La Jolla, California
Scripps Seaside Forum Wedding Photographer
An award-winning oceanfront venue at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, steps from La Jolla Shores, where floor-to-ceiling glass, a beachfront veranda, and Pacific sunsets set the scene.
About Scripps Seaside Forum
Scripps Seaside Forum sits directly on the sand at La Jolla Shores, part of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Its modern, award-winning architecture pairs floor-to-ceiling glass with a tiled beachfront veranda, so the Pacific is the backdrop from nearly every angle. Few Southern California venues put couples this close to the ocean with a genuine indoor-outdoor flow.
The location is built for sunset. Ceremonies on the beachfront terrace face west over the water, cocktails spill onto the veranda, and dinner can move inside the glass-walled Samuel H. Scripps Auditorium as the sky changes color. With direct beach access for portraits and La Jolla Shores just outside, it's a destination-wedding favorite that still feels distinctly San Diego.
Location · Oceanfront at La Jolla Shores, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Style · Modern glass-walled architecture with a beachfront terrace and ocean views
Capacity · Up to 200 guests
Ceremony · Outdoor beachfront terrace (up to 200) or indoor (up to 99)
Best season · Late spring through early fall for warm, clear sunset evenings
Facts drawn from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography official venues page, the Scripps Seaside Forum Wedding Handbook, and Wedding Spot's venue listing; verify current rates and policies directly with the venue.
The complete Scripps Seaside Forum planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Seated dinner · Up to 200 indoors; up to 150 for an outdoor reception
Standing/cocktail · Up to 200
Ceremony · Up to 200 outdoors on the terrace; up to 99 indoors
Rentable spaces
- Samuel H. Scripps Auditorium — main event hall with floor-to-ceiling glass, a balcony, and full audio-visual system for ceremonies, dinner, and dancing.
- Beachfront tiled veranda/terrace — oceanfront outdoor space for ceremonies and cocktails right above the sand.
- Four ocean-view conference/breakout rooms — the Ted Scripps, Robert Scripps, Buzzelli-Loeb, and Charles Scripps rooms for getting ready, catering staging, or smaller gatherings.
- Direct beach access — La Jolla Shores sand just outside for portraits and a barefoot sunset feel.
Pricing
Peak Saturday · Approximately $4,500-$4,750 for ceremony and reception (9 hours including setup and cleanup)
Off-peak · Similar base rental; weddings are held Friday-Sunday. Additional hours about $750 each
What's included · Venue for 9 hours, on-site security, a day-of coordinator, tables, AV/sound system, and prep kitchen; a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the rental fee is required
Catering & bar
Catering is from an approved caterers list rather than in-house — you select from vendors the venue works with. The on-site kitchen is prep-only. Alcohol must be served by a licensed bartender or caterer; BYO alcohol is permitted when served by licensed staff.
Rules & restrictions
- Weddings are held Friday through Sunday only.
- Amplified music moves indoors after 8 p.m.; receptions typically end at 10 p.m. (an 11 p.m. option is available for an added fee).
- No rice, birdseed, or confetti.
- Smoking is permitted outside only.
- Certificate of insurance is required per venue guidelines.
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready space · Ocean-view conference rooms can serve as getting-ready and staging areas — confirm availability and timing with the venue
Parking · About 100 first-come, first-park spots across three surrounding lots (only ~16 reservable); all cars need permits from a lot attendant for an added fee
Load-in · Setup and cleanup are built into the 9-hour rental; beachfront location means confirming vendor access routes in advance
How to book
Book through Scripps venue rentals or the online inquiry form. Request the Scripps Seaside Forum Wedding Handbook for current rates, then reserve with the 25% non-refundable deposit. As an oceanfront La Jolla venue with limited Friday-Sunday dates, prime summer and early-fall sunsets book far in advance.
Photographing Scripps Seaside Forum
This is a sunset venue first and foremost. West-facing ceremonies put the Pacific and the setting sun directly behind couples, and the tiled veranda gives you clean foreground with open ocean beyond. Golden hour here is exceptional — warm backlight off the water, silhouettes against the horizon, and the glass architecture catching reflected color. Bring the wedding party down to the La Jolla Shores sand for barefoot portraits.
