Shelter Island waterfront resort
Kona Kai Resort & Spa Wedding Photographer
A Spanish-influenced island resort on San Diego Bay where private-beach ceremonies, harbor-view ballrooms and 170 on-site guest rooms turn a wedding into a full destination weekend.
About Kona Kai Resort & Spa
Kona Kai sits at the tip of Shelter Island, wrapped by a working marina on one side and a bay-view park on the other, giving couples one of the only private beaches in San Diego to marry on. The Spanish-influenced buildings, palm-lined courtyards and glassy harbor water make the whole property feel like a coastal escape without leaving the city — the airport is barely ten minutes away.
As a full-service resort, Kona Kai handles the heavy lifting in house: catering, bar, tables, linens, a dedicated event team and a SpaTerre spa for getting ready, plus rooms for the wedding party and out-of-town guests. Ceremony spaces range from the open-air private beach to the palm-shaded Cabo Courtyard, and receptions land in the panoramic Point Loma Ballroom or on waterfront terraces.
Location · Shelter Island, San Diego Bay (Point Loma)
Style · Waterfront resort · private beach · ballroom
Capacity · Up to 500 seated indoors, 750 on the beach
Venue fee from · Ceremony from $1,600; F&B minimums apply
Best season · April–October (peak); mild year-round
Last updated July 2026 · Kona Kai official wedding pages, The Knot, WeddingWire, Here Comes the Guide
The complete Kona Kai planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Ceremony · 350
Reception · 500
Cocktail/standing · 500 (up to 750 on the private beach)
Rentable spaces
- Point Loma Ballroom — 9,168 sq ft, the resort's largest space with panoramic water views, crystal chandeliers and an adjoining terrace; holds up to 650
- Kona Kai Private Beach — 22,894 sq ft of open-air bayfront sand, one of San Diego's only private wedding beaches, for ceremonies and receptions up to 750
- Cabo Courtyard / Cabo Garden — Spanish-style fountain courtyard with grassy gardens, a favorite for garden ceremonies and cocktail hours
- Coronado Room — 1,500 sq ft with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Cabo Garden Courtyard, for intimate parties up to 80
- Waterfront terraces & courtyards — part of 56,000 sq ft of flexible event space for cocktails, dinners and dancing under the stars
Pricing
Ceremony fee · $1,600–$3,600 (varies by day, time and space)
Reception packages · $177–$250 per person
Intimate wedding package (up to 25 guests) · $3,500
Bar service · from $26 per person
Food & beverage minimum · $2,500–$30,000 (by day, season, space)
Service charge · 25%
The Knot estimated average · ~$35,300
Catering & bar
Catering and bar are handled in house, with customizable menus that run from butler-passed appetizers and plated multi-course dinners to buffets; the on-site Vessel Restaurant + Bar and wedding cakes via Frost Me Bakery round out the offering. Bar packages start around $26 per person and include bartenders, a champagne toast and house liquor and wine. A 25% service charge applies to food and beverage.
Rules & restrictions
- Events must end by 10 PM
- Amplified music permitted both indoors and outdoors
- No smoking anywhere on resort grounds
- Open flame / candles subject to resort fire-safety approval
- Private beach ceremonies weather-permitting, with indoor backup spaces held for rain
- Event insurance not required by the venue
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready · On-site bridal suite and get-ready rooms plus the full-service SpaTerre spa for hair, makeup, massage and nails — book the wedding party in advance
Parking · Large on-site parking lot; discounted valet available for guests
Accessibility · Resort-level accessibility with wheelchair-accessible restrooms and paved paths between most spaces
Rain plan · Indoor ballroom and event rooms are held as weather backups for beach and courtyard ceremonies
How to book
Reach the Kona Kai event team at 619.819.8142 or via their weddings page to check dates and request a proposal; popular April–October Saturdays book roughly 12–18 months out, so tour early and secure your date once the food-and-beverage minimum fits your headcount.
Photographing Kona Kai
The bay faces roughly west-northwest, so late-afternoon and golden-hour light pours across the private beach and marina — schedule the ceremony 60–90 minutes before sunset for warm backlight on the water, and use the harbor as a glowing backdrop for portraits as the sky turns.
For variety, work the Spanish-style architecture and Cabo Courtyard fountain for texture, the palm gardens for lush greenery, the private beach for wide bay-and-sailboat frames, and the ballroom's crystal chandeliers for elevated interior shots when the light drops.
