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Pricing information

Price range: $14,350 - $18,850 Price range: $14,350 - $18,850
Couples usually spend $16,600 Couples usually spend $16,600
Reception
$1,000 starting price
Ceremony
$1,000 starting price
Bar service
$15 per person
Reception
$500 starting price
Ceremony
$500 starting price
Bar service
$15 per person
These prices are available for the months of May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. These prices are available for the months of Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov.

Attributes highlighted by couples

Unique aesthetic style
Quality catering
Guests comfort
Amenities

About

On WeddingWire since 2008

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.

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?

$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
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4.6 out of 5 rating
65 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.5 out of 5 rating
93% Recommended by couples
C
Crisy Sent on 08/15/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful evening wedding at Tom Hams

From the start of the process the staff at Tom Hams were a pleasure to work with. Laugan and Lisa were prompt with their responses to our questions and requests & helped make a wedding and reception that we planned in 3 months a success. You just can’t beat the location of Tom Ham’s. Having downtown and the bay as the back drop of our ceremony and reception made for the perfect night for us and our guests. Beth, along with the other staff made sure we were taken care of serving us our drinks, food, and cake for our reception. Our guests kept telling us in the couple weeks that have passed since our wedding how perfect the location was, how much they enjoyed the food, and how smoothly the evening went. We would highly recommend Tom Ham’s as a place to hold your wedding.
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!
T
Tamara Sent on 10/16/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing venue!

I am still on cloud 9 after having my wedding here. Planning a wedding in the midst of a pandemic was not fun by any means and it was difficult to have fun. But, Courtney was absolutely amazing. She truly turned our experience around. The day was absolutely flawless. That view is something I will dream about for the rest of my life. Every penny is extremely worth it here. The food was delicious and plentiful through the buffet. Beth and our bartenders had amazing hospitality. People treated my husband and I like king and queen when we were getting wine service during our seated dinner. They made sure we had all appetizers, cake and buffet. If i had to do it all over again, I would pick Tom Ham's again and again!! You won't regret it with that view and amazing balcony.
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Awards

65
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

Real Weddings

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

Professional Network & Endorsements

2 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 93% 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, 4.7 in professionalism, 4.7 in value, 4.6 in average response time and 4.5 in flexibility.

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