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Unique aesthetic style
Quality catering
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About this vendor

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Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is a historic wedding venue located in San Diego, California. Weddings here feature panoramic views of San Diego Bay and the city skyline. Nestled on Harbor Island just five minutes from San Diego International Airport, the venue is both picturesque and convenient for guests traveling to the wedding.

Facilities and Capacity

The venue’s ceremony site is situated on the waterfront with the San Diego skyline as the background. The calming blue tones of the ocean and the property’s vibrant lawn serve as wedding decor. Couples can stand under the arbor sculpted by artist Christopher Puzio to recite their vows. The ceremony space can accommodate up to 230 guests, who can retire to the adjacent reception areas easily after the ceremony. The California Room has large floor-to-ceiling windows and opens onto a private patio offering sweeping views of the bay. This function room can comfortably seat up to 230 guests. Intimate weddings of less than 80 attendees can be held in the Harbor View Room, which, like the California Room, features its own outdoor deck.

Services Offered

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse hosts a variety of wedding events apart from ceremonies and receptions, including engagement parties, wedding showers, and rehearsal dinners. Their master culinary team can aid couples in selecting the catering style and menu that is right for their event. The venue also covers setup and cleanup for the convenience of the newlyweds.

Cuisine

The venue specializes in fresh, creative seafood fare, though they offer an array of other dishes for guests with allergies or dietary restrictions. Catering styles available include cocktail service, hors d’oeuvres, buffets, and plated meals. Both function rooms feature a full bar, and couples can choose their bar service.

History

Tom Ham was a UCLA graduate and history-lover who moved to San Diego in 1955. He purchased a property on Harbor Island to build a restaurant and sought to incorporate the space’s existing beacon. Tom decided to add a fog bell and make the United States Coast Guard Beacon #9 a main element of the restaurant. Today, the restaurant is run by his daughter, Suzie, and her sons.

Pricing information

$14,350 starting price
$16,600 average price
Reception
$1,000 starting price
Ceremony
$1,000 starting price
Bar service
$15 per person
These prices are available for the months of May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Availability

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FAQ

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?

$1,000

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?

$1,000

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

$500

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$15

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Wine
Signature Drink

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Banquet Hall
Restaurant
Waterfront

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
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Outside Vendors

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Hors d'oeuvres
Plated
Server(s)
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer

What event items are available?

Aisle Runners
Altar/Arch
Chairs
Dance Floor
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
November

Still have questions?

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Wedding couple

Reviews of Tom Ham's Lighthouse

Weddingwire
4.6/5 66 reviews
Google
4.6/5 4054 reviews
Tanya
Tanya Sent on 10/22/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful wedding on the water at Tom Hams

We chose Tom Hams because we love San Diego, and have many memories there as a couple. We live 2 hours away in the IE and planned everything over email with Tom Hams. Their communication was exceptional, they always responded quickly. We went to the venue twice prior for food tasting and walk through. The food was delicious, all our guest complemented how good it was. Since this venue is primarily a restaurant the food preparation is superior. It was nice being on the water. I would like to thank their coordinator Laugan for all her help! We will cherish our wedding memories forever, thank you Tom Hams!
Katie
Katie Sent on 03/28/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect Venue

This was the perfect waterfront wedding venue for us, we love the food and beautiful views there. When the pandemic started we thought we were going to have to postpone. Tom Ham's Lighthouse had thought of everything and we only had to make a few logistical changes like a smaller guest list, outdoor reception, and no dancing. Our wedding actually turned out to be even better than I imagined. Perla was so organized, professional, and helpful throughout the whole process. We were able to have our reception outdoors and our guests absolutely loved the view and the food. The wedding ran perfectly and all of the staff was so kind and professional. I highly recommend Tom Ham's Lighthouse for the most beautiful wedding day!
Marissa
Marissa Sent on 09/08/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Best wedding venue

Planning a wedding during COVID is no easy feat but you CAN have the wedding of your dreams with vendors like Tom Ham's. Pre-Covid, TH was always my dream wedding venue. We snagged our date after touring the venue. You cannot beat the location and view. Wow, I am now so glad I chose TH. With all of the regulations put in place there was a time I was worried we would have to postpone or cancel entirely. TH stepped up to the plate and was as cautiously optimistic as I wise that we could pull off a safe and beautiful wedding! Perla is truly incredible! From the beginning, she was organized and detail oriented. We were able to truly have the wedding of our dreams because Perla and TH were able to work with us to create it. Due to COVID, we had a smaller guest list and the biggest change we made was having our reception on the ceremony site. TH did a beautiful job, guests were seated at their reception tables upon arrival. Then after the ceremony, they set up a king's table under the arch. We were able to decorate the outdoor space with papel picado and string lights. We also set up AMOR marquee letters. The wedding was absolutely stunning and I think it was because we were able to have it all on the ceremony site!

Perla was a wonderful coordinator! She made my dream wedding happen safely for us and our guests. Thank you!!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

66
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
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Real Weddings

Mayra & Michael
112 photos · 07/17/2021
Jackie & Alex
46 photos · 09/01/2017

Professional Network & Endorsements

Spotlight Studios Spotlight Studios Wedding Photographers

What a beautiful venue! All the photographers here at Spotlight Studios just can't help but be in love with the classic nautical feel! There is so much splendor, with the sweeping landscape and panoramic views of the ocean. We recommend this place for anyone planning their next big event!

Flower Hill Flowers & Events Flower Hill Flowers & Events Wedding Florists

I LOVE T.H.L - Great Venue for a very personal and intimate event. Love the View of San Diego and the food is always outstanding. The Staff is always on their toes and ready to jump in a help. Keep up the great work!

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Tom Ham's Lighthouse frequently asked questions

Tom Ham's Lighthouse includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Tom Ham's Lighthouse includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Tom Ham's Lighthouse includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Wine
  • Signature Drink
The space offered by Tom Ham's Lighthouse for wedding events is known for:
  • Banquet Hall
  • Restaurant
  • Waterfront
Tom Ham's Lighthouse offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Tom Ham's Lighthouse offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Tom Ham's Lighthouse offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Outside Vendors
Tom Ham's Lighthouse offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Aisle Runners
  • Altar/Arch
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Tables
Tom Ham's Lighthouse is recommended by 92% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.6 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.7 in quality of service, 4.6 in average response time, 4.6 in professionalism, 4.6 in value and 4.5 in flexibility.

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