Engagement sessions at Kona Kai
Kona Kai's mix of bayfront sand, tropical gardens and Spanish architecture makes it a strong engagement-session backdrop as well — many couples shoot here before booking the wedding.
Best light · Late afternoon into golden hour, west-facing bay
Signature backdrop · Private beach with marina and sailboats
Runner-up · Cabo Courtyard fountain and palm gardens
Vibe · Coastal resort, relaxed and romantic
Clear any non-guest photo session with the event team first, since the beach and courtyards are active resort spaces.
What couples love
- Stunning waterfront setting with genuine private-beach ceremonies right on San Diego Bay
- A responsive, detail-oriented event team that couples repeatedly credit for smooth planning
- On-site hotel rooms, spa and restaurant that turn the wedding into an easy destination weekend for guests
Good to know
- Pricing is built around per-person packages plus food-and-beverage minimums rather than a flat site fee, so costs scale with your headcount, day and season
- The private beach can host large open-air events, but the ballroom and rooms are the go-to for anything weather-sensitive or over the beach seating comfort level
- Booking through The Knot has come with perks like welcome champagne for ceremony guests and a complimentary second night in a junior suite for the couple
A typical wedding day at Kona Kai
Getting ready — Wedding party preps in the bridal suite / get-ready rooms or at SpaTerre spa
Ceremony — Vows on the private beach or in the Cabo Courtyard, ~60–90 minutes before sunset
Cocktail hour — Bay-view terraces or the courtyard with passed apps and signature drinks
Reception — Dinner and dancing in the Point Loma Ballroom or on a waterfront terrace
Golden hour — Steal away for beach and marina portraits as the sun drops over the bay
Frequently asked questions
How many guests can Kona Kai hold for a wedding?
Indoor and courtyard receptions seat up to about 350–500 guests, and the open-air private beach can accommodate ceremonies for up to 750.
Is there really a private beach?
Yes — Kona Kai has one of San Diego's only private wedding beaches, a nearly 23,000 sq ft stretch of bayfront sand used for ceremonies and beachside receptions.
What does a wedding cost here?
Ceremony fees run roughly $1,600–$3,600, reception packages are about $177–$250 per person, and food-and-beverage minimums apply; The Knot estimates an average all-in cost around $35,300.
Is catering in house or can I bring my own?
Catering and bar are handled in house with customizable menus; the resort's culinary team, Vessel Restaurant and partner bakery cover food, cake and drinks.
Is there an intimate or elopement option?
Yes — an intimate wedding package for up to 25 guests is offered at around $3,500.
What time do weddings have to end?
Events wrap by 10 PM, with amplified music allowed both indoors and outdoors until then.
Are hotel rooms available for guests?
The resort has 170 guest rooms plus suites, so couples and out-of-town guests can stay on site and often reserve a room block.
Where can the wedding party get ready?
A bridal suite and get-ready rooms are available, and the on-site SpaTerre spa offers hair, makeup and pampering packages.
What's parking like?
There's a large on-site lot, with discounted valet parking available for wedding guests.
When is the best time of year to marry here?
April through October is peak season for warm, dry bayfront weather, though San Diego's mild climate makes weddings viable year-round.
How far is it from the airport?
Kona Kai is only about 3 miles — roughly a 10-minute drive — from San Diego International Airport, making it easy for out-of-town guests.
How far ahead should we book?
Peak-season Saturdays commonly book 12–18 months out; tour early and lock your date once the minimums match your guest count.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 1551 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
From San Diego Intl (SAN) · ~3 mi · 10 min
Neighborhood · Shelter Island, Point Loma peninsula
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- On-site: Kona Kai Resort & Spa (170 rooms and suites)
- Humphreys Half Moon Inn (Shelter Island, walkable)
- Bay Club Hotel & Marina (Shelter Island)
- Courtyard by Marriott Liberty Station (nearby Point Loma)
The history behind Kona Kai
- Kona Kai has anchored the tip of Shelter Island — a manmade island created from bay dredging in the 1950s — as one of San Diego's classic waterfront resorts
- The property blends Spanish-influenced architecture with a working marina, private beach and tropical gardens across roughly 11 waterfront acres
- It operates today as part of the Noble House Resorts collection, offering a full-service spa (SpaTerre), the Vessel Restaurant + Bar and 170 guest rooms
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Hotel del Coronado · The Prado · Lodge at Torrey Pines · L'Auberge Del Mar · Grand Tradition.
Planning a wedding at Kona Kai? Reach out to check your date →
