A round floral ceremony arch at the end of a cobblestone aisle lined with white chairs, with the ocean behind

Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa wedding venue in Pismo Beach

A tent on the Shell Beach bluff for 200, and four patios facing the Pacific.

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Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa at a glance

seated, Pacific View Tent
200
Ocean-view event spaces
7

By Tyann Daoutis Last updated

Aerial view of Dolphin Bay Resort and its bluff-top lawn and tent above the rocky Shell Beach coastline

§ 01 — From the editors

Seven spaces on the Shell Beach bluff

Dolphin Bay sits on the bluffs of Shell Beach, at the north end of Pismo Beach, and nearly every event space faces the water. Ceremonies happen on the North Lawn or the Cobblestone Patio, with the coastline running north toward Avila behind the arch.

The Pacific View Tent is the main reception space, for 50 to 200 guests with the dance floor and DJ setup already included. Smaller weddings have more choice than usual: the Lido Dining Room for 75, four patios for 40 to 80 and the Coastal Room for 30. Plan for two rules: a licensed coordinator is required for every ceremony, and everything ends by 10 pm.

Tyann Daoutis · Editor

§ 02 — The venue

About the venue

Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa is a bluff-top resort in Shell Beach, Pismo Beach, with ceremonies on the North Lawn or Cobblestone Patio and receptions in the Pacific View Tent for up to 200, the Lido Dining Room for 75, or one of four ocean-view patios. Catering is in-house.

Spaces & capacity

Dolphin Bay lists seven wedding settings. Ceremonies take place on the North Lawn or the Cobblestone Patio, both facing the ocean. The Pacific View Tent, on the bluff, hosts receptions for 50 to 200 guests. The indoor Lido Dining Room and Lounge holds up to 75 and the Coastal Room up to 30. Four ocean-view patios take smaller groups: the Cobblestone Patio (80), the Oceanside Patio (70), the Fireside Patio (50) and the Poolside Patio (40).

Location

The resort is at 2727 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, on the Shell Beach bluffs above the Pacific.

Good to know

All catering and bar service come from the resort’s Lido Restaurant and Lounge. A licensed wedding coordinator is required for every ceremony, and all events end by 10 pm. Valet parking is complimentary for guests, and the resort offers group room rates.

Ceremony

Where you can say "I do"

  • Garden
  • Courtyard

Reception

Where the party goes

  • Tented Pavilion
  • Courtyard
  • Private Dining Room

§ 03 — The setting

The setting

Ceremony The North Lawn ceremony site.
Ceremony The Cobblestone Patio aisle.
Ceremony A ceremony on the bluff.
Reception The Pacific View Tent.
Reception Inside the Pacific View Tent.
Reception Tent dance floor.
Reception The Lido Dining Room.
Cocktail hour The Oceanside Patio.
Reception Dinner on the Cobblestone Patio.
Reception The Coastal Room.
Grounds The bluff path at dusk.
Grounds The lawn after dark.

Photos: Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa

§ 04 — The weekend

The whole weekend, one address

The resort's events team also hosts rehearsal dinners, welcome parties and send-off brunches, and offers group rates for guests.

  1. The day before

    Welcome or rehearsal dinner

    On one of the ocean-view patios or in the Lido Dining Room.

  2. Wedding day

    Ceremony and reception

    Vows on the North Lawn or Cobblestone Patio, then dinner and dancing in the Pacific View Tent, ending by 10 pm.

  3. The morning after

    Send-off brunch

    A farewell brunch the resort's events team can host on site.

§ 05 — Costs

What it costs, what it covers

What the site fee covers

Pricing model: Custom Quote

  • Ceremony package: DJ, rustic or white folding chairs and an arch
  • Pacific View Tent: dance floor, tables, chairs and DJ setup
  • Set-up, breakdown and cleaning of the event space
  • Resort tables, chairs, napkins, china, flatware and stemware
  • Complimentary two-night stay (listed wedding amenity)
  • Complimentary valet parking for guests

You'll still book

  • Wedding coordinator

    Required. A licensed coordinator for the ceremony.

  • Photographer

    Your choice, approved by the resort.

    Bethany Joy Photography

  • Florist

    Your choice, approved by the resort.

  • Officiant

    Your choice.

  • Guest lodging

    Group rates at the resort, or nearby in Pismo Beach.

    Pismo Beach lodging

Vendor policy

All food and beverages come from the resort. Outside vendors must be approved and carry liability insurance. A licensed wedding coordinator is required for all ceremonies.

§ 06 — Questions

Questions couples ask

Dolphin Bay is at 2727 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, on the bluffs of Shell Beach overlooking the Pacific.

The Pacific View Tent is the largest space, for 50 to 200 guests. Indoors, the Lido Dining Room and Lounge holds up to 75 and the Coastal Room up to 30. The patios take 40 to 80.

On the North Lawn or the Cobblestone Patio, both overlooking the ocean. The ceremony package includes a DJ, your choice of rustic or white folding chairs, and an arch.

In the Pacific View Tent on the bluff for 50 to 200 guests, with a dance floor, tables, chairs and DJ setup included; in the Lido Dining Room and Lounge for up to 75; on the Cobblestone Patio for 80, the Oceanside Patio for 70, the Fireside Patio for 50 or the Poolside Patio for 40; or in the Coastal Room for up to 30.

No. All food and beverages, alcoholic or not, are arranged through the resort and catered by its Lido Restaurant and Lounge. Buffets need at least 20 guests and carry a $150 setup fee.

Yes. The resort requires a licensed wedding coordinator for every ceremony, and an event coordinator for catered events of more than 30 guests or with a food and beverage minimum of $10,000.

All events, including tent weddings and cocktail hours, must end by 10 pm. Amplified sound at outdoor venues is allowed between 10 am and 10 pm.

Yes. The resort offers contracted group rates for wedding guests, with minimum-night stays on some weekends and holidays, and lists a complimentary two-night stay among its wedding amenities.

Valet parking is complimentary for all guests, and self parking is also available.

Nothing can be attached to walls, floors, windows or ceilings with nails, tape or staples. Candles need a protective enclosure, and confetti, rice, paper and fake petals are not permitted. All decor must be approved in advance.

Yes, with approval. The resort keeps a recommended vendor guide, approves every contracted vendor and requires a certificate of liability insurance.

The final guest count is due four weeks before the event and becomes the billing guarantee. Final menu selections are due 30 days out, and entree choices with table cards four weeks out.

Yes. Use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date, estimated guest count and the space you prefer, and our editors will forward your inquiry to Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa's special events team within one business day.

Use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date, estimated guest count and the space you prefer, and our editors will forward your inquiry to Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa's special events team within one business day.

Check your date at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa

Map showing the location of Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa

2727 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
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§ 07 — Similar venues

Venues couples also consider

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