Los Angeles River Center & Gardens

It's like receiving an unexpected surprise when you visit the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens. This stunning event property, only minutes from downtown Los Angeles and right over the Los Angeles River, will fit many a bride's fantasy wedding destination. The Center is a well-kept secret, concealed behind ivy-covered walls. The entry is marked by a broad, circular brick driveway with a spreading ficus tree in the center, and the first look of the fountains, flowers, and serenity within is through the arched, wrought-iron gate. The courtyard at the entrance is a lovely way to begin your visit to the Center, but the carved wooden doors in the back soon draw you into the Main Courtyard, which is the perfect setting for a special occasion. The arcaded terraces of the Center's buildings surround the multi-level plaza on three sides. The breeze rustles the pepper trees, as roses, agapanthus, and daylilies soak up the sun in the beds. A three-tiered fountain sits in the midst of a tiled reflecting pool, surrounded on all four sides by terra cotta pots filled with flowers. An arched gateway in a stucco wall leads from the Main courtyard to the San Fernando Courtyard, another spacious patio with an adjoining lawn. This patio is dappled in shade and has a calm dignity thanks to a great old ficus tree. The lawn, which is surrounded by tree-lined walls, is frequently utilized for ceremonies, while the patio can be used for meals or dancing. The San Fernando Courtyard is its own private little universe, bordered on one side by the California Building and on the other three by high walls. The California Building is used for indoor events and major meetings. A Mexican-tile floor, arched windows, and a large, peaked roof flood the main event space with natural light. Tables and chairs are arranged beneath the skylight, with additional sitting accessible on the second-story walkway that circles the area. Smaller meetings and conferences can be held in the Los Feliz Room.