Just an amazing place. The gardens, giant Oak trees everywhere-everything about Portola Inn is beautiful and serene and Tom is the most hospitable of hosts. We will definitely return. read more

Portola Inn - Oaks - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Atascadero, California

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Tom was helpful and asked us lots of questions. It was a beautiful venue, with lots of trees and birds, and we were able to craft the day to what we needed. I think my wife was happy with the experience. We were able to have a live band in the carriage house, and they have lots of connections with local caterers and bar services, so planning was pretty simple. Staff helped me put things together with check ins six months ahead of time and a few months out. They help you troubleshoot things like sound and table arrangement. They've got years of experience putting on weddings, and it shows. That alone was comforting. read more

Updated to add photos :) We booked with Portola Inn in April of 2019 for our October 17th, 2020 wedding. Of course as most of us getting married in 2020 experienced our plans changed from a 80-100 person wedding down to just 20, including us, and Peggy and Tom could not have done a more perfect job adapting to the changes, following all of the guidelines, and making our day more beautiful than we ever could have imagined. Peggy is an amazing coordinator, and made sure things I never even thought of got done. They made sure to set up everything in a socially distant way that didn't feel cold or sterile, but instead warm and intimate. We honestly can't imagine our day being any different now; it was perfect! read more

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Loved chatting with Tom and learning about local history and the amazing Atascadero micro climate! A generous and gracious host! Love the homemade apricot jam he shared with us! read more

Portola Inn - Garden Entry Gate - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Atascadero, California

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My husband and I recently stayed at the Portola Inn for a quick night away. We stayed in the master suite, and it was simply lovely. The historic adobe style was enchanting. Everything was spotlessly clean, cozy, and thought-through. They even had a little Christmas tree for the holiday season. There is a fireplace, couch, and jacuzzi tub and coffee and popcorn add such a welcoming touch. The property is absolutely beautiful with gardens and paths to walk around and enjoy. I highly recommend this place as a quaint get-a-way on the central coast. read more

Before covid, we won a champagne brunch for 6 people at the portolla inn. Even though our prize expired, Peggy and Tom honored it. They set up a cozy brunch with apricot French toast and local sausages. Everything was super delicious. Tom gave us a tour of each of the buildings and grounds which is absolutely beautiful. Tom has a wealth of knowledge regarding the history of the grounds and houses on the property and we were fortunate to hear about all of it. My 3 year old son came with us after we couldn't get the babysitter that day. They were prepared with toys for him to play with and showed him a fun secret passage to the loft above us. Portolla inn is such a unique treasure in this county and would be a great venue for an event. Peggy and Tom give you so much attention to ensure your visit is perfect. read more

This was such a lovely venue! The staff members were very friendly, and it's very customizable for the event. There's lots of space, and it makes for great photos. One of my complaints is the with such a nice venue, there should have been a guest restroom and not a porta potty. The bartender did a good job at handling the long line, and everything went seemed to go smoothly. I loved the house where the dance was. I was told there's a strict 100 person limit, and I could see why because it's a somewhat small venue. read more

Portola Inn - Beautiful venue for a wedding - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Atascadero, California

I recently got married on 10/10/20 and I decided to change my wedding from 100 guests to 8 guests since both my father and father in law are at higher risk for COVID. Peggy and Tom were so sweet and understanding and were able to adjust my wedding package. I am SOOO happy I chose to get married at the Portola inn. The grounds are absolutely GORGEOUS and your wedding photos will look so amazing! Not only will you have a beautiful venue but Peggy also acts as an event planner which was so helpful! She was always very prompt in getting back to me with any questions or concerns I had and even referred me to amazing local vendors. On the day of the wedding Peggy was running around making sure everything was set up and helping with last minute details. Tom helped make sure that my arch was secure since it was such a windy day. He even helped my dad with his tie! Both Peggy and Tom went above and beyond and I can't thank them enough. I felt very safe having my wedding during a pandemic at the Portola Inn. Peggy and Tom were respectful and made sure to have their masks on at all times and followed guidelines. Do yourselves a favor and book your wedding at the Portola inn. You won't regret it! read more

