Updated: 5/10/2014 
Casa Romantica Cultural Center & Gardens
San Clemente, California
Description

Perched on a bluff overseeing the historic San Clemente Pier, the magnificent Casa is a living demonstration of California history, culture and ecology – a showplace for the entire region. Casa Romantica is a genuine part of California, not a commercial re-creation. In an era when we seek connection, the Casa is tangible – a way to share in the experiences of other times, cultures, and people – and through that to learn more about our world. Come and enjoy everything this spectacular estate and performance venue has to offer.

Mission

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and is the historic home of the founder of the City of San Clemente. Casa Romantica provides programs for all ages in arts, music, history, horticulture and literature and is a premier Southern California cultural center.

History

San Clemente is one of the first master-planned cities in California. Co-founder Ole Hanson came to the site to create his ideal community, a “Spanish Village by the Sea.” In 1927, Hanson built the Casa Romantica as his family home, and expression of his version of the California dream. The seven-bedroom, seven-bath house was designed by Carl Lindbom, who also designed La Casa Pacifica (the former Western White House).

Over the years, the house passed through various owners until Lambert and Patricia Schuyler (pronounced Skyler) bought the property in 1946 and named it Casa Romantica. The ex- Mrs. Fred Waring (of orchestra fame) purchased the home in 1952. Four years later, Mrs. Waring sold the home to Muriel and Leslie Whitehouse, who named it Casa Blanca after their name. In 1960 the property began a new life, and was operated as a senior citizens’ home until 1984 by George and Louise Welsh, who renamed it Casa Romantica.

From 1984 until 2000, the Casa was leased to a private business for special events. The San Clemente Redevelopment Agency purchased the property from the Welsh Family Partnership in 1989. Casa Romantica was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1991.

Services
For Very Special Events

Casa Romantica is Southern California’s most exquisite bluff-top estate. With its spectacular views of the beautiful Pacific and its stunning architecture, Casa Romantica provides the perfect venue for weddings and private gatherings. Casa Romantica’s highly experienced staff will ensure that your event runs smoothly, allowing you and your guests to enjoy every moment of your special occasion in the privacy and beauty of the enchanting Casa Romantica house and gardens.

Casa Romantica is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Site fees for your wedding or private event helps Casa Romantica sustain its year-round calendar of cultural and educational programs for the community.

On the Weddings/Special events Information Sheet you will find answers to frequently asked questions, our current rate sheet, and our approved vendor list. Also included is information on local accommodation for out-of-town guests and directions to Casa Romantica. The vendors on the approved vendor list have an established relationship with Casa Romantica and have been expressly chosen for their quality of service. We also have recommendations for other vendors from photography to music, to wedding cakes – please ask us for the information you need and we will be happy to help you.

Please Join Us in Supporting Our Community

As we embark on the Casa Captivating season and increase programming, ticket sales only cover a small percentage of the Casa’s budget, which means we must raise over $1 million annually to provide these programs for children and community members. That’s why your donations are vital to our mission and future well-being.

Casa Romantica Annual Memberships provide members free year round admission, special member pricing for events and programs, and an invitation to the annual 4th of July celebration.

DISCLAIMER
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 27 - April 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

TBA

Independence, Oregon

Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism

Check our website for more details in early 2025

The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

October 1 - October 4, 2025

Western Museums Association’s (WMA) 2025 Annual Meeting

TBA

Reno, Nevada

Save the Date for WMA 202

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, join us to build relationships and soar higher than ever before. With the theme of ELEVATE, WMA 2025 will explore ways to lift up the experiences of cultural professionals and the communities they serve.

In Reno, Nevada, 4,400 feet above sea level, we will forward the progress of museums by looking to the future.

May 6 - May 9, 2025

2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

AAM 2025 will focus on the theme, Museums & Trust.

Museums have long inspired high levels of public trust, surpassing news outlets, government organizations, researchers and scientists, corporations, and social media platforms. This consistent finding underscores our institutions’ unique position in society as stewards of knowledge, culture, science, and history—areas where credibility and reliability are paramount

In an era marked by mistrust and misinformation, museums have a rare ability to counterbalance the proliferation of false narratives and polarized perspectives. Using our trusted position, we can cultivate a more healthy, empathetic, and informed society.

But to do so, we must maintain our credibility proactively, embracing thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative practices that will defend against influences like bias, resource challenges, abuse of power, and social injustice

An Incredible MuseumExpo

AAM is again partnering this year with the Museum Store Association to host an incredible combined expo hall. Find the most innovative services, products, and solutions in the museum field. With 350 exhibitors, you are bound to find the right partner for your museum’s current challenges and opportunities.

May 5 - May 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

Join MSA in LA

We’re excited about our next MSA FORWARD Conference & Expo in “The City of Angels” – Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the American Alliance of Museums

Join the Museum Store Association (MSA) and hundreds of nonprofit retail professionals for the 70th Annual MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo, taking place May 5-9, 2025 at The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Once again, MSA FORWARD will be held in conjunction with the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo

Learn best practices and new ideas for store merchandising, operations, marketing, and sale

Participate in dedicated networking events and create connections that will inspire new ideas

Meet with over 200 MSA vendors about your product needs

Hear from knowledgeable industry experts during session breakouts and keynote presentations

Network with AAM attendees and exhibitor

September 10 - September 13, 2025

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email info@aaslh.org.

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