Del Mar oceanfront resort
L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding Photographer
A bluff-top Del Mar resort where rooftop terraces and an oceanside park frame Pacific sunsets, on the same beachfront where Hollywood's golden age once escaped the spotlight.
About L'Auberge Del Mar
L'Auberge Del Mar sits on a garden bluff above miles of pristine Del Mar coastline, in the heart of the village and steps from the beach. The resort traces its lineage to the 1910 Stratford Inn, a Hollywood-era escape for the likes of Lucy and Desi Arnaz and Jimmy Durante, and reopened as L'Auberge Del Mar in 1989 after the original hotel was demolished.
Today the 121-room resort pairs oceanview event spaces with full luxury amenities — a spa, coastal-Californian dining, and on-site accommodations that keep the whole wedding weekend in one place. Couples can marry on the oceanside lawn at Seagrove Park or the rooftop Pacific Terrace, then celebrate through the night, with sunset over the Pacific as the recurring backdrop.
Location · Del Mar, CA (coastal San Diego)
Style · Oceanview coastal luxury resort
Capacity · Up to 200 seated
Venue fee from · From $5,500 (site fee)
Best season · May–November
Last updated July 2026 · Official site, The Knot, WeddingWire, Here Comes the Guide
The complete L'Auberge planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Ceremony · Up to 200
Reception · Up to 200
Cocktail/standing · Up to 200
Rentable spaces
- Seagrove Park — oceanside lawn adjacent to the beach for ceremonies of up to 200, with the Pacific as backdrop
- Pacific Terrace — rooftop terrace with panoramic ocean views for ceremonies or receptions up to 200
- Sunset Terrace — intimate outdoor terrace for ceremonies, cocktails, or receptions up to 120
- Platinum Ballroom — indoor ballroom for dinner, dancing, and after-parties up to 200
- Spa garden & couple's garden — private garden spaces on the spa grounds with a European soaking tub
Pricing
Site fee (starting) · $5,500
Wedding package (per person) · $289–$399
Typical spend · ~$70,000
Package inclusions · Multi-course plated dinner, hosted bar, champagne service
Catering & bar
Catering and bar are provided in-house by the resort's culinary team using local, seasonal ingredients, served as multi-course plated dinners. Per-person packages include a hosted bar — gold-brand selections at entry level and platinum brands with signature cocktails at premium tiers; outside catering and BYO alcohol are not permitted.
Rules & restrictions
- Music and end-time limits apply per resort policy; confirm curfew for your space at booking
- Amplified music is permitted indoors in the Platinum Ballroom; outdoor amplified sound is restricted (residential coastal setting)
- Open flame — candles subject to approval; confirm with your coordinator
- Confetti and loose-petal tosses should be cleared with the events team; biodegradable options preferred
- In-house catering and in-house alcohol only
- Vendor insurance/certificates may be required for outside vendors
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready · Bridal dressing rooms provided; on-site guest rooms and suites available for getting-ready mornings
Parking · Discounted hosted valet parking included in wedding packages
Accessibility · Wheelchair-accessible with accessible restrooms
Rain plan · The indoor Platinum Ballroom serves as the weather backup for outdoor ceremonies
How to book
Contact the L'Auberge Del Mar weddings team via laubergedelmar.com or (858) 793-6445 to check dates and request a proposal; peak May–November Saturdays book well ahead, so inquire 12+ months out and ask about room blocks for the weekend.
Photographing L'Auberge
The site is built for sunset: rooftop Pacific Terrace and the Seagrove Park lawn both face west over the ocean, so schedule couple portraits for the golden hour before sundown when the water glows and the crowds thin on the beach. May through November offers the driest skies and warmest coastal light.
Signature backdrops include the oceanside bluff and beach steps from the resort, the rooftop terrace panorama, and the lush spa and couple's gardens for softer, greener frames. The village setting also opens up charming Del Mar streetscapes just outside the gates.
Engagement sessions at L'Auberge
The bluff-top gardens, beach, and rooftop terrace make L'Auberge a natural spot for oceanview engagement and welcome-weekend portraits.
