If you are still in the process of finding a location for your destination wedding, consider the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club. This venue offers sweeping views of the polo fields and the beautiful Santa Barbara Mountains. The club itself is wonderfully set in a narrow strip of land between the mountains and the sea. It is historic, built in 1911, and is situated on 30-ocean-view acres in Carpinteria, a picturesque little beach town just south of Santa Barbara, about 85 miles north of Los Angeles. It is ideal for summer and winter weddings, since the climate is Mediterranean, it is never too hot or too cold; though for the ladies I would recommend a wrap for evening events, as it does cool down at night.
This charming club is ideal for large weddings or small. The clubhouse itself is perfect for your cocktail hour and smaller groups, however the manicured polo green can hold hundreds of people outdoors for the ceremony and in a tent for the reception. Don’t worry about your heels, the polo greens are extremely compact, so you won’t be sinking into the grass when you walk. The club also has a full service event staff. Ariana Rothstein-Fisch is the Clubhouse Manager, and she oversees all special events. She is the most organized event planner you can get, and believe me when I say she will work tirelessly to ensure that your wedding is everything you ever dreamed it could be. All events are catered by La Fond’s Pampered Palate. The food prepared by Dave Martens, the Executive Chef, is absolutely delectable…I know, I have tasted it myself at a wedding event last fall at the club and it was delicious.
The SBPC’s clubhouse also has a lovely lounge area for the bridal party to prepare.
As a destination wedding spot, even for those in California, the SBPC is perfect for your family and friends. It is a short drive from downtown historic Santa Barbara, one of the most beautiful towns in California. Here your guests can shop on State Street, dine in fine restaurants, visit the beach and Stearns Wharf for an afternoon of fun. There is also golf in nearby Goleta and wine tasting in Ojai. State beaches are nearby in the quaint town of Carpinteria and there are plenty of accomodations in the area.

A beautiful shot of a lovely bride and groom on the polo green with the mountains in the distance.
With the weather in California, you can’t go wrong. It will be a gorgeous day to remember!