About Us
Family Business
The Dana Powers House and Barn is a family-run wedding venue north of Santa Barbara on the central coast of California. Nestled in the rolling hills of southern San Luis Obispo County, our home and barn are two separate and unique venues providing a full complement of inviting indoor and open-air possibilities for your event. The spaces can be enjoyed separately or in conjunction with one another. Our mild and temperate climate provides a comfortable coastal influence for guests to enjoy all year long.
Blending country elegance with a sophisticated flair, our charming venues allow couples to host intimate private celebrations for family and friends.
Who We Are
As a young girl, I would accompany my mother as she collected, refurbished and restyled her finds to create a beautiful home for our family; for me, it has been a lifetime of appreciating the vintage look.
My passion has always been my home and garden, an 1882 Country Victorian that has been in my family since it was built by my great-grandfather, Frank Dana and where I was born and grew up. I have been collecting unique and special finds over the years, everything from rusty and chippy pieces to crystal chandeliers, vintage linens, china, garden things and old silver; I love it all!
Judy Powers
Why Us
The Dana Powers House offers a Wedding Ceremony Venue, Wedding Reception Venue, Event Venue and Rustic Barn Venue on the beautiful Central Coast of California.
Those seeking to have a wedding or special event near Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Paso Robles, or San Luis Obispo areas have, for years, enjoyed this family-owned and operated Victorian home as their venue of choice for special occasions. Events are hosted by Judi Powers–known as the Central Coast’s Queen of Hospitality–and her family.
Our Venues
There are two venues to choose from at Dana Powers House: the Victorian-style house and the charming rustic barn. They are booked separately. The gardens encompass a full acre surrounding the house, and include areas for the ceremony, an area for reception and hors d’ouvres which quickly breaks down to accommodate dancing, and a large lawn area for dining. Photography options are nearly limitless, as the gardens have been planned with each season in mind, and are beautifully maintained no matter what time of the year.
The barn is an original late-1800’s barn with ceremony site, bride’s dressing room, kitchen, bar and full restroom facilities.
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Our History
The Dana-Powers house, built in 1882, stands on a portion of the historic 37,888-acre Rancho Nipomo (from the Chumash Indian word Nepomah, meaning “at the foot of the hills”) A private residence, it has been home to six generations of Danas, beginning with Frank, who built the comfortable home on 1200 acres of land given to him by his father William Goodwin Dana. Frank and his wife Justina, were succeeded as residents by their son George, who lived in the home until his death at the age of 96. It is George’s rose garden and Avocado orchards that are now tended by his granddaughter Judith Dana-Powers, who acquired the property after George’s death in 1972. Judi’s own grandchildren now call the ranch their home, as well.
The patriarch of the Dana Family, William Goodwin Dana, was a sea captain from Boston who traveled to China, the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) and later to the California Coast, as Master of the Brig Waverly. (It was his first cousin, Richard Henry Dana who wrote the maritime novel, ‘Two Years before The Mast.’) In 1828 Captain Dana married Senorita Maria Josefa Carrillo, daughter of Don Carlos Antonio Carrillo, a prominent citizen of the presidio of Santa Barbara who later became governor of Alta California. In 1835 William Dana became a naturalized Citizen of Mexico and served his new country first as Captain of the Port of Santa Barbara, and later as Alcalde. He was granted Rancho Nipomo in 1837.
Captain Dana and Maria Josefa remained in Santa Barbara until 1839, then moved north to their rancho and built an adobe home overlooking the valley and rolling hills beyond. La Casa de Dana grew as the family grew (Maria Josefa bore 21 children, 13 of whom survived to adulthood) and was a welcome stopover for people traveling between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. The Danas were known for their generous hospitality and lavish fiestas. Those traditions— steeped in the rich history of the California ranchos, were passed down through the generations to the couple’s great- great granddaughter Judith Dana-Powers, who now lives and entertains in the home.
Visit Us
We would be delighted to give you a personal tour of our property and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today for an appointment.