Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Premier Wedding & Retreat Venue in Soquel, CA
Founded in 1946 as a world-renowned children's camp, Kennolyn Events expanded its legacy in 1995 to offer immersive wedding retreats and special events. Our 450-acre property in the Santa Cruz Mountains combines natural beauty with modern amenities, providing two distinct venuesStone Creek Village and Hilltop Hacienda. As a family-owned business, we prioritize personalized service, sustainability, and creating unforgettable experiences. Our team of seasoned professionals ensures every event reflects the unique vision of our clients. With decades of expertise, we blend rustic charm with luxury, offering all-inclusive packages tailored to adventurous couples and corporate groups alike.Our commitment to excellence extends to locally sourced cuisine, recreational activities, and seamless coordination. From intimate ceremonies to large celebrations, we strive to foster community and lasting memories. Our deep-rooted connection to the land and dedication to guest satisfaction make Kennolyn Events a trusted choice for milestone events. We continuously evolve while honoring our founders' vision of creating meaningful connections through exceptional experiences.
Services
Wedding Venues
Retreat Planning
Event Coordination
Catering Services
Accommodations
Outdoor Activities
Corporate Events
Rehearsal Dinners
Private Parties
Custom Packages
Details
- Year established: 1946
Highlights and features
- We offer family-owned expertise since 1946 with personalized event planning.
- Our two unique venues accommodate weddings and retreats of all sizes.
- All-inclusive packages feature locally sourced cuisine and recreational amenities.
- We provide dedicated event coordination from planning to execution.
- Our sustainable practices preserve natural beauty while offering modern comforts.
What people say
Unforgettable experiences
Attentive staff
Scenic beauty
Seamless planning
Locally sourced cuisine
Services
Weekend Wedding Retreat
The Weekend Wedding Retreat at Stone Creek Village offers an immersive celebration with cozy cabins, outdoor activities, and all-inclusive amenities. Our team handles every detail, from ceremony setup to customized menus, ensuring guest comfort. The package includes exclusive venue access, recreational facilities, and professional coordination for a stress-free experience.
Hilltop Hacienda Wedding
Hilltop Hacienda provides a Spanish-style venue with redwood vistas and mid-century charm for weddings up to 300 guests. Services include venue styling, gourmet dining, and dedicated preparation spaces. The package features ceremony/reception coordination, premium dcor, and flexible timing to create a personalized celebration in a scenic coastal setting.
Soire on the Hill
Soire on the Hill offers a reception-only package at Hilltop Hacienda for rehearsal dinners or parties. Includes exclusive venue use, unlimited beverages, appetizers, and food stations. Our team provides setup, dcor, and service staff to ensure an elegant, hassle-free event with customizable options for any occasion.
Corporate Retreats
Corporate retreats combine strategic planning with team-building in a natural setting. Services include meeting spaces, customized meals, lodging, and recreational activities. Our all-inclusive packages support multi-day workshops or single-day meetings, fostering collaboration and creativity away from traditional conference environments.
Event Planning
Full-service event planning covers venue selection, vendor management, timeline creation, and day-of execution. Our coordinators provide consultations, vendor recommendations, and personalized guidance to align with client visions. Services range from partial planning to comprehensive management for weddings and corporate functions.
People
Pam Caldwell Nootbaar
Owner
Pam has led Kennolyn Events since 1995, expanding its legacy from a children's camp to include weddings and retreats. She oversees operations and strategic growth while maintaining the family's commitment to excellence.
Lindsey Caldwell Johnson
Camp Director
Lindsey manages the Overnight Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains, ensuring programs align with Kennolyn Events's educational and recreational values. She brings decades of experience in youth development and camp operations.
Andrew Townsend
General Manager
Andrew has served Kennolyn Events for over 35 years, progressing from Camp Storekeeper to General Manager. He oversees all operations, ensuring seamless execution of events and camp programs while mentoring staff.
Max Caldwell
Founder
Max co-founded Kennolyn Events in 1946, establishing its reputation as a premier children's camp. His vision for connecting people with nature laid the foundation for the business's expansion into events.
Marion Caldwell
Founder
Marion co-founded Kennolyn Events with Max Caldwell, shaping its mission to create impactful experiences for children and families. Her legacy continues through the family's stewardship of the property and values.
Questions
What wedding packages do you offer?
