Northern California Elopement Guide

As the #1 most visited state in the United States, California is undoubtedly one of the most popular places to elope. Known for its sunny weather and diversity of landscapes, it's a place where you can go from redwoods to coast, from big city to small town all within a matter of hours. Having lived in California all my life, I've spent years exploring all the different parts of the state, from road tripping down Highway 1 to Big Sur, to camping in Yosemite in the snow, to finding hidden gems dotted throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. It's that passion and love for the outdoors that has brought me to specializing as a Northern California elopement photographer - that plus my obsessive love of planning and many Google Sheets. So if you're thinking about eloping, here's everything you need to know on where to elope and how to plan an elopement in Northern California!

Best Places to Elope in Northern California

Where exactly is Northern California?
And why does it look like it should actually be called Central California? For those local to California, you will likely consider Northern California to be the area centered around the San Francisco Bay Area. After all, the hotly debated topic of NorCal vs. SoCal is often centered around the major cities of San Francisco vs. Los Angeles. For the sake of this guide, Northern California will be focused on the region between Monterey County to the south and Sonoma County to the north. Yes, there are also plenty of places to elope north of this area, like the Mendocino coast or Humboldt redwoods - but that would need a whole other guide to cover. 
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Where can I elope in Northern California?
​Did you know that California holds the records for both the most state parks (280!) and most national parks (9) in the US? Most parks allow elopements (and sometimes weddings) with a special event permit. Alternatively, you could choose to elope at a private place, like a hotel, B&B, or venue. These places are typically more suited for intimate weddings with guests, but some may offer elopement packages as well.
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Eloping at a Park

• Best for unique views from the coast to the beach to the mountains
• Permits typically cost $300-$500
• Public ceremony
• Requires planning ahead and hiring vendors

Eloping at a Hotel/B&B/Venue

• Best for all-inclusive experience and easy planning
• Packages typically cost $500-2000
• Private ceremony
• Often include packages with all vendors included

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​While each has its own pros and cons, for most couples, the choice is easy. California is a place of incredibly diverse landscapes, and best way to experience them is to get out there!
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Hint: View this post on your desktop if you want to sort by location or landscape!

Name	Location click to sort	Landscape click to sort
Pfeiffer Beach	Central Coast	Beach
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park	Central Coast	Redwoods
Garrapata State Park	Central Coast	Coast / Beach
Carmel River State Beach	Central Coast	Beach
Asilomar State Beach	Central Coast	Beach
Seascape Park Beach	Central Coast	Beach
Henry Cowell State Park	Central Coast	Redwoods
Coast Dairies State Park	Central Coast	Coast / Beach
Big Basin State Park	San Francisco Bay Area	Redwoods
Portola Redwoods State Park	San Francisco Bay Area	Redwoods
Bean Hollow State Beach	San Francisco Bay Area	Beach
San Gregorio State Beach	San Francisco Bay Area	Beach
Gray Whale Cove State Beach	San Francisco Bay Area	Beach
Joaquin Miller Park	San Francisco Bay Area	Redwoods
Golden Gate National Recreation Area	San Francisco Bay Area	Coast / Beach
Mt. Tamalpais State Park	San Francisco Bay Area	Mountains
Muir Woods National Monument	San Francisco Bay Area	Redwoods
Point Reyes National Seashore	North Bay	Coast / Beach
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve	North Bay	Redwoods
Sonoma Coast State Park	North Bay	Coast / Beach
Yosemite National Park	Sierra Nevada	Mountains
Sequoia & King's Canyon National Park	Sierra Nevada	Mountains
Mammoth Lakes	Sierra Nevada	Mountains
Sand Harbor	Sierra Nevada	Beach
Emerald Bay State Park	Sierra Nevada	Mountains
Donner Memorial State Park	Sierra Nevada	Mountains

Phew, that list was long, wasn't it? And it doesn't even come close to covering all the places where you could elope! Here's a breakdown of some of the best places to elope in Northern California.

Big Sur Elopement

Check out Big Sur elopement examples: Haley + Brian, Nick + Taylor, David + Maddie, Katiana + Jamie
Best known for: Redwood groves, rugged coast, and rocky beaches
Where to stay: Glen Oaks Big Sur (cabins), Ventana Big Sur (glamping and luxury resort), Post Ranch Inn (luxury hotel and treehouses)
Where to eat: Nepenthe ($$$), Big Sur Bakery ($$)
Weather: Highs from 60-80°F and lows from 40-50°F, most rain from December to March
What you should know: 

• Big Sur is not one specific spot - it's a region that doesn't have a particular start or end point, making it one of the best road trip drives. From one end to another, you'll be amazed at the views just from Highway 1. Expect to drive 20-30 minutes to get from the redwoods to the coast.
• There are limited amenities in the the town of Big Sur given its remote location. If looking to stay closer to amenities, Monterey and Carmel are about 45-60 minutes away.
• If you are adventurous, you will especially love the Big Sur coast! It is arguably the most famous coastline in California. There are still plenty of beautiful views for the less adventurous couples, but adjust your expectations accordingly.
• If you have guests, getting married in Big Sur can get expensive even when planning a small wedding. Getting a permit at a state park is one of the most affordable ways to get married in Big Sur, but it may not be best for older guests or larger groups. Site fees and intimate wedding packages typically range from $2000-7000.
• There's very limited cell service so you can enjoy the views without distraction! Make sure to iron out all the details beforehand, as navigating the area can be tricky.

