Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Darlington House

    4.6 (74 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Services - Darlington House

    Venue rental

    Darlington House Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Darlington House

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Everything was perfect about Darlington House. My guests are still talking about it over a month after our Wedding. If you are considering this venue defiantly go check it out. We fell in love w/ the charm of the place immediately. There are some restrictions such as having to use their approved catering vendors. I would stay away from Wild Thyme. Among other things, despite there being a Darlington rule against tip jars at the bar, Wild Thyme allowed their bartenders to have a tip jar out. This put my security deposit at risk, not to mention was tacky, and likely resulted in my guests feeling pressured to tip.

    Had our wedding here on 09/14/24 and we couldn't be happier with our choice to get married here. This venue is so special and unique! Every single area of the house, inside and outside, is its own work of art. The venue is well maintained and their employees are so friendly! This was actually the only venue my husband and I toured in person because as soon as we saw it we knew it was our venue. Absolutely stunning!

    Andrea K.

    This is the venue of my dreams - outdoor garden vibes (gorgeous weather for our wedding at the end of April), historical interior. We booked our venue during Covid and actually received a discount for booking without an in-person tour. It ended up working out for us but to be honest I am not sure that I would have been as happy with the location without the discount! There are several rules that make this venue difficult. Definitely make yourself aware of these / ask to see the contract prior to booking in case some of these are make or break for you. First, you can't actually get ready at the venue, so the wedding party needs to find another offsite location to get ready and perfectly time arrival so groomsmen and bridesmaids don't bump into each other. Not a huge deal but it causes complications such as time constraints and possibly paying your photographer additional for extra travel if you want to take "getting ready photos" at your getting ready location. Also, food and bev are not allowed inside so no champagne popping pics for the ladies. Second, you have to start wrapping everything up at 9:30pm. I thought it would be fine but it went by so quickly- only about an hour on the dance floor! Seems like so much work to get all the rentals out and such a short time to have fun!!! We ended up having to spend more money for an after party because of the curfew. The curfew is due to the neighboring houses which is totally understandable! Third, the string lights you see in practically every photo is not a part of darlington. You need to find a rental company to put those up for you. I think it cost around $600. Yup, taken off and put up for every event... And then there are other restrictions like no hard liquor shots allowed, no real flower petals, no tosses of things such as rice, glitter, confetti, etc. Also just a heads up that because it is a garden wedding there are definitely bees. Pack that epipen if you are allergic! And finally, this location is not super handicap friendly. Although they do provide a ramp, it takes out a lot of space to put chairs in the ceremony area. Bathroom entrances are tight and large wheelchairs may not fit. We put our photobooth in the Egyptian patio and the bar in the library. I'm not sure if you are able to have the bar in the rose garden, but because both were in separate locations hardly anyone was on the dance floor! I would definitely move the photobooth in the rose garden if there's space. And our guests also didn't know there were desserts because they're hidden in the summer house. Definitely ask your DJ to announce desserts more than once. And finally.... Because where the bride comes out shares the same entrance as the guests, any late guests will have to wait outside the house and wont be able to view the ceremony. Make sure to stress to your guests to be on time or wait a few minutes past start time to walk down the aisle! Overall we had a magical and memorable day with friends and family. Carly was a pleasure to work with and responds very timely!

    We had a traditional Persian ceremony with a sofreh table above the fountain in the Egyptian Patio
    Parastou Y.

    Love, love, love Darlington House! It was the perfect setting for our wedding and can't recommend it enough. Intimate and unique: We had 125 guests at our wedding on August 18 and the venue was a perfect size and fit for the elegant, intimate and warm wedding we envisioned. I didn't want the typical hotel ballroom wedding - this venue is the complete opposite, TONS of character! We planned each portion of our wedding in different areas of the venue so there was a beautiful flow and our guests loved moving from area to area. Awesome photos: this venue has so many gorgeous backdrops that you will have such a great variety of photos. The beach is super close by so you can walk there during golden hour with your photographer and snap some awesome pictures. Management: Carly was super accommodating with many of our requests and my frazzled bride emails, thank you, Carly! Volunteers there are very sweet and helpful. Thank you! Don't let the 930pm end time put you off - we started early (3pm invite time) and six hours of event time was more than enough. We didn't feel rushed. We also had a Sunday wedding so that probably helped. We had an afterparty booked nearby and it was the perfect ending (if you need recs, just message me. I researched every option in La Jolla!). Yes, the venue doesn't come with anything so you must bring in everything yourself BUT it's an opportunity to customize it exactly how you like it (trust me, you would end up upgrading chairs and what not and paying more at a hotel anyway) and all the wedding vendors in the area have worked there so they will know what to do. Ashley with Always Flawless Productions was our planner and she was amazing as she's planned so many weddings there, highly recommend her! Cherry on top: it's a nonprofit, so your venue costs are going towards a good cause. Thank you, Darlington House, for a beautiful, magical day!