We offer three packages: Weekend Wedding Retreat at Stone Creek Village ($25,000 | +$178/person), Hilltop Hacienda Wedding Day ($17,500 | +$178/person), and Soire on the Hill reception ($10,000 | +$99/person).
What is included in the Weekend Wedding Retreat?
Exclusive weekend venue access, lodging for guests, recreational facilities, professional coordination, private tasting, and customizable add-ons like trapeze or movie nights.
Can Hilltop Hacienda accommodate large weddings?
Yes, Hilltop Hacienda hosts up to 300 guests with Spanish-style architecture, redwood vistas, and amenities including ceremony/reception spaces and gourmet dining.
Do you offer corporate retreat services?
Yes, we provide all-inclusive corporate retreats with meeting spaces, lodging, meals, and team-building activities. Our packages support multi-day workshops or single-day strategic sessions.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Soquel, CA, and the San Francisco Bay Area, located 45 minutes from the Bay Area and near Highway 1.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 12-18 months ahead for weekends, especially during peak seasons. Contact us for availability and planning assistance.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Sabrina Thompson
Jun 28, 2022
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We started going to Kennolyn last year in 2021. My children at the time 13,11,8 all enjoyed Kennolyn so much that every day I picked them up they were arguing who gets to tell mom how their day was first. Do you know how hard it is to find one camp that all 3 kids and different ages would enjoy?!.This year my 12 and 9 year old went, and again they love the Kennolyn experience!. my 9 year old says he wants to send his children here when they are older and my 12 year old wishes we knew about Kennolyn when they were even younger. Thank you Kennolyn for wonderful childhood memories for many more years!
James Mackey
May 30, 2022
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Very beautiful, great staff. Trails around village is spectacular. I dont think anything could have been done any better. I will remember our visit and will talk about our 3 day there for the rest of my life.
Christian K.
May 16, 2022
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We had our wedding at Kennolyn (Stone Creek Village) in May 2022 and it was absolutely magical. We wanted a wedding that was unique, active, outdoors, and gave us tons of time to hang out with our guests, and Kennolyn was the perfect venue to make it happen! Great: THE REDWOODS (insanely pretty site for ceremony), location (close to airports), weather, activities, cabins (hotel quality, unbeatable location), service from the Kennolyn staff on-site (need a fridge for breast milk? no problem! carrying bags? they'll ask to help!), late-night stuff (they make you go inside after 10pm but we had huge speakers in there and were blasting music until late with no problems), flexibility around food and late-night food we wanted Good/okay: price (the pool and ropes course are add-ons), food, recommended DJ vendor (Sound in Motion), but granted he basically just only used song from our suggestions Meh: communication pre-wedding, really felt like we had to pull information out of the Kennolyn team (very little proactive outreach from our coordinator), but granted we are super Type-A haha
Annabella Billante
Apr 21, 2022
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Last year was my very first year at Kennolyn. Everyone was so welcoming, the activities were great, and I made a lot of friends! Highly recommend this camp.
Tom Donovan
Feb 01, 2022
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I enjoyed many years creating hand painted signs for Kennolyn Camp contributing to the Old West theme for young people, who are our future to experience
Turboca Sc
Apr 14, 2021
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Kennolyn is everything a summer camp should be. They have all the activities you'd expect and many more. The owners and Sr. staff are stable and they do such a good job of hiring exceptional college students to be counselors. My daughter grows so much each summer during the weeks she is at camp. Her manners improve, her ability and willingness to help around the house improves, and her self-efficacy is noticeably boosted. And the best part is that she has no idea that Kennolyn is teaching her so much- she's just having fun.
A. Google User
Mar 14, 2021
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I have gone to kennolyn for 3 year sand look forward to it every year. The staff are so nice and accommodating. I am a picky eater but they always make sure I have things to eat. All the activities are great and safe even with possibly dangerous things like archery. I have never gotten homesick all four times I have went most times I don't want to go home. I have made great friends that I still keep in contact with even months after camp.
All the counselors are so nice and helpful. Outpost is always great you may not sleep the best but you're in the woods : They make special dietary meals like vegan, gluten free, and diary free meals. I highly suggest Kennolyn.
All the counselors are so nice and helpful. Outpost is always great you may not sleep the best but you're in the woods : They make special dietary meals like vegan, gluten free, and diary free meals. I highly suggest Kennolyn.