When light fades, the modern glass-and-steel building becomes its own subject: floor-to-ceiling windows glow from inside, and the balcony offers elevated angles over the reception. Overcast marine-layer days actually flatter portraits with soft, wraparound light, so there's rarely a bad hour. Scout the seawall and adjacent Kellogg Park stretch of beach for wider coastal frames.
Engagement sessions at Scripps Seaside Forum
La Jolla Shores and the beach just outside the Forum make for a classic oceanfront engagement session, with sand, surf, and sunset all within a short walk.
Best time · The hour before sunset for warm light over the Pacific
Permit/fee · The public La Jolla Shores beach and Kellogg Park are free to shoot; using the Forum property itself requires booking — confirm with the venue
Standout spots · The waterline at La Jolla Shores, the seawall, and the modern glass facade at dusk
Shoot the public beach freely, but arrange access in advance if you want to use the Forum's terrace or interior.
What couples love
- A true oceanfront setting with Pacific sunsets from nearly every angle.
- Direct La Jolla Shores beach access for portraits.
- Award-winning modern architecture with floor-to-ceiling glass.
- Indoor-outdoor flow so weather is never a dealbreaker.
- Day-of coordinator, security, and AV included in the rental.
Good to know
- Weddings are Friday-Sunday only, and prime sunset dates book early.
- Amplified music must move indoors after 8 p.m. and end by 10 p.m.
- Parking is limited and permit-based across shared public lots.
- Catering is from an approved list; the kitchen is prep-only.
- The 25% deposit is non-refundable, so lock dates carefully.
A typical wedding day at Scripps Seaside Forum
3:00 PM — Vendor load-in and setup as the rental window opens
4:30 PM — Guests arrive; getting-ready wraps in ocean-view rooms
5:00 PM — Beachfront terrace ceremony facing the Pacific
5:45 PM — Cocktails on the veranda during golden hour
10:00 PM — Reception ends (11 PM available for an added fee)
Frequently asked questions
Is Scripps Seaside Forum right on the beach?
Yes. It sits directly at La Jolla Shores with a beachfront terrace and direct sand access, and ocean views from nearly every space.
How many guests can it hold?
Up to 200 guests; outdoor ceremonies seat up to 200, indoor ceremonies up to 99, and outdoor receptions up to 150.
What does a wedding cost?
Roughly $4,500-$4,750 for a 9-hour ceremony-and-reception rental including setup and cleanup, with additional hours around $750.
What days can we get married there?
Weddings are held Friday through Sunday only.
Can we watch the sunset during the ceremony?
Yes — the west-facing beachfront terrace looks straight out over the Pacific, making it a premier sunset ceremony spot.
Do we have to use their caterer?
You choose from an approved caterers list; the on-site kitchen is for prep only.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
BYO alcohol is permitted, but it must be served by a licensed bartender or caterer.
What time does the music have to stop?
Amplified music moves indoors after 8 p.m. and receptions typically end at 10 p.m., with an 11 p.m. option for an added fee.
Is there parking?
About 100 first-come spots sit across three surrounding lots with only around 16 reservable; all cars need permits from a lot attendant for a fee.
Is there a space to get ready on-site?
Ocean-view conference rooms can be used for getting ready and staging — confirm availability and timing when you book.
What's included in the rental?
The 9-hour rental includes on-site security, a day-of coordinator, tables, an AV/sound system, and a prep kitchen.
Are there restrictions on send-offs?
No rice, birdseed, or confetti are allowed; smoking is permitted outside only.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 8610 Kennel Way, La Jolla, CA 92037
Nearest airport · San Diego International Airport (SAN), about 20-25 minutes
Drive time · Roughly 15 minutes from downtown San Diego
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- La Jolla Shores Hotel
- Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
- La Valencia Hotel
The history behind Scripps Seaside Forum
- The Forum is part of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, one of the oldest and largest centers for ocean and earth science, founded in 1903.
- The current award-winning building received a 2009 Orchid design award for its modern oceanfront architecture.
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa · Indian Hills Golf Club · Canyon Crest Country Club · Riverside Art Museum · Darlington House.
Planning a wedding at Scripps Seaside Forum? Reach out to check your date →
