Welcome to San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County has ranked in the top numbers of the “Happiest Cities in the Country” on many occasions – and for good reason! Tucked right in the middle of San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Central Coast enjoys the best of both worlds with none of the big city downfalls. This California location possesses a quaint, yet exciting charm that can’t be found elsewhere. Here you will witness expansive coast lines, mountain peaks, rolling hills, and populated forests. It is home to many once in a lifetime activities and attractions that will appeal to people from all walks of life which makes it an ideal location for your California destination wedding. Whether you want your special day to feel calm and intimate or lavish and extravagant, the Central Coast wedding industry has hundreds of options to choose from. Creative professionals abound, armed with the passion and innovation to completely personalize the details of your day. If you are planning a destination wedding in the Golden State, we have put to use our many years of event planning experience to take you on a virtual tour through the ins and outs the planning process.

 So, let’s take it “Slo” and explore the things that make a Central Coast wedding such a magical and memorable experience. 

Central Coast Fun for Everyone

One of the main draws of the area is its abundance of natural and historical site seeing opportunities and modern day amenities. Often, you and your guests will be traveling long distances to be on the Central Coast for your wedding day and the days surrounding it, so you want to ensure everyone is well accommodated and having a great time.  Not to worry. There are endless options when it comes to lodging, dining, and fun activities catering to all lifestyles. Here we will explore a few regions in the area and what they have to offer.

First area of discussion is the one and only city of San Luis Obispo. Located in south county, this moderate sized collage town is the epicenter of activity in the area. It is home to California Polytechnic University, known to locals as Cal Poly. The vibes here are creative and fun. During the day, enjoy shopping, great food, and historic sites such as the San Luis Obispo Mission or the intriguing display in Bubble Gum Alley. If you’re here on a Thursday evening you can walk the streets of downtown SLO enjoying a vast farmers market with organic goodies and homemade treasures from all over the county, as well as an active city nightlife. Enjoy a stay at the luxurious Madonna Inn, which offers much more than just lodging, or one of the many other hotels, B&B’s, or vacation rentals available in the city.

Next, lets move on to explore some of the seaside experiences the Central Coast has to offer. Travel out of the city headed north on the historic Highway 1 through several beach towns. The first stop will be Morro Bay, where you can experience an elegant seafood dinner overlooking the ocean, or a more casual bite of fish and chips by the docks; rent kayaks and paddle boards and explore the bay on your own, or take a guided boat tour. Continue a bit further and you will reach the town of Cambria Beach where you will find all the best vintage items in the locally owned shops along Main street. On past Cambria, the highway winds along the coast to your left, and to your right you will soon be stunned to see a herd of zebra grazing on the expanding fields below Hearst Castle – take a guided tour that will leave you feeling nostalgic for times long past.

Last, but certainly not least lets venture inland where you can take it easy in beautiful wine country. Unlike San Luis Obispo, the city of Paso Robles has a relaxed small town feel to it, but there is never a shortage of things to do here. Experience one of many family friendly festivals such as the Art Festival, Lavender Festival, and Olive Festival that take place on several weekends throughout the year in the downtown city park. Become familiar with the work of community farmers, artists and other creative professionals who add a unique flair to the Paso culture.  Drive into the country and enjoy breathtaking views, and of course plenty of wine, at one of the hundreds of wineries that are sprinkled throughout the area. One such Winery that we have personally worked with on several occasions is Justin Winery, located remotely and enjoying views far and wide, you will be enchanted by the beauty all around.

Want to learn more about the many attractions and accommodations San Luis Obispo County has to offer? Visit the Visit San Luis Obispo County website to learn more about the happenings on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Wedding Venues

It is no secret that the Central Coast is home to some of the most amazing natural spectacles. From vast landscapes of rolling hills sprinkled with vineyards and rustic farms; to Coastal towns with seaside charm; cliffs overlooking the beautiful Pacific ocean; or lush orchards and tree covered canopies, it is no surprise that the venues here will take your breath away! Over the course of many years, Kramer Events has had the experience of getting an up close and personal look at some of the greatest venues around.

One of them being the historic Santa Margarita Ranch. Set within the hills just outside the small farming town of Santa Margarita, the 14,000 acre ranch which has been in operation since the 1700s has the perfect combination of country charm and elegance to make your vision for a rustic barn wedding come to life. 

To the NorthWest you will find another highly esteemed venue that our team has had the pleasure to work with on many occasions. Cambria Pines Lodge is nestled by the sea in the eclectic town of Cambria. With three breathtaking gardens, sophisticated interiors with modern accommodations, and cliffs overlooking the ocean just a few minutes away, Cambria Pines lodge is the perfect setting for your garden wedding by the sea.

If you heard the word garden and lit up a little, we have another remarkable venue for you to explore, See Canyon Fruit Ranch, located in the city of San Luis Obispo is an intimate venue with a vintage atmosphere where you feel as though you have entered some kind of fairytale in which the landscape is green and lush all year round. 

Still Curious? We’d like to invite you to explore these three venues as well as over a hundred more using Kramer Events free wedding resource, Central Coast Wedding Venues.

Central Coast Wedding Vendors

Now that we have seen some of the beautiful venues SLO county has to offer, let’s take a look at a few of the recommended vendors in the area. The Central Coast is inhabited by a small town artistic community with big time talent and charm.

One such vendor is the Trumpet Vine Catering service which specializes in California/American cuisine with a Spanish and Mediterranean flair. Let’s be real, food is one of the most important aspects of any event – it’s gotta be good! That’s why organic and locally sourced ingredients that appeal to a diverse range of dietary needs is a must, and that is just what you get with this awesome company.

Food, check! Now let’s talk desserts that will make your taste buds dance, and look incredible displayed at your wedding. Just Baked SLO is a company we have loved working with in the past. Their goodies are never mass produced and each dessert receives special attention to detail so their appearance and taste is nothing short of delightful; their cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies will pretty up any table! 

Speaking of tables, All About Events is a Central Coast Wedding Vendor specializing in handcrafted farm tables you can rent for your dining and display needs. They also offer a broad range of tableware, furniture, and other specialty items such as dancefloors, heaters/umbrellas, and tents. 

So, you now have a solid place to begin finding the right people to put the details of your wedding together, but who will put you together? Well, Kramer Events has some great suggestions! Faces a la Mode has over 30 years experience doing hair and makeup in SLO county. The high level of skill they possess in their craft along with their desire to meet the unique needs of all their clients will leave your wedding party, and especially the bride, looking absolutely flawless! 

To top it off, there are several Florists with extensive knowledge and a passion to accentuate your look with flowers. One such company is Sprigs Floral Design, a renowned Floral company which has been serving the central coast with enthusiasm for over 15 years. Sprigs offers a range of floral services such as bouquets, table arrangements, floral decor and more. 

For more information on these listed vendors and several more visit the Kramer Events community resource, Central Coast Wedding Vendors. 

Alright, let’s break it down! When it comes to planning the wedding of your dreams there is a lot to consider, but you can be confident in knowing that if you choose San Luis Obispo County as your wedding destination, you will have access to some of the most gorgeous venues in California, skillful vendors who have perfected their crafts and are ready to make your day as beautiful as you envision, and all the accommodations you could hope for to make your and your guests stay on the Central Coast remarkable. Here at Kramer Events,  we truly believe San Luis Obispo County has something for everyone. We have personally provided Coordination, DJ, Photography, Videography, Lighting, Photo Booth and more in conjunction with all the listed venues and vendors and we hold each in the highest regard. After all, we are just trying to raise the publics expectations of event professionals and create an awesome place to work!