Santa Margarita Ranch wedding venue in Santa Margarita

Two barns, a mission-era stone ruin and 14,000 acres of ranch.

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seated, Historic Santa Margarita Ranch Barn: 250
Acres of working ranch: 14,000

By Tyann Daoutis Last updated October 29, 2026

The tall wooden Historic Santa Margarita Ranch Barn with drapes tied back at its open doors under a blue sky

§ 01 — From the editors

Where California's ranch history is the backdrop

Few wedding venues can claim what the Historic Santa Margarita Ranch Barn can: inside it stand the stone walls of the Asistencia, the mission-era farmhouse and chapel the ranch calls the first stone-and-mortar building in California. The barn seats 250, the Estrada Garden takes the ceremony, and the package even includes a train ride across one of the state’s oldest working cattle ranches.

The second barn suits couples who want wine country. The Ancient Peaks Barn sits among the vines with a ceremony spot under heritage oaks, a heated covered patio and room for 200, and the 8 Mile House next door sleeps 20. Both packages include a 55-passenger shuttle, which matters out here.

Tyann Daoutis · Editor

§ 02 — The venue

About the venue

Santa Margarita Ranch + Vineyard in Santa Margarita has two wedding barns: the Historic Santa Margarita Ranch Barn, seating 250 around mission-era stone walls, and the Ancient Peaks Barn among the vines for 200, with shuttles, a ranch train ride and Ancient Peaks wines.

Spaces & capacity

Santa Margarita Ranch + Vineyard has two wedding venues on its 14,000-acre private estate. The Historic Santa Margarita Ranch Barn seats up to 250 under hand-carved eucalyptus beams, around the stone walls of the mission-era Asistencia, with the Estrada Garden for ceremonies and outdoor gas fire pits. The Ancient Peaks Barn at Margarita Vineyard holds up to 200, with 2,450 square feet indoors, a covered patio with heaters, a cobbled patio and the Oaks Veranda for ceremonies.

Location

The ranch is in Santa Margarita, with its address at 22720 El Camino Real, a few miles off Highway 101 and about 15 minutes north of San Luis Obispo.

Good to know

Both wedding packages include a 55-passenger shuttle for nine hours, an on-site host and a case of Ancient Peaks sparkling wine, and the Historic Ranch package adds a train ride across the ranch. Ancient Peaks wines are poured exclusively, catering is in-house or from the preferred list, and the 8 Mile House sleeps up to 20.

Ceremony

Where you can say "I do"

Garden
Vineyard
Ranch / Open Field
Barn

Reception

Where the party goes

Barn
Ranch / Open Field
Vineyard

§ 03 — The setting

The setting

White chairs lining a gravel aisle to a greenery arch beneath oaks, with vineyard and hills beyond — Ceremony The Oaks Veranda set for a vineyard ceremony.

Guests seated in white chairs under a large oak watching a ceremony — Ceremony Saying vows under the oaks.

A couple facing each other inside the historic barn, backlit by light streaming through the wooden slats — Ceremony Inside the Historic Santa Margarita Ranch Barn.

Guests seated on a lawn under tall trees during an outdoor ceremony by a white fence — Ceremony A garden ceremony on the lawn.

A couple dancing inside the wood-beamed Ancient Peaks Barn under globe lights as guests watch — Reception First dance in the Ancient Peaks Barn.

Guests at long tables with white flowers on the covered patio, with oaks and vineyard behind — Reception Dinner on the covered patio.

A couple kissing in front of reception tables and the old stone walls inside the historic barn — Reception The original stone walls inside the historic barn.

The Ancient Peaks Barn exterior with wine barrels and umbrellas out front — Grounds The Ancient Peaks Barn at Margarita Vineyard.

A bride and groom walking through vineyard rows beside a large oak — Grounds Margarita Vineyard.

A couple standing beneath a huge oak tree above the vineyard — Grounds The ranch's heritage oaks.

A bride and groom embracing beside a vintage yellow passenger train car — Grounds The ranch train, part of the Historic Ranch package.

The white 8 Mile House lit at dusk with a patio and wooded hills behind — Stay The 8 Mile House sleeps up to 20 with its two apartments.

