About Hummingbird Nest Ranch

Set in the Santa Susana Mountains just outside Simi Valley, Hummingbird Nest Ranch is a wedding venue with roots that go back well before the property took its current form. The Chumash people lived on this land for centuries, and it later became part of El Rancho Simi, one of the large Spanish land grants that shaped the region. The ranch takes its name from the hummingbirds that are drawn to the property year-round. Today it operates as a film and event destination as well, which says something about how much the grounds offer as a visual setting.  

Couples are drawn to Hummingbird Nest Ranch for its privacy, the variety of settings to choose from, and the mix of rustic and refined that runs across the different spaces. Each site on the property has its own character, so couples can find the setting that fits the kind of day they want to have. That range, combined with a location that feels removed from the city, gives the ranch a flexibility that is hard to find in one place.

Wedding Event Spaces

Villa

The Villa sits at the top of the property and is built in Spanish Colonial style, with white walls, arched entryways, tiled staircases, and bougainvillea along the facade. The courtyards, ironwork, and bougainvillea give the space its character, ceremonies face open mountain views, and dinner receptions set up in front of the Villa with guests looking out over an expansive view.

Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull is the original 1920s ranch house, restored and set among eucalyptus, cypress, pepper trees, and an olive grove. The house serves as a getting ready space, ceremonies work well among the trees, cocktails spread out among the trees or around the pool, portraits take place in the private garden, and receptions set up beautifully in the cobblestone courtyard.

Grand Prix

Grand Prix is an open field set between the rock formations and the Villa. It has a lot of room to work with as a ceremony lawn or reception space, and once the sun goes down the illuminated Villa gives the space a beautiful backdrop.

Lake Lawn

Lake Lawn sits beside the ranch lake, framed by rock formations and mature elm, coral and pepper trees. The open lawn gives couples a lot to work with, and the space lends itself well to custom tented receptions.

Q Vineyard

Q Vineyard sits higher on the property among cabernet sauvignon vines and rock outcroppings, with a barn for indoor options and an open lawn for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. The elevation opens up the views, and the combination of vines, rock formations, and mountain views gives it a look that is distinct from anywhere else on the ranch.

Barn

The Barn is built in Spanish style with clean white walls, dark mahogany accents in the central foyer, and a wrought iron chandelier overhead. It works well as an indoor space for ceremonies, receptions, or cocktail hour.

What We Love About Hummingbird Nest Ranch

Multiple Distinct Sites

The ranch has six separate event sites, each with its own look and feel. We love that whether a couple chooses the Villa's Spanish Colonial architecture, the lakeside lawn, or the historic Sitting Bull, they are working with a setting that reflects a specific vision.

Mountain and Vineyard Views

The Santa Susana Mountains frame the property on all sides, and the on-site cabernet sauvignon vineyard adds another layer to the landscape. We find that the combination of open sky, rock formations, and cultivated vines gives us a beautiful backdrop throughout the day.

Private and Secluded Setting

The ranch is close enough to Los Angeles to be an easy drive, but the property feels genuinely removed from the city once you are on it. We have photographed here enough times to know that guests feel that difference from the moment they arrive.

Insider Tips

The property has on-site accommodations that allow guests to stay overnight. That means the morning of the wedding starts on the property, which gives us more time and a more relaxed start to the day.  

Each site on the property has its own character, and it is worth thinking about which specific elements you want to work into your portraits. The Villa has the arches and ironwork, Sitting Bull has the olive grove and cobblestone courtyard, the Lake Lawn has the water, and Q Vineyard has the vines and rock formations. Knowing which details matter to you helps us plan for portraits more intentionally on the day.  

Golden hour is consistently strong across every site on this property, and stepping away from guests for a few minutes during that window is always worth it..

Who Is the Right Couple for This Venue

Couples who choose Hummingbird Nest Ranch want their venue to feel like a destination. They are drawn to open spaces with character, and they want their guests to immediately feel that they are somewhere special from the moment they arrive. The ranch suits couples who want the scale to feel grand and the atmosphere to feel warm at the same time.

Couples who choose Hummingbird Nest Ranch want their venue to feel like a destination, and the Santa Susana Mountain setting gives guests exactly that from the moment they arrive. With six sites ranging from the Villa's expansive mountain views to the tree-shaded intimacy of Sitting Bull, there is enough variety that couples can find a space that fits the kind of day they envision. The ranch also suits couples who want the scale to feel grand and the atmosphere to feel warm, and the combination of large open event spaces and mature trees and gardens across the property gives them both.

Inspiration

The best way to get a feel for what your day could look like at Hummingbird Nest Ranch is to see real weddings we have photographed at this property. We are currently working on adding weddings to our site and cannot wait to share them with you.

Considering a Hummingbird Nest Ranch Wedding?

Whether you are still exploring venues or have already chosen Hummingbird Nest Ranch, we would love to connect. We have photographed here throughout the year and would love to share what we have seen and learned from documenting weddings at this property.