    My husband and I had our wedding here and in June and wow what a wonderful day!!! The venue is absolutely gorgeous and Carly from the Darlington House was so incredible helpful and kind. It is such a unique space and offers so much freedom to bring your dream wedding to life. The weather was perfect and all the staff were amazing. I would highly recommend the darlington house for your wedding or other special event. It's a plus that they are a non profit and our money went to a great cause!

    Dining area at night! Lights at night are perfect for the SoCal vibe!
    Ryan L.

    If you're looking for the perfect place to host your wedding reception or really any evening event, the Darlington House is a must to check out. My fiancée and I had the good fortune of being able to attend a cocktail hour/wedding reception here and it was an absolute delight! The food, staff, drinks, and ambiance were all perfect as for majority of the night I had no complaints. The only gripe I saw was that the open bar ran out of certain juices and liquor fairly quickly. The staff was able to rush out and grab some more but for someone's wedding, a little foresight and maybe an earlier alcohol run would have helped. You can be confident that your wedding guests will love this place. From the first step in, to the last step out, Darlington House tries hard to make sure the big day goes as smoothly as possible. If you get an invitation to a party being hosted here, the decision is easy--RSVP yes!

    https://www.mariemonfortephotography.com/selina_mark_darlington_wedding
    Marie M.

    This venue is GORGEOUS!! As a wedding photographer, I can really appreciate all the care and attention to detail that was spent designing and now maintaining this architectural masterpiece. From the leaded glass doors and windows, to the ornate wooden carvings, to the beautiful arches and tile of their twinkle-light covered patios - every corner of this place is a photographer's dream! Plus, the beach is walking distance so you get that added backdrop for your wedding photos as well! If you are looking for a top-notch but low-key wedding venue with worldly charm and vintage whimsy, Darlington is sure to impress you and your guests in the best way! See more images here: https://www.mariemonfortephotography.com/selina_mark_darlington_wedding

    Outside the Darlington house
    Vishal S.

    We just got married here one month ago. The venue turned out amazing and all of our guests loved the ambiance. We especially liked having the different courtyards for us to break up the wedding areas such as buffet set up, bar and dinner set up. We worked with Carly, and though we had a few bumps along the way like you cannot serve alcohol before the ceremony and no red wine inside, or alcohol upstairs in the bridal suite, things went well. It got a bit frustrating at times because there was some confusion when talking about the rules for the venue but all in all we are happy we got married here.

    Coco F.

    attended a wedding in this location. The twinkly lights set up in the backyard for the reception makes the place even more dreamy. Nice, open patio area also that was set up for cocktail hour. Although the area for the ceremony is a tad bit small. There were 150 expected guests but only 75 chairs were set up. It's a perfect space for a small gathering. homey but sophisticated; beautiful, rustic home in downtown La Jolla.

    (Photo: https://www.musemomentsphoto.com)

    See all

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Monica A.
    631
    15
    25

    16 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sara C.
    0
    11
    16

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kira O.
    2
    22
    26

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Coco F.
    364
    33
    101

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kate C.
    189
    61
    12

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mo T.
    3
    22
    11

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    It was such a charming place for a wedding. The garden the bar the patio where the served snacks

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    BEST WEDDING EXPERIENCE EVERR! The beauty of a simple wedding. The food by Abbey Cater was just superb

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sheryl B.
    7
    106
    80

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy B.
    5
    16
    67

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Judy T.
    11
    30
    1

    15 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Carly W.