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The venue is beautiful however the people that run it, Tom & Peggy, are an absolute nightmare. I have never been to a wedding where the owners were so incredibly rude and unprofessional. Our family rented out the entire house and they wouldn't let us use all of the doors to go in and out of the house. Literally, use the doors to walk in and out. There were no signs saying you couldn't use a door. Peggy walked around with her clipboard and was yelling at people to stop using the doors and kicked out my grandma and aunts who were SITTING in the living room talking. Then her husband, Tom, kept the verbal abuse party going as he kept taunting my fiancé repeatedly saying "hey look everyone he peed his pants." It was jaw dropping how he was talking. It is not fair for the bride & groom to have to apologize to their guests for how unprofessional the owners were. Do NOT have your event here because it is not worth Tom & Peggy possibly ruining it. Tom & Peggy, I would get out of the customer service business because you are clearly not cut out for it. read more

My sister had her wedding at this gorgeous venue in June of 2017. It was perfect. All around, Tom and Peggy do a phenomenal job. They are very hospitable and helpful, but what really impressed me was how well trained their staff was. When we drove up on the wedding day, we were immediately greeted by one of their friendly staff members, who pointed us towards the parking lot. Once in the lot there was another staff member who was helping to coordinate parking. Then, once we left the car, we were not exactly sure which way to go- but that did not matter! There was another staff member there to point us in the right direction! Tom & Peggy have thought of everything that could go wrong (i.e. people getting lost in the parking lot) and they put people or policies in place to make sure that nothing does. The staff was a bit younger too (although they acted more professionally than most adults do). And so, not only does Portola Inn offer breathtaking views and friendly service, but they also employ young people, whom they make an investment in. They have trained them to be hardworking, respectful individuals. This is not always the case with event venues! Many places will spend as little as possible so that they can profit as much as possible. This is not Tom & Peggy. They have a larger staff so that events go off beautifully and flawlessly (all while supporting their local community). So - if you are looking for a gorgeous venue, at a reasonable price, with friendly service, and up-worthy owners, I would highly recommend checking out the Portola Inn in Aascadero, CA. read more

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My boyfriend and I came up to do the Wildflower Century bike ride and stayed in the guest house located in the rear of the property. We loved it. The house is nicely laid out with room to have friends over for meals. The view is gorgeous. It's quiet, private, in the country, yet very close to town. The house has a kitchen with everything you need, a large separate bedroom with a walk-in closet, a large front porch under the oak trees, it sleeps 5. 2 in the bedroom and 3 in the living room. I found it on VRBO. You can't beat the area around Atascadero. It is gorgeous. I plan to return. Soon. read more

I am in the wedding industry in a few different capacities, as my wife owns a catering company and I own a production company which makes wedding films... I've been to a lot of venues in this area and quite a few out of the central coast. It's always a relief as a vendor to know you have a wedding coming up at the Portola Inn because you know exactly what to expect and that is a beautiful location, friendly and helpful staff, and people that care about you having a memorable and great time. I've seen it time and again with couples who get married there... It seems like the venue becomes a part of their experience and what they'll remember. If you're looking to get married or have a lovely get together in Atascadero, you can do no better than the Portola Inn. read more

We hosted my Baby Shower at the Portola Inn in their "Carriage House" banquet room and it was perfect! Tom and Peggy are incredibly gracious hosts and were very accommodating to making sure we had everything we needed the morning of the shower. The Carriage House is beautiful and perfect for hosting a smaller gathering of maybe up to about 50 people. It has a little bar and refrigerator for serving food and drinks for your party, and gorgeous views from inside the venue. They provided linens and place settings for all of our guests, as well as had the stereo system running for playing music during the party. Couldn't have had a more perfect venue for hosting a baby shower, highly recommend! read more

We stayed in the guest suite for 2 nights in October 2018 and had a wonderful stay. Everyone agrees the property is amazingly beautiful and filled with history of this interesting town. The owners were born and raised here and have been thoroughly involved in their town at the highest level. The house is historic as well. The needed modern updates have not altered the feel of this 1930s colony home. The guest suite is large, the bathroom luxurious, and it has it's own private ADA entrance. Peggy graciously and creatively addressed some unique dietary needs and is so well educated in this area, I did not worry a bit. This is a perfect place for a quiet getaway, or a peaceful place for a stay at any time. read more

Tom & Peggy are awesome and give so much to the community. We hosted an event there recently and they went above and beyond to ensure that everything went smoothly. The property is beautiful with lots large shade trees and gorgeous vistas. I would highly recommend the Portola Inn. read more