Check out the Big Sur Elopement Guide for more planning help!

Santa Cruz elopement

Check out Santa Cruz elopement examples: Katelind + Gustavo, Jessica + Peter, Jennifer + Pravin
Best known for: Old growth redwoods, cliffside coast, and rocky beaches
Where to stay: A-Frame (Airbnb), Treehouse (Airbnb), Treehouse (glamping), Fern River Resort (cabins)
Where to eat: Zoccoli's Deli ($), Lillian's Italian Kitchen ($$), Shadowbrook ($$$)
Weather: Highs from 60-80°F and lows from 40-50°F, most rain from December to March
What you should know: 

• Only 5% of old-growth coastal redwoods remain, most of which are found in the Humboldt region of California. If you don't want to make the much longer road trip up north, Santa Cruz is one of the best places to see old-growth redwoods.
• Santa Cruz is a small city but has a vibrant arts and culture scene. Its downtown area is full of local businesses like Verve Coffee and Penny Ice Creamery.
• If you have guests, it's a great alternative to Big Sur as there's a plenty of redwood venues. Many offer intimate wedding options on weekdays.
• While Santa Cruz is considered a beach town, the best coastal views are about a 20-30 minute drive from town. These beaches are a bit trickier to get to, but definitely worth the climb!

Check out the Santa Cruz Elopement Guide for more planning help!

Half Moon Bay Elopement

Check out Half Moon Bay elopement examples: Kali + Clinton, Audrey + Clinton​, Rebecca + Chris
Best known for: Cypress tree forests, cliffside coast, and sandy beaches
Where to stay: Airstream (Airbnb), Airstream (Airbnb), Studio (Airbnb), Penthouse (Airbnb), Beach Bungalow (Airbnb), Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay (luxury hotel)
Where to eat: Flying Fish & Grill ($$), Barbara's Fish Trap ($$)
Weather: Highs from 60-70°F and lows from 40-50°F, most rain from December to March
What you should know: 

• Half Moon Bay has one of the best peaceful slow coastal living vibes. It's an easy coastal getaway from the major San Francisco Bay Area cities surrounding it (though sometimes the traffic can be a pain). ​​Being right on the coast, surfing and fishing are popular activities in the area.
• There are redwood forests in the area, but expect to drive 30-60 minutes from redwoods to coast as most redwoods are farther inland and require driving through windy narrow roads.

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Oakland Elopement

Check out Oakland elopement examples: Katie + Peter, Julie + Luke
Best known for: Accessible redwood groves
Where to stay: Luxury Cottage (Airbnb), Scandinavian Guesthouse (Airbnb), Apartment (Airbnb), Berkeley City Club (historic hotel)
Where to eat: The Cheeseboard Collective ($), Homeroom ($$), Wood Tavern ($$$), Commis ($$$$)
Weather: Highs from 60-80°F and lows from 50-60°F, most rain from December to March
What you should know: 

• When you think redwoods, you might not think Oakland, but this city has a surprising number of redwood forests just 20 minutes outside of San Francisco! It's often a favorite for Bay Area locals due to its close proximity. If you're looking for old growth redwoods, check out Muir Woods 40 minutes north of San Francisco.
• Many of the redwood trails have both hiking and biking paths, which means they are much flatter compared to other redwood trails that might require hiking uphill. With much more open space, it's a great option for those who don't want to worry about hiking in wedding clothes.

Check out the California Redwoods Guide for more planning help!

San Francisco Elopement

Check out San Francisco elopement examples: Janelle + Eduard, Anya + Ramsey, Laura + Chris, Jacqui + Dennis, Kat + Jason
Best known for: Golden Gate Bridge, city views, architectural buildings, coast and beaches
Where to stay: Modern Suite (Airbnb), Cavallo Point Lodge (30 min from city), Bird's Nest Bungalow (Japanese style Airbnb 1 hr from city)
Where to eat: Tartine Bakery ($$), Brenda's French Soul Food ($$), State Bird Provisions ($$$), Foreign Cinema ($$$), Gary Danko ($$$$)
Weather: Highs from 60-70°F and lows from 40-50°F, most rain from December to March
What you should know:

• If you're looking for variety, San Francisco is the place to go. It's one of the few places where you can go from being in the city with some of the best restaurants and cultural icons within reach to escaping into nature with trees and coastal views surrounding you.
• San Francisco is known for its fog especially from June through August, affectionately named Karl the Fog by locals. Oftentimes the fog will obscure the Golden Gate Bridge, so be sure to stay a few days if it's on your must-see list!
• Driving and parking is a struggle in the city, so your best bet is to use ride sharing companies to get around.