Photos: Santa Margarita Ranch + Vineyard

§ 04 — Costs

What it costs, what it covers

What the site fee covers

Pricing model: Custom Quote

Historic Ranch Barn for up to 250 guests
55-passenger shuttle for nine hours
One-hour train ride through the ranch
A case of Ancient Peaks sparkling wine
Parking and security attendant
Use of all barn amenities
One-hour ceremony rehearsal
Venue concierge and on-site host
Private dressing area

You'll still book

Photographer

Your choice, or from the ranch's preferred list.
Bethany Joy Photography
Caterer

In-house catering or a licensed caterer from the preferred list.
Bartending service

Licensed and insured, from the preferred list.
Florist

Your choice, or from the preferred list.
Tables and chairs

Not included in the Margarita Vineyard package.
Guest lodging

The 8 Mile House sleeps 20; hotels in SLO, Atascadero and Paso Robles are 15 to 20 minutes away.
Paso Robles lodging

Vendor policy

Catering is in-house or from the ranch's preferred vendor list; caterers must be licensed and insured. Ancient Peaks wines are poured exclusively, and all alcohol is served by a licensed bartending service from the preferred list. No pets on the working ranch.

§ 05 — Questions

Questions couples ask

Santa Margarita Ranch + Vineyard is in Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo County, with its address at 22720 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita, CA 93453. It is about 15 minutes north of downtown San Luis Obispo, 10 minutes south of Atascadero and 20 minutes south of Paso Robles.

There are two: the Historic Santa Margarita Ranch Barn, built over the Asistencia, which the ranch describes as the first stone-and-mortar structure built in California, with the grassy Estrada Garden for ceremonies; and the Ancient Peaks Barn among the vines of Margarita Vineyard, with the Oaks Veranda for ceremonies and a cobbled patio.

The Historic Santa Margarita Ranch Barn seats up to 250 guests. The Ancient Peaks Barn holds up to 200 guests across its indoor and outdoor spaces, and there is a micro wedding and elopement package at the Ancient Peaks Barn for up to 50.

The Historic Santa Margarita Ranch Wedding includes the barn for up to 250 guests, a 55-passenger shuttle for nine hours, a one-hour train ride through the ranch, a case of Ancient Peaks sparkling wine, a parking and security attendant, use of all barn amenities, a one-hour ceremony rehearsal, a venue concierge and an on-site host on the day.

The Margarita Vineyard Wedding includes the Ancient Peaks Barn for up to 200 guests, the 8 Mile House Deluxe for up to 20 overnight guests, a 55-passenger shuttle for nine hours, a parking and security attendant, a case of Ancient Peaks sparkling wine, a one-hour rehearsal, a venue concierge and an on-site host. Tables and chairs are not included in this package.

Santa Margarita Ranch offers in-house catering, and couples can also choose from its approved preferred vendor list of Central Coast caterers, florists, photographers and coordinators. Preferred caterers must be fully licensed and insured.

Ancient Peaks wines are served exclusively at both venues, and beer and spirits are also permitted. All alcohol must be served by a licensed and insured bartending service from the preferred vendor list. Every package includes a complimentary one-year Ancient Peaks wine club membership.

Both venues have indoor and outdoor spaces. In heat or rain, outdoor ceremonies move inside the barn, which gives a fully covered reception space.

Yes. The 8 Mile House Deluxe, made up of the 8 Mile House, Buckaroo Flat and Stampede Loft, sleeps up to 20 people in nine bedrooms. Boutique hotels and vacation rentals in San Luis Obispo, Atascadero and Paso Robles are 15 to 20 minutes away.

Yes. Both venues have dedicated parking areas and access for guests with disabilities.

No. Santa Margarita Ranch is a working cattle ranch and asks guests to leave pets at home.

Add-ons include rehearsal dinners at the Ancient Peaks tasting room, Zip + Sip zipline and wine tasting, horseback trail rides with wine tasting, and an ultimate package with two-day use of both barns.

Yes, site tours are by appointment. Use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date, estimated guest count and which barn you prefer, and our editors will forward your inquiry to Santa Margarita Ranch's events team within one business day.

Use the inquiry form on this page. Share your date, estimated guest count and which barn you prefer, and our editors will forward your inquiry to Santa Margarita Ranch's events team within one business day.

22720 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
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