My husband and I got married at Portola Inn in May 2018. Obviously, it took me a long time to decide whether or not to write this review but I feel it is necessary. The wedding venue itself is really beautiful which is unfortunate because the couple who own and run it, Peggy and Tom O'Malley should NOT be running a wedding venue. Here is a list of everything that we were very unhappy/disappointed with. - In meetings leading up to the wedding I had asked Peggy if the grass in front of their house would be cut and she assured me that it would be (it was VERY VERY long and right where guests were welcomed to the wedding). The day before the wedding it hadn't been cut, when we asked about it Tom said "if I cut it, it won't grow back" (are you kidding me!) - The Porto-potties set up for guests were extremely dirty and hidden with no signs, to where most people could not find them - We had our own self-serve beer bar that my husband set up (he works at a brewery). In order for it to work properly we had to set up the CO2 two hours before guests arrived. In previous meetings with Peggy and Tom, we discussed having a staff member stand by the bar so that no one would drink the beer before the wedding. The day of our wedding my husband had set the whole thing up and Peggy came over and told him he needed to shut it off because no one was allowed to drink before the ceremony! Therefore, once it was time for cocktail hour the beer was completely foamy and barely worked. We were so upset. - At the end of the wedding, when alcohol was shut down, I had 3 separate guests tell me, in the days after the wedding that they saw Tom pouring bottles of OUR opened wine out on the side of the dance room! - In the months after our wedding and after Thank You cards had gone out I had MANY guests reach out asking if we had received their card, to which we had not. I reached out the Tom and Peggy asking if they had possibly been misplaced, they replied saying they didn't have them. I assumed they had been stolen. About a year after our wedding we ran into a couple that had gotten married at Portola Inn 2 weeks after us and said that they had somehow ended up with all our missing cards. They gave them back to Tom and Peggy expecting them to return them to us but of course that never happened. When I brought this to Tom and Peggy's attention they replied "I'm sorry you were unsatisfied with your experience here at Portola Inn" (SERIOUSLY!!) We estimated there to be about $2,000 worth of cash, checks and gift cards in those cards according to what our guests had told us they had gotten us. It was about 10-13 cards. - My husband had accidentally left his really nice North Face jacket at the venue. The next day when my MIL was helping clean up the venue (we were not there) Peggy told her that she had found a North Face jacket and to have us contact her to get it from her. I emailed her within the next couple days to set up a time to come pick up the jacket and she said she never told my MIL about a jacket and that "they don't keep stuff from weddings" as if I was trying to accuse her of stealing it! There were a couple more smaller things that we were upset about, especially after planning the wedding for a year and a half and having about 7 meetings with Peggy. Really a bummer because it is such a beautiful house and venue but Tom and Peggy need to retire and let someone else do the weddings there. read more

Portola Inn is a perfect venue for a wedding or event. We only had 8 weeks to plan our wedding, (crazy, I know) but Peggy, Tom, and my parents were able to make our wedding day beautiful and perfect. Portola Inn has magical Oak trees that rustle in the wind and colorful gardens that add to the already beautiful venue. Growing up in Paso Robles, I always pictured having a wedding under Oak trees and with a view of the rolling hills and Portola Inn has just that! Peggy meets with you before the wedding many times to make sure that every detail is exactly how you want it. Peggy also has decorations that you can pick from included in the price of the venue. We decided to have the rehearsal dinner at the venue and that was a great decision. They allow you to bring in your own caterer and allow you to enjoy your family and friends before your wedding day. This was a very special time for us. Peggy is also the wedding coordinator and helps during the rehearsal. Peggy was very detailed and personable. She knew all of the bridal parties' names before the rehearsal was over. As the bride, the wedding day was relaxing, stress-free and fun because of the preplanning and all of the extra staff that Peggy had at the venue. The staff was willing to answer any questions with smiles on their faces. One of the many highlights of my wedding day was looking up and seeing Peggy holding my sister-in-law's newborn baby so she could enjoy her dinner. Words can't express how happy I was throughout our wedding day! Thank you, Peggy and Tom, for your hard work and your beautiful venue that will forever have a special place in my heart. read more

This was my first time here for a wedding and I will never recommend this place!. The staff was not organized, rude, unprofessional and changed the rules as the night went on. I was embarrassed for the wedding couple . I understand that the local Mayor lives here... read more

