A wedding venue and restaurant in Pismo Beach, Ventana Grill, will close on September 12 following a court ruling that raised safety concerns about the property, which is situated on a cliff. The closure comes after a legal dispute between the venue's owners and the property owners, who claim the site may slide into the ocean, according to the Fresno Bee.
Ventana Grill, which opened in April 2010, is known for its views of the Pacific Ocean. The abrupt closure has affected couples who had planned to hold their weddings at the venue, prompting them to seek alternative arrangements. A user on Nextdoor reported that the restaurant is assisting customers in finding new venues for their weddings.
Court documents indicate that on August 27, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Craig van Rooyen issued an order prohibiting the restaurant from operating or occupying the cliffside building. The Old Custom House Inc., which owns Ventana Grill, operates several other businesses in the area, including The Custom House and Mr. Rick’s in Avila Beach.
The property owners, referred to as CCC in court documents, allege that the venue is unsafe, while the venue's owners contend that the claims are an attempt to force them off the property. In a complaint filed in August 2025, The Old Custom House accused the property owners of breaching their lease agreement by demanding they vacate.
The property owners countered with allegations of bad faith, claiming that the venue's owners were disregarding safety concerns. Their legal filings included assessments from geotechnical experts indicating significant stability issues with the property. In May, CCC filed for a preliminary injunction to close the restaurant, which was granted in late August. The injunction is scheduled to take effect on September 18, with a court hearing set for October 22.