Santa Barbara meeting spaces serve up stunning ocean views for all seasons—winter, included. From museums, restaurants and wine tasting rooms to resorts, historic estates and clubhouses, venues with ocean views are available in a wide range of styles, layouts and price points. That means there’s no reason not to treat your guests to inspiring coastal settings when planning a meeting or event in The American Riviera®. Cozy inside ambiance gets paired with iconic Pacific vistas at these spectacular venues with windows to the sea.
ON THE WATER
Conway Family Wines and Deep Sea Tasting Room on Santa Barbara’s iconic Stearns Wharf is just about the closest you can get to being on the water without boarding a boat. The tasting room has two rooms available for smaller private events. Each space offers a patio with Pacific views from every angle—the Harbor View Room accommodates up to 35 guests and the Coastal View Room accommodates 65 people. Whether you book one or both rooms, the winery provides staffing, local cuisine, wine and live music based on your preferences.
Also on Stearns Wharf, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center has equally breathtaking views. The airy, light-filled entrance hall features two-story glass walls and life-sized gray whale models, making for a striking reception space. The interactive educational facility can be used for groups of anywhere from 10 to 200 people during evening hours, after the museum is closed to the public. The indoor-only rental option includes the entrance hall, Marine Mammal Mezzanine and unstaffed exhibits. Alternatively, rent the entire facility to include the adjacent outdoor pier area.
Over on East Beach, the historic Cabrillo Pavilion is a newly renovated 1920s landmark that’s very popular for wedding receptions, corporate parties and conferences.The upper level events space includes two terraces overlooking the beach. The City-owned venue can accommodate 215 guests and offers a warming kitchen for catering needs.
GUARANTEED TO WOW
Embrace the elegance of the exclusive Montecito Club, a venue that feels straight out of the new Netflix drama “The Politician,” which is set in the tony neighborhoods of Santa Barbara. In the newly renovated The Great Room, panoramic ocean views compete for attention with the 12 glittering Bacarrat crystal chandeliers. The adjoining naturally lit ballroom evokes classic California with its wood floors and original beamed ceiling. Outside, the 20,000 square foot Great Lawn provides yet another canvas for a wedding or event to remember.
Managed by the Bellosguardo Foundation, the Bellosguardo Estate is an exclusive venue perched atop bluffs overlooking the ocean. The historic 23-acre estate, built in 1937 by the widow of copper king Senator William Andrews Clark, only accepts a handful of events annually. Suited to ultra-high-end groups, guests make a grand entrance upon arrival, pulling into the circular drive. Stately reception rooms include a music conservatory appointed with art and fine woodwork from the Gilded Age. Fountains and frescos surround a sunken garden courtyard. And an expansive oceanfront lawn overlooks the Pacific.
TABLE SERVICE
Located within Santa Barbara Inn, Convivo Restaurant & Bar faces East Beach and takes full advantage of its ocean views from the indoor dining room, the large patio (60 max), fireplace patio (20 max) and private Montecito dining room (90 max). California-inflected Italian cuisine is also on the menu here and the restaurant is particularly beloved for its wood-fired dishes.
Perched above the Santa Barbara Harbor with views of yachts and sailboats, the crowd-pleasing Endless Summer Bar-Café features two covered lanais as well as reservable indoor space. The casual, surf-themed ambiance pays tribute to the late Endless Summer filmmaker Bruce Brown, who was a local and frequent patron. Each lanai can accommodate up to 60 guests. If more space is needed, a full buy out of the restaurant and bar creates capacity for 150 people. Cuisine is seafood-centric with a beachy cocktail program to match.
RESORT-STYLE
Situated along beachfront Cabrillo Boulevard, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort offers the oceanfront Reagan Room with an 180-degree view of the Pacific. Plentiful windows and an attached terrace provide the views while the Spanish Mission-era inspired décor enhances the ambiance with its wood beamed ceilings and inviting fireplace. The 3,600 square foot space can be set up in a variety of ways, be it theater style (380 max) or banquet (230 max).
PARK IT
Chase Palm Park is home to two lovely waterfront venues along Cabrillo Boulevard. Casa Las Palmas is ideal for intimate gatherings of 75 or less. The Spanish-style casita with indoor and outdoor space features a large raised patio overlooking the park’s grand meadow. The interior is a flexible, open single-room space outfitted with a restroom and small kitchenette. The vaulted ceilings and Santa Barbara architectural signatures have made it equally popular for wedding receptions, business meetings and cocktail parties.
The City’s newest seaside venue, the Carousel House was built on the site of a former carousel in Chase Palm Park. The circular interior space has a greenhouse-meets-industrial feel and an open layout. Outside, it includes the Plaza Lawn with a planted fountain, which is a lovely setting for a couple to exchange vows. The venue has capacity for up to 180 seated or 240 cocktail-style.