Setting · Oceanfront bluff, beach, rooftop terrace, spa gardens
Best light · Golden hour at sunset over the Pacific
On-site stay · 121 rooms and suites, most with ocean-view terraces
Season · May–November for driest skies
Coordinate with the resort's events team to reserve terrace or beach access for portraits during your stay.
What couples love
- Breathtaking ocean views and unforgettable sunset ambiance
- Exceptional, attentive event coordinators and staff
- High-quality food and seamless service
- On-site accommodations that keep guests and the celebration together
- A flexible team that personalizes the weekend
Good to know
- Per-person packages run high ($289–$399) and typical all-in spend is around $70,000 — this is a luxury coastal resort
- Capacity tops out near 200, so it suits mid-size rather than very large guest lists
- The resort's coastal, residential setting means outdoor amplified music is restricted — confirm sound rules for your space
- On-site catering and bar are required; no outside caterers or BYO alcohol
- With 121 rooms on-site, book a room block early for peak-season weekends
A typical wedding day at L'Auberge
Getting ready — Prep in a dressing room or ocean-view suite with the beach just outside
Ceremony — Say vows on Seagrove Park's oceanside lawn or the rooftop Pacific Terrace
Cocktail hour — Guests sip on the Sunset Terrace as the sun drops toward the water
Reception — Plated dinner and dancing in the Platinum Ballroom
Golden hour — Steal away for bluff-top and beach portraits at sunset
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wedding at L'Auberge Del Mar cost?
Site fees start around $5,500 and per-person packages run roughly $289–$399; couples typically spend about $70,000 all in.
What is the maximum guest capacity?
Most spaces accommodate up to 200 seated guests; the Sunset Terrace holds up to 120.
Where can we hold the ceremony?
Popular choices are the oceanside Seagrove Park lawn, the rooftop Pacific Terrace, and the Sunset Terrace, all with ocean or coastal views.
Is catering in-house?
Yes. The resort's culinary team provides all catering with local, seasonal ingredients; outside catering is not permitted.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
No. Bar service is provided in-house, with hosted gold- or platinum-brand packages; BYO alcohol is not allowed.
Are there guest rooms on-site?
Yes — 121 rooms and suites, most with terraces and ocean views, ideal for a room block and getting-ready mornings.
Is parking available?
Discounted hosted valet parking is included in wedding packages.
What's the backup plan if it rains?
The indoor Platinum Ballroom serves as the weather backup for outdoor ceremonies and receptions.
Are there restrictions on outdoor music?
Yes. Given the coastal, residential setting, outdoor amplified music is restricted; amplified sound is best kept indoors — confirm specifics with the events team.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, with accessible paths and restrooms.
How far is it from the airport?
L'Auberge is in Del Mar, about 20 miles and roughly 25 minutes from San Diego International Airport.
How far in advance should we book?
Peak May–November weekends book up early; plan to inquire at least 12 months ahead.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
From San Diego Intl (SAN) · ~20 mi · ~25 min
From Downtown San Diego · ~22 mi · ~28 min
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- On-site: L'Auberge Del Mar (121 rooms and suites, most with ocean views)
- Del Mar Motel on the Beach (walkable)
- Hotel Indigo Del Mar
- Fairmont Grand Del Mar (~15 min inland)
The history behind L'Auberge
- The site's hospitality history began with the 1910 Stratford Inn, a beachfront retreat
- During Hollywood's golden age it drew stars including Lucy and Desi Arnaz and Jimmy Durante, near the Bing Crosby-founded Del Mar racetrack
- The original hotel served military families during WWII, then declined and was demolished in 1969
- Local resident Jim Watkins purchased the site in 1985 and reopened it as L'Auberge Del Mar in 1989
- Major renovations followed in 2008 and again in 2021
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Hotel del Coronado · The Prado · Lodge at Torrey Pines · Kona Kai Resort · Grand Tradition.
Planning a wedding at L'Auberge? Reach out to check your date →