I was floored to see a negative comment here about this place. I was hired by a client of theirs to be the Dj for a Wedding Yesterday. I haven't been there prior and it was tucked back in the hills with really a cool long driveway that leads to a multi level property with lots of Oak trees overlooking the whole area. The whole event was awesome, the on-site coordinator did her thing and the Bride and Groom were stoked. The dancing was in a beautiful carriage house, and it was like having your own little nightclub to finish the event. I do over 50+ weddings a year from Palm Springs to San jose and you have to trust your gut, Reviews will only go so far, if you want the estate feel to your event, Portola will rock for you so check it out. Remember, the key to a great wedding is the team of vendors you surround yourself with. read more

My daughter had her wedding and reception here June 14, 2014. It was truly magical. The venue is breathtaking and Peggy and Tom O'Malley are amazing. They made the entire process so easy for me and my daughter. We had a few visits with them prior to the event, Peggy is a true professional. The day of the event couldn't have been more enjoyable for our families. Peggy exceeded our expectations. She and Tom kept the evening flowing--all we had to do was have a great time, and we did. We received so many compliments from our guests..best wedding ever! I would book this venue again in a heartbeat. read more

Just returned from a lovely event at the Portola Inn. Such an incredible historic place on spectacular grounds. A beautiful Spanish Villa on a hilltop surrounded by what seems like acres of gardens and magnificent oaks,set right inside the city. All the staff were incredibly sweet and well informed, from the young men in the parking lot to the woman serving as concierge. It was very nice to know exactly which path to take and know where you are headed. Everyone on staff seemed happy and anxious to help in any way they could. Tom and Peggy go the extra mile to make you feel welcome. Tom gave a fun verbal 'tour' of this special place with humorous highlights of the history, gardens and house. They obviously love this place and are excited to share it with others. read more

Beautiful venue for an event! Tom and Peggy are gracious hosts and full of knowledge about the history of the property and the area.

Wow, what a wonderful Friday afternoon at the Portola Inn. Lunch under the gorgeous shady oaks catered by McGees and topped off with some well-deserved scholarship awards. A true Trifecta Friday. We have visited the Portola Inn for a number of events and each time we find something new and more magical about their gardens and well kept grounds. Tom & Peggy are the perfect hosts and provide an oasis of beauty right in Atascadero. read more

A beautiful gem in the heart of Atascadero. Each time I attend an event here I am in awe of the space and grounds of the Portola Inn. Tom and Peggy, the owners, really invite you in and treat you like family. If you are in the area- stop by- you won't be disappointed. read more

It was fate that we happened upon the Portola Inn while searching for a venue in SLO county. They were our perfect fit with their beautiful property, organized and professional manner, and relaxed vibe. We wanted a venue that had a natural setting, and their gorgeous oak trees and up-kept gardens were more than we could have hoped for. Peggy was truly invaluable throughout the whole process as I was not the most knowledgeable or opinionated bride, and the planning sessions helped us make a lot of progress. Peggy sat with me through all of the details and her flexibility on the details I couldn't get narrowed down until the end was a blessing. Peggy also provided a list of recommended vendors from the beginning, which made my job of vetting vendors much easier and saved me a lot of stress. On the day of, Peggy and Tom coordinated seamlessly with all of our vendors and our 130 guests to make it a perfect day. In all, I couldn't have hoped for a more helpful and kind couple to help us have the best day of our lives. Thank you so much! read more

I can't even give this venue one star but I had to or I could not post. The owners of this place should be put out of business. I attended a wedding where the owners made the guests feel like unwanted company. Make sure you read your contract carefully. Especially anything to do with your beer and wine and who will be serving it and if you need a license to have it!!!! They have porta pottys that were not clean and were disgusting. DO NOT let them tell you the guests can use any restroom except the porta pottys because that is false. They explained their plumbing is bad? The toilet in the bride and grooms room overflowed. They gave a last call for drinks 90 minutes prior to the end of the wedding. They hid the beer in their house and when it was seen by guests renting a room there and put back outside they stopped the wedding turning on the lights, stopping the music and screaming into their microphone that if the beer was not returned they would stop the reception...REALLY!!!. the dj stopped as everybody just stood there. the bride in tears!!!They ruined the flow of the wedding as they had their 20 minute tantrum over the beer being removed from the house by a guest that was staying in their house people started to leave and go outside. It was beyond anything I had ever witnessed at a wedding. Besides the fact that all the beer and wine belonged to the bride and groom. The O'Malleys felt the need to hide it?????They walk thru your wedding with walkie talkies & clipboards like it is a military drill instead of a wedding.They threatened a guest they would call the police because he was smoking in the driveway and not in the smoking section. We put a bottle of wine on each table at dinner and the drill sargent came by and removed every one. They got into an argument with a guest for turning on the heater in the dance room as it was cold and starting to rain.The day before it was 104 so nobody was dressed for cold weather. A guest fell at the beginning on uneven pavement breaking her glasses, splitting her lip and scraping her knees. Not friendly for any type of handicapped access. A guest that rented a room at venue for the night was locked out of their room and had to wake up the wedding couple at 2am to get in. I am so shocked at the owners behavior. they advertise for weddings...this was the happiest day of my daughters life and these people stopped the wedding and put her in tears...over what? BEER! Are you kidding! The owners are horrible and should not be renting this out for weddings. Maybe other partys would be ok but a wedding is a special day for two people and their family and friends. These owners should be ashamed of their selves!!!! read more

