Santa Monica has an abundance of amazing outdoor event spaces that make the most of the gorgeous California weather, not to mention the breathtaking beach views and refreshing ocean breeze. From rooftop lounges to beachfront courtyards and an iconic amusement park, Santa Monica offers a variety of unique outdoor venues for your group.
Reopening in 2021, this oceanfront location comes with solid Old Hollywood pedigree — it was the site of actress Marion Davies’ Gold Coast estate. Today the five acres of the Annenberg Community Beach House have a garden and courtyard for events for between 100 and 280 people, or you can choose to have your guests mingle on the 10,000 sq. ft. deck surrounding Marion’s pool (one of the original estate structures that still remains).
The Santa Monica Pier with its ferris wheel towering above the Pacific Ocean is one of the city’s seminal spots — just think of all the photo ops.
The Pacific Park Seaside Pavilion covers 3,600 sq. ft., and guests can munch on classic theme park favorites and also get unlimited rides and midway games to add to the fun. If you are really looking to have blowout, the entire park can be rented for up to 2,000 people.
As the name may suggest, you can expect charming architecture and a sprawling 6,000 sq. ft. garden and patio at this historic location. Located in Heritage Square on Main Street, The Victorian is a classic setting for parties of up to 300 guests. Though the building is from a bygone era, the newly revamped space is anything but stuffy with a modern feel that draws from the ocean that is just a block away.
This luxe shopping center in the center of Santa Monica is famous for its incredible lineup of designer shops and department stores. But did you know that Santa Monica Place also has a sprawling rooftop dining and events space?
The outdoor patio overlooking the Third Street Promenade (there are also ocean views) measures 1,500 sq. ft. and is perfect for hosting an event for up to 100 people.
Talk about views. The Fairmont Miramar is set above Santa Monica on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. The luxury hotel is set on the grounds of an estate first established back in the late 1800s and has catered to Tinseltown elite since it was converted to a hotel back in the 1920s. Today there is more than 27,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space for hosting parties of 20 up to 700. The space can be arranged and decorated to fit your style, and it all starts with a drive into the hotel’s grand entrance.
There are two outdoor venues to choose at Santa Monica Proper Hotel, both with decor by iconic designer Kelly Wearstler. The 2,241-sq.-ft. Olea Terrace can host 200 people, while the 7,727-sq.-ft. Calabra Rooftop is the area’s largest rooftop deck with vignettes and cabanas plus a bar and fire pit that accommodates up to 500 people. No matter what you choose to serve from the market-driven menu options, guests will all enjoy the ocean breezes.
This luxury hotel right on the beach mixes Cape Cod style and Southern California vibes, and the Pacific Terrace is as close to the sand as you can get.
The terrace at Shutters on the Beach measures at 1,175 sq ft. and can accommodate up to 130 people, plus the views out over the ocean are incredible all day long, especially at sunset.
This hotel takes a modern approach to Southern California aesthetics and is just a few blocks from the beach and the Santa Monica Pier. Perfect for smaller events, Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica‘s 1,490-sq.-ft., tree-lined courtyard has an intimate, secluded feel and can be configured many different ways for up to 70 guests.
Plan your next party to take place around the ocean-view pool at this beachfront hotel. The outdoor space at Loews Hotel Santa Monica Beach includes 3,000 sq. ft. to play with for up to 200 people. Your guests can hang by the pool, take in the salty air, and sample Southern Californian cuisine. But what really adds to the ambiance is the 14 fire pits.
The view at Elephante may be of the Pacific, but this rooftop bar and open-air restaurant was inspired by the Mediterranean. Ocean breezes are the perfect accompaniment to the coastal Italian dishes paired with continental wine and cocktails (Aperol spritz, anyone?). The event space covers more than 6,845 sq. ft., where up to 200 guests can soak in the ocean vistas.
