The white Victorian Point San Luis Lighthouse with its tower, framed by yellow wildflowers and cypress trees under a blue sky

Point San Luis Lighthouse wedding venue in Avila Beach

An 1890 lighthouse, a private bluff and 100 guests at most.

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Point San Luis Lighthouse at a glance

guests max
100
Year the lighthouse was lit
1890

By Tyann Daoutis Last updated

Aerial view of the lighthouse station on a green coastal bluff above the rocky shoreline, with hills behind

§ 01 — From the editors

A wedding most people can't drive to

Point San Luis is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Central Coast, and one of the hardest to reach: the road and trail cross private land and are closed to the public, so most visitors only see it on a docent tour. A wedding is one of the few ways to have the bluff to yourself.

It suits a small wedding. The site caps guests at 100, the ceremony is on the bluff above the water, beer and wine are fine but spirits and open flames are not, and every vendor needs the lighthouse’s approval. What you pay goes to the nonprofit keepers who restored the 1890 station.

Tyann Daoutis · Editor

§ 02 — The venue

About the venue

Point San Luis Lighthouse is an 1890 lighthouse on a secluded 30-acre bluff west of Avila Beach that hosts weddings of up to 100 guests, with ceremonies on the private bluff above the ocean, beer and wine only, and fees that support its nonprofit restoration.

Spaces & capacity

Point San Luis Lighthouse hosts weddings of up to 100 guests on its secluded 30-acre coastal property. Ceremonies take place on the private bluff above the ocean, and other spots on the grounds serve as the reception area.

Location

The lighthouse is at 1 Lighthouse Road, Avila Beach, on the coast west of Port San Luis. The road and trail are closed to the general public, and tour visitors arrive by van from the Wild Cherry Canyon lot on Avila Beach Drive.

Good to know

The 1890 lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and run by a nonprofit, so wedding fees support its preservation. Beer and wine are allowed but hard alcohol is not, there is no open flame or barbecue, and vendors come from the lighthouse’s preferred list or must be approved.

Ceremony

Where you can say "I do"

  • Garden

Reception

Where the party goes

  • Garden

§ 03 — The setting

The setting

Ceremony A wedding party at the lighthouse.
Ceremony The private bluff above the ocean.
Reception A reception table on the property.
Grounds The 1890 lighthouse.
Grounds The view from the lantern room.
Grounds The restored keepers' quarters.
Grounds The lighthouse's Fresnel lens, shown by a docent.

Photos: Point San Luis Lighthouse

§ 04 — Costs

What it costs, what it covers

You'll still book

  • Photographer

    Approved by the lighthouse.

    Bethany Joy Photography

  • Caterer

    From the preferred list or approved by the lighthouse; no open flame on site.

  • Florist

    From the preferred list or approved.

  • Officiant

    Your choice.

  • Guest lodging

    No rooms at the lighthouse; stay in Avila Beach.

    Avila Beach lodging

Vendor policy

Lighthouse staff provide a preferred vendor list and all outside vendors must be approved. Beer and wine only, no hard alcohol. No open flame, barbecuing, fire or smoking.

§ 05 — Questions

Questions couples ask

Point San Luis Lighthouse is at 1 Lighthouse Road, Avila Beach, CA 93424, on a secluded 30-acre coastal property west of Avila Beach and Port San Luis.

The lighthouse limits weddings to 100 guests maximum because of the site's location.

Ceremonies take place on the private bluff above the ocean, and different locations on the property can serve as the reception area.

Lighthouse staff provide a preferred vendor list, and all outside vendors must be approved.

Beer and wine are allowed. Hard alcohol is not allowed at the lighthouse.

No. Open flame, barbecuing, fire and smoking are not allowed at the lighthouse.

Yes. Point San Luis Lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was completed in 1890, operated until it was decommissioned in 1974, and has been restored by the nonprofit Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers.

The Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and proceeds from weddings, tours and events go into preserving and operating the lighthouse.

There are no rooms at the lighthouse. Hotels and vacation rentals in Avila Beach are a short drive away.

Public van tours run on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For a wedding site visit, use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date and estimated guest count, and our editors will forward your inquiry to the Point San Luis Lighthouse office within one business day.

Use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date and estimated guest count, and our editors will forward your inquiry to the Point San Luis Lighthouse office within one business day.

Check your date at Point San Luis Lighthouse

Map showing the location of Point San Luis Lighthouse

1 Lighthouse Road, Avila Beach, CA 93424
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§ 06 — Similar venues

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