How do I get there? Where should I fly into?
The closest major airport is San Francisco International (SFO), about 3.5 hours from the venue. Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) are also reasonable options if you find better fares — all three are roughly the same drive time once you're on the road. See question below for specific routes.
Should I rent a car?
If you're flying in, yes, you will need one. This part of the Mendocino Coast is rural and remote with no Uber, Lyft, or taxi service available on demand. We strongly recommend booking your rental car in advance, especially for a holiday weekend. Pick it up at the airport and hit the road — the drive itself is part of the experience.
What is the best route to the venue?
We can't wait for you to take this drive and see this part of NorCal — it's incredibly scenic. Coming from SFO, we recommend taking Highway 101 (Redwood Highway) to Highway 128 (Boonville/Navarro Road) to Highway 1 (Shoreline Highway). In our opinion, this is the most beautiful route with the most worthwhile stops along the way. We'd steer you away from taking the 101 all the way up to Highway 20 — it's marginally faster but less scenic and has more winding roads. Plan to drive this in the daytime for the best views and for safety. The route takes about 3.5 hours without traffic or stops.
For the return trip, if you're not in a rush, it doesn't get more beautiful than hugging the coast on Route 1 the whole way down. It adds about an hour (~4.5 hours total), but the payoff is absolutely worth it. Otherwise, retracing the route you came on is a great option too.
Check back on the website in the next month or so for some site seeing recommendations along the way!
should I stay in a hotel block or airbnb?
Both are great options depending on your situation. The hotel blocks at Surf & Sand Lodge / The Beachcomber and The Beach House Inn are convenient, well-located in Fort Bragg, and guaranteed to be included in our Saturday shuttle service. They're a great choice if you're traveling solo, as a couple, or want the simplicity of a hotel.
If you're coming with a group, an Airbnb can be a more economical and social option — many are entire houses, some are even closer to the venue than the hotels, and a number of them are eligible for shuttle pickup if they're located between Westport and Fort Bragg along Highway 1. If you're unsure whether your Airbnb qualifies for shuttle service, just reach out and ask us.
See our Lodging page for more details and an Airbnb search link.
Will there be transportation to and from the venue? What about
parking at the venue? Are there local taxis and Ubers to call on demand?
We will provide shuttle service on Saturday to and from the venue. Pickups and drop-offs will be at the blocked hotels and at Airbnbs located between Westport and Fort Bragg — especially those close to Highway 1. Exact times and pickup locations will be confirmed closer to the date. When you fill out your RSVP, you'll be asked where you're staying so we can organize pickups efficiently.
Please note: there is no reliable on-demand car service in this area, so we strongly encourage guests to either use the Saturday shuttle or arrange a designated driver within their group.
The Friday welcome dinner and Sunday farewell breakfast do not have shuttle service — guests will need to drive themselves to those events. There is ample parking at the venue, which is just down the road from the house, and an attendant will be on-site Friday and Saturday to direct you.
what is the dress code?
Friday – Welcome Dinner: Dressy Casual
Saturday – Toast, Cocktail Hour & Reception: Semi-Formal/Cocktail Attire
Sunday – Farewell Breakfast: Casual. Come as you are!
Please note: the venue is an outdoor coastal property in late October, and evening temperatures may dip into the low 50s. The tent will be heated and we'll have fire pits and blankets on hand, but we recommend bringing a wrap or jacket you don't mind throwing over your outfit. Also, we think this goes without saying, but just in case, no costumes please!
when should I be there? Is everyone invited to the ceremony on Saturday?
The ceremony on Saturday afternoon is an intimate, family-only event. Unless we have spoken with you directly, all guests should be at the venue at 3:30pm on Saturday to kick off the evening with a champagne toast on the bluff followed by the cocktail hour and reception. All guests are also encouraged to join us for the Welcome Dinner on Friday and the Goodbye Breakfast on Sunday. We appreciate your understanding!
what is the deadline to rsvp?
The RSVP link will be live once invitations go out very soon. The deadline to RSVP is September 7th. Please submit one RSVP form per guest. If you need to revise your RSVP after submitting, simply just submit another form.
Can I bring a plus-one date?
We've carefully crafted our guest list and have extended plus-ones to specific guests on their invitations. Please check your invitation to see whether a guest is included for you. We truly appreciate your understanding — it means a lot to us to keep the celebration intimate.
Will there be meal choices / can I note dietary restrictions?
Food on all days will either be served as a buffet or family style on tables, giving guests an opportunity to try and have everything. There is a space on the RSVP form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Will there be an open bar?
Yes! There will be an open bar on both Friday and Saturday throughout the cocktail hour and reception.
is there a gift registry?
Yes — our registry can be found [here], and via the button on our home page. Truly, your presence is the greatest gift. But if you'd like to give, we are so grateful.