    Carly W.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Trish S.
    4860
    1041
    3247

    13 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of L J.
    132
    25
    9

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Darlington House

    What's max capacity for reception?

    Darlington House's Rose Garden can accommodate up to 200 guests at tables. Please contact our Venue Manager for more information.

    I realized it's all outside but my question is what happens if it rains? do they provide any outside tents for you?

    All rentals are provided by the client, including tents in case of inclement weather. Please contact our Venue Manager for more information.

    Can i book on the 2nd of September for my 60th bday?

    Please check our website calendar for availability and contact our Venue Manager to book a date!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Darlington House

    The Social Service League owns and operates a 52 unit apartment building(next door to The Darlington House).

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    La Jolla Cove Rooftop by Wedgewood Weddings - La Jolla Cove Rooftop Reception Site

    La Jolla Cove Rooftop by Wedgewood Weddings

    (36 reviews)

    La Jolla

    I attended a wedding here as a guest in March…read more The sunny Spring weather plus the unobstructed view of La Jolla Cove was the PERFECT backdrop for such a beautiful wedding! The wedding and reception ran timely and smoothly. The buffet dinner offered a variety of options and everything was tasty! There were plenty of seats and tables to ensure every guest had a place to hang out before and after the formal dinner. Heat lamps and tabletop fire pits were set up throughout the venue in the evening. What I did notice was how great and attentive the staff were in every aspect - at the bar, passing hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, photobooth. I really appreciated a female staff member notice who wasn't drinking alcohol and provided apple cider so they can participate in toasts! A staff member was also stationed by the main entrance which I'd assume is to prevent party crashers and ensure guests aren't walking out with alcohol (they thought my water was alcohol). The only downside of this gorgeous venue is the parking situation. We parked in a paid parking garage at the Morgan Stanley building for $25. It is a 0.2 mile walk to the venue.

    My friends got married here back in May! The rooftop has a beautiful view of La Jolla Cove and…read moredecor was simple, but very pretty. The ceremony was quick and food was buffet-style. There were also some tray-passed appetizers as well. The food was pretty good, but the fruit tray ran out too quickly. Overall, seems like a great venue for a wedding! I've also been here when they held a salsa dancing night here as well!

    Full Moon Bridal - 2 in 1 style Floral Mermaid Style Gown

    Full Moon Bridal

    (31 reviews)

    La Jolla

    I had the best experience with Yanna and her beautiful dress shop. This was my third dress store…read moreand I went to so many stores and tired on probably over 100 dresses total. It was exhausting but my experience with Full Moon Bridal exceeded all the other stores. Her store was well stocked and I was on a time crunch since my wedding was just three months away since we decided to do a wedding venue after all. The dresses were well organized as I wanted something simple and elegant. When I went to Full Moon Bridal it was more of a personal experience unlike other stores. You had the whole store to yourself and friends if you chose to bring them. She was so helpful with helping me try on the dresses and I got to pick quite a few to try on versus being limited like other stores. I went to about 4 or 5 stores after hers and I knew the dress I tried on at her store was the one and went back. It was also in my price range! I had it altered with her and the dress fit perfectly and the length was spot on. I highly recommend going to Full Moon Bridal. Yanna is the best and my dress was perfect!!! I felt so beautiful and my husband and wedding guests loved it. Thank you so much Yanna. I highly recommend her bridal store to everyone!!

    I already had my dress, but I stopped by to try accessories and had the best experience. The owner…read morewas incredibly sweet, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful--even knowing I wasn't purchasing a gown from her. Her insight and suggestions were such a big help in narrowing down the direction I want to go with my accessories. On top of that, the boutique itself is absolutely adorable. I'm so glad I stopped in and would highly recommend her to any bride.

    Piazza 1909 - Nestled in a historical beach house built in 1909 in the heart of La Jolla

    Piazza 1909

    (841 reviews)

    $$$

    La Jolla

    We visited for dinner while attending a social gathering and were immediately drawn in by the…read morebeautiful atmosphere. The restaurant truly carries an authentic Italian charm -- warm, welcoming, and family-oriented in a way that reminded me deeply of my years living in Italy. Knowing the family is originally from Milan made the experience feel even more genuine. Toward the end of the evening, we were the last guests there, and the quiet ambiance brought back so many memories of late dinners in Italy where conversations linger long after the meal is finished. Most importantly, you can absolutely taste the authenticity in the food. The flavors were rich, comforting, and unmistakably Italian -- not overly commercialized, but truly traditional. A lovely experience overall and one that brought back fond memories for me.

