Elopement packages in Santa Barbara
Elopements
Just the two of you, or the few people who matter most.
The Ellwood at Goleta Beach would love to host your elopement or micro wedding on the Central Coast of California. Set directly on Goleta Beach with panoramic Pacific views, free on-site parking, and a kitchen rooted in seasonal, locally sourced California coastal cuisine, this is a setting where an intimate celebration feels genuinely complete. Reach out to our events team to start planning yours.
Why elope in Santa Barbara at The Ellwood
Santa Barbara draws couples from across the country who want to elope in California without the noise of a major city or the logistics of a permit-only public space. The Ellwood’s position directly on Goleta Beach, one minute from the Santa Barbara Airport and UCSB, gives you an oceanfront setting that is private, beautiful, and handled by a dedicated events team. You arrive and you get to be present. We take care of the rest.
The Central Coast light in the late afternoon is the kind photographers seek out on purpose. For a couple choosing to elope in Santa Barbara, the setting at Goleta Beach provides everything the moment needs and nothing it doesn’t.
The oceanfront setting for your intimate ceremony
The Ellwood’s outdoor spaces open onto the beach with Pacific Ocean views and the sound of the water present throughout. For an elopement or micro wedding, that backdrop removes any need for elaborate decoration. The place speaks clearly enough on its own.
Intimate ceremonies work differently than large-scale weddings. The scale here is proportional to the moment. You are not lost in a cavernous ballroom. You are at the water’s edge, together, with the Central Coast as your witness. The events team works with you to configure an outdoor or indoor-outdoor ceremony arrangement that fits the vision you have in mind.
Indoor and outdoor spaces for small gatherings
An elopement or micro wedding at The Ellwood can use our outdoor spaces, our indoor dining areas, or a combination of both. The indoor spaces carry ocean views and a warm, intimate atmosphere well suited to a small-table dinner after a ceremony. For a ceremony or a group that wants dedicated space and a tailored experience, submitting an event inquiry is the right starting point.
Details and configurations are tailored by our events team. We match the space to your headcount and the feeling you are after.
The dinner: California coastal cuisine for two or a small table
The meal after an elopement or micro wedding should honor the occasion. The Ellwood’s culinary team builds dinner menus from seasonal, locally sourced California coastal ingredients: seafood-forward, ingredient-driven, and shaped by what is freshest on the Central Coast right now. What your specific dinner looks like is a conversation with the events team, built around your preferences and the season. Ask our events team for menu details when you inquire.
Handcrafted signature cocktails, local Santa Barbara County wines, and a full bar program complete the evening. Reach out to the events team to discuss what an elopement dinner can look like for your specific gathering.
What an elopement or micro wedding at The Ellwood can look like
Every intimate celebration is shaped differently, and we tailor the experience to the couple. In general, the arc is simple: you arrive at Goleta Beach, the space is ready, your ceremony unfolds with the Pacific in the frame, and then you sit down to a dinner that marks the beginning of what comes next.
If you are bringing an officiant, a photographer, or a small group of witnesses, the events team coordinates with your vendors so that the logistics are handled and the experience stays focused on you. If vendor recommendations would be helpful, ask. We are glad to point you toward people who know this location.
Why The Ellwood for your Santa Barbara elopement or micro wedding
- Directly on Goleta Beach with panoramic Pacific Ocean views and natural California light
- Free on-site parking, one minute from the Santa Barbara Airport and UCSB
- Versatile indoor and outdoor spaces suited to intimate gatherings
- Seasonal, locally sourced California coastal cuisine and local Santa Barbara County wines
- Handcrafted signature cocktails and a full bar program
- Dedicated events team led by our Head of Events, handling every detail so you stay present
Frequently asked questions
What does an elopement or micro wedding at The Ellwood include?
Elopement and micro wedding experiences at The Ellwood are tailored rather than fixed. The details are built around your headcount, your date, and what you want the celebration to feel like. To understand what is possible for your specific vision, submit an event inquiry or contact our Head of Events directly at 805.335.2878.
Can we bring our own officiant and photographer?
Yes. You are welcome to bring your own officiant and photographer. The events team coordinates with your vendors in advance to make sure the space is ready, the timing works, and the day stays focused on you. If vendor recommendations would help, we are happy to share names of photographers and officiants who know this location well.
How many guests can attend a micro wedding at The Ellwood?
Micro wedding and elopement gatherings at The Ellwood are designed for small, intimate groups. Specific arrangements depend on your headcount and the spaces available on your date. Reach out to our events team with your approximate guest count and we will match you with the right configuration.
Is The Ellwood a good place to elope in Santa Barbara?
Yes. The Ellwood sits directly on Goleta Beach with private event spaces, Pacific Ocean views, and an exceptional seasonal coastal dinner to follow the ceremony. For couples who want to elope in Santa Barbara with beauty, privacy, and a meaningful culinary experience, it is one of the most complete and personal settings on the Central Coast.
What is the cuisine like for an elopement dinner at The Ellwood?
The Ellwood’s kitchen is built on California coastal cuisine: seasonal ingredients, fresh local seafood, and close collaborations between chefs, fishermen, and farmers. Your elopement dinner menu is tailored in conversation with our events team. Reach out with your inquiry and our Head of Events will walk you through the options.
How do I start planning an elopement or micro wedding at The Ellwood?
Submit an event inquiry or call 805.335.2878. Our Head of Events will follow up to learn about your vision, your date, and your needs. We recommend reaching out as early as possible, as intimate event dates fill quickly.
Start Planning
Start planning your elopement or micro wedding
The Pacific is a beautiful place to begin. Reach out to our Head of Events and the events team through our event inquiry form and we will start building the intimate celebration you have in mind. Call 805.335.2878.