Choosing the right venue for your celebration can be one of the most difficult aspects of the event planning process. The look and feel of the space are both essential elements that must be considered, not to mention the location in respect to your varied guest list. Now that you’re also considering the environment while planning your event however, you have a new element to consider – how green is my venue? Luckily across southern California, dozens of event spaces are popping up that incorporate environmental initiatives into their business practices. Below are a few of our favorite eco chic Green Event venues.

Located in Culver City, the SmogShoppe is LA’s newest green event space. What was once a smog check center, has now been transformed into a 100% solar powered indoor/outdoor venue. The space is filled with chic vintage furnishings, vertical garden walls, succulent plants, and tons of recycled and sustainable features. The SmogShoppe can accommodate 200 person garden ceremonies and formal sit down dinners, 300 person cocktail parties, and 100 person film screenings. With soaring 15 foot ceilings, valet parking, and LEED Platinum certification in the works, we can’t wait to plan our next Green Event at the SmogShoppe!

Situated right in the heart of beautiful Laguna Beach, lies the hidden gem Seven4One Hotel. Surrounded by world renowned art galleries and eateries, and just steps away from the ocean waves, Seven4One is an ideal location to hold a small private or corporate celebration. Their commitment to sustainability is evident throughout the hotel as well. From organic and locally grown foods, to bamboo guests towels and a recycling center on the premises, Seven4One is definitely “transparently green.”

A short drive south takes you to beautiful San Diego and the home of Hotel Solamar, a luxury boutique hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter. A member of the EPA’s Green Lodging Program, Hotel Solamar incorporates sustainable practices at every level of their operations. The venue even donate unused or partially used amenties to community programs and offer discounted parking to guests who drive hybrids. Combined with a vibrant energy and facilities to accommodate events up to 750 people, Hotel Solomar definitely embodies the standard for green venues.

Posted in Going Green, Green Event Planning, Green Weddings, Venues