    Nice side patio. Hostess was great…read more I appreciate that the server let me try a few wines tonight, but they all seemed "rough" -either unstructured or something else. I also wasn't wild about the parmagiana eggplant appetizer. The eggplant could have been more tender and the pesto was too strong for me. But my meal got better! He switched to a Hugo spritz and it was delicious and very strong. And my main course, the fusilloni with pesto and burrata, was delicious. The pasta was perfectly firm, and the pesto was less overpowering. There was not that much burrata, but they brought me extra Parmesan and it was delicious that way. So overall a good and pleasant meal. The vegan bruschetta was also good for sharing, though a little one for one person to have on their own.

    La Valencia Hotel - Mediterranean room is the main dining room

    La Valencia Hotel

    (872 reviews)

    $$$

    La Jolla

    Review of La Valencia Hotel…read more I purchased a day pass here as someone who works in the hospitality industry and is always curious to experience new properties from a guest perspective--and La Valencia absolutely delivered. I arrived pretty early in the morning (optimistically expecting sunshine), but even with the typical coastal overcast, it didn't take away from the experience at all. In fact, I somehow ended up with the pool almost entirely to myself--in the middle of August, which felt like a hidden luxury. The setting is just beautiful. The views, the calm atmosphere, and the overall sense of escape made it easy to settle in and relax. I spent about five hours there and never felt rushed or overlooked. The staff, especially at the cabana bar, were fantastic--attentive, respectful, and genuinely pleasant to interact with. I ordered food and drinks throughout the day, and everything added to the ease and enjoyment of the experience. The only small downside is parking, which can be a bit tricky--but that's pretty standard for La Jolla. Overall, this was an incredible day experience and absolutely worth it. I'd do it again without hesitation.

    La Valencia was perfect for our daughter's wedding. The overall vibe was exactly what we were…read morelooking for - personal, classy, vintage, and comfortable. The venue was the perfect size for our 60-person wedding, and so beautiful with the ocean backdrop and landscape. There are lots of amazing spots for photography. From the moment we toured the venue, to planning details along the way, to the big day, communication was excellent. The hotel suggested vendors for our wedding that made vendor selection easy, and all of them were equally fantastic. The service the entire weekend was outstanding. The bridal suite was a fantastic space for the girls to get ready, made even better by the mimosas and treats the staff brought up. The team also went above and beyond for our family, even using the hotel golf carts to shuttle the grandparents to nearby restaurants so they wouldn't have to walk far. The food at the wedding was top-notch, with many guests raving about the meal. I was impressed with the number of wait staff who made sure the evening went smoothly. Overall, it was an incredible event, and we highly recommend La Valencia hotel.

    The Marine Room - Dessert at sunset

    The Marine Room

    (2.1k reviews)

    $$$$

    La Jolla

    Overall, it was an amazing experience. Chris (Christopher) and all the other staff were incredibly…read morekind, and it really felt like they made each guest feel special. The view was beautiful, and the restaurant itself felt very upscale. However, I ordered the lobster tail, and it seemed overcooked--it was rubbery and very difficult to cut. Even using my husband's steak knife, I had to practically tear it apart. It was also quite salty and tough, so I ended up leaving about half of it. Aside from the food, everything else was perfect.

    An absolutely amazing dining experience! Went at high tide (not King Tide) but still special…read morehaving the waves come up to our window! It was our 21st wedding anniversary and they did everything to make it special. Special table right on the window with waves up to our window. Custom personalized menu and glass of champagne to toast. Stefano was so classy and treated us like royalty. No rush at all and excellent service all night. There were a few mistakes made like timing and steak a little undercooked but they were so apologetic and went way above and beyond service to correct and make things right (way more than necessary) The lobster bisque was probably best ever and our Poached Butter lobster and Waygu Ribeye were spectacular. Everything was fantastic and how they took care of us over very minor mistakes, was stellar! We will be back for other special occasions and highly recommend for special dining experience.

    Darlington House - venues - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...