were looking for. Amazing! There are some rules as it is a county park, just to be aware of- no rice throwing (we did bubbles), only beer and wine, 5 hour event time, no open flames, etc.). <3
L
Lindsay Sent on 05/03/2017
5 out of 5 rating
I think if you are looking for a space that is more casual and affordable, this is a great option! We did a day-time wedding here and it was fabulous. Having the option to do indoor/outdoor was great and I was surprised by how natural the flow felt going in and out. The SC folks are wonderful to work with and although there are some limitations with what you can do with the inside (I think it is a historic space so they are really careful to preserve and not damage anything ie - tape on walls, nails, scuffs) you can still do some cute things in there.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

46
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner

Map

Santa Cruz County Parks frequently asked questions

Santa Cruz County Parks includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • Parking
  • Tables
The space offered by Santa Cruz County Parks for wedding events is known for:
  • Banquet Hall
  • Farm/Ranch
  • Mansion
  • Park
Santa Cruz County Parks offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Santa Cruz County Parks offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Santa Cruz County Parks offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
Santa Cruz County Parks offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Altar/Arch
  • Chairs
  • Tables
Santa Cruz County Parks is recommended by 96% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in quality of service, 4.9 in average response time, 4.9 in professionalism, 4.9 in value and 4.4 in flexibility.
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