My husband and I got married here in July of 2013. It was the best decision we made in terms of ANY wedding vendor. It's so intimate and magical to spend your entire weekend at the Portola Inn. The rooms are beautiful and a hundred times better than generic hotel rooms. Peggy was completely invaluable during the wedding and beforehand. We would have been lost without her. She made sure everything ran smoothly and she's so sweet! Her home made breakfast's (made from their home grown veggies/fruit) were also delicious! Of course, the space is beautiful and being up on your own personal hill makes it feel as if this is truly YOUR day. The outside space is so gorgeous and the inside space worked perfectly for dancing. There are so many little details to take advantage of and the fact that Tom and Peggy offered so much, such as the table clothes, chairs, tables, and even vases and etc. if you need them, means that you have so little else to worry about. Loved our wedding day and now we have a sweet spot for future anniversaries. :) Thank you both so much! read more

My husband and I had our wedding at the Portola in back in July and it was absolutely magical! Tom and Peggy were so accomodating and easy to work with! Not only did they have an absolutely beautiful venue, but Peggy acted as our day of wedding coordinator and helped us out several times throughout the entire planning process. When my fiance and I just went to look at the venue for the first time they asked us who we were trying to get for some of our vendors and Tom made the call to the caterer right then and there for us because he had them on speed dial!! Every vendor that they recommended was great! They had ample staff to help the day of the wedding and everyone was ultra professional and easy to work with. In the fee for the venue it also included tables, chairs and linens for up to 200 guests! I loved that myself and all of my bridesmaids and their husbands were able to stay at the venue the night before and the night of the wedding - it made everything so convenient! Plus, given that it was a bed and breakfast Peggy cooked us a delicious breakfast of local pork and apple sausage and amazing apricot french toast with apricots from their own trees! The thing I liked the best is that on the day of the wedding I was able to sit back and relax because I knew that tom and peggy and their staff had everything taken care of which is exactly what I was looking for. I would definitely recommend the Portola Inn to anyone looking for a wedding venue or a place to hold a party. read more

We recently had our wedding at the Portola Inn and absolutely could not be happier! From our first meeting at the venue we knew we had made the right choice. The location managers (Tom and Peggy) were 100% helpful and attentive, truly caring about helping us to make our wedding everything we ever wanted. With the Portola Inn, you really do get an amazing venue AND professional planners. I know many brides that do not get to relax and enjoy their wedding day. However, I got to really enjoy the party because Tom and Peggy took care of EVERYTHING!! From tables/chairs, to set up, to coordinating with all my vendors, to keeping the day on schedule, all the way to clean up. I really can't rave about the Portola Inn enough! We researched TONS of locations searching for the most beautiful, fun, and best value and I am confident that we found it in the Portola Inn. Both my husband and I look back on our wedding day with one word: Perfect :) read more

Really shocked to find more negative than positive comments on here. Not reflective of my experience with the O'Malley's at all. This is a local B&B that runs weddings on the weekend. My husband & I had a wonderful experience getting married at the Portola Inn. The views are spectacular and we couldn't imagine getting married anywhere else than under their oaks. As a wedding venue you get the B&B rooms included in the price and we had so much fun getting to stay with the bridal party that weekend. Peggy does all the coordinating on the day of, and was perfect for our small wedding of 60+ people. They had forewarned us that they've had bad experiences in the past with groups bring in hard liquor and being disruptive (this is their house and neighbors still), but they had no problem letting us have beer and wine at the wedding. I'd totally do it over again in a heart beat and would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a cozy, historical or outdoor wedding venue. read more