Check out the San Francisco Elopement Guide for more planning help!

Yosemite Elopement

Best known for: Epic mountains, sequoia trees, and waterfalls
Where to stay: Ahwahnee Hotel, Curry Village (tent cabins), Evergreen Lodge (40 min from park), Autocamp (Airstream 1 hr from park)
Where to eat: The Ahwahnee Dining Room ($$$)
Weather: Highs from 50-90°F and lows from 20-50°F, most rain from December to March and snow from November to April
What you should know: 

• Glacier and Taft Point are some of the most Instagram famous views, but the road to get there is typically closed in November and reopens between April and June. You can check the historical reopening dates for Glacier Point Road on the NPS website. (Glacier Point Road will also be closed in 2022 for renovation.)
• Having become a very popular destination for elopements especially from 2020, you will likely not be the only one there trying to get photos in front of famous landmarks. Hike up early for sunrise for your best chance of avoiding the crowds!
• Plan ahead of time to get a permit to get married in Yosemite - these permits can be backlogged and can sometimes take months to get.
• Expect to pay more for vendors travelling in to Yosemite, even for California based vendors. Vendors based in larger cities like Sacramento and San Francisco may still be 3-4 hours away, and accommodations are often limited in the park.

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Lake Tahoe Elopement

Best known for: Snowy mountains and lakeside views
Where to stay: Tahoe Pines Treehouse (Airbnb), Judge Peek Cabin (Airbnb), Little Black Cabin (Airbnb), Tahoe City Getaway (Airbnb)
Where to eat: Base Camp Pizza ($$), MacDuff's Pub ($$), Kalani's ($$$)
Weather: Highs from 40-80°F and lows from 15-40°F, most rain from December to March and snow from November to May
What you should know:

• Lake Tahoe is made up of two major areas - north and south. North Lake Tahoe is much quieter, whereas South Lake Tahoe has an active nightlife similar to Las Vegas. It's about a 1 hour drive from one end to the other.
• Because it borders California and Nevada, make sure you follow the correct marriage license laws of the state where you are planning to get married in.

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Northern California Elopement Venues

Check out California elopement examples: Shana + Gilbert, Fena + Evan
Best known for: Private and accessible ceremony and/or reception space
Where to stay: Onsite or nearby hotel
What you should know:

• If you're planning to have guests, you may want to consider booking a private space! Private elopement spaces typically fall in one of two categories 1) Hotel/B&B/Airbnb or 2) Wedding Venue. The primary advantage of hotels, B&Bs, and Airbnbs is that you can stay onsite, making it convenient to get ready, elope, and even have an intimate dinner all in one place. Your guests may also be able to stay onsite as well. While most wedding venues primarily serve larger size events, there's a handful of wedding venues that offer intimate weddings on weekdays.
• If you're not planning on having guests, you may still be interested in booking a hotel/B&B/Airbnb that offers elopement packages! Some may offer all-inclusive elopement packages, and others may offer minimal site fees for your to have your ceremony onsite. The primary advantages are that you can have your own space without worrying about crowds, and sometimes the process can be easier as you don't have to worry about getting permits.

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How to Elope in Northern California

First of all, it's important to know how to get legally married in California! Here's what you'll need:

• MARRIAGE LICENSE: You'll need to get a marriage license in the state. This can be from any county clerk office - it doesn't have to be one you live in or even one that you're getting married in. However, most will require you to attend the appointment in-person. Due to COVID-19, many county clerk offices are currently offering virtual appointments. Don't get your appointment too early or too late though - marriage licenses must be obtained within 90 days of your wedding date.
• OFFICIANT + WITNESS: You will need an officiant, and at least one witness on the day of your ceremony to sign your marriage license (the only exception to not having a witness is if you apply for a confidential marriage license, which requires meeting certain qualifications). If you don't have anyone in mind, no worries! To make things easy, my elopement packages include an officiant add-on option by my husband, and I'm always happy to sign as a witness.

Then the fun part - crafting your dream elopement day!

1. PLAN YOUR DAY. Think about what you want your elopement experience to look like. What's most important to you? What have been some of your favorite memories together, and how can you bring aspects of those memories into your wedding day? Do you love visiting new places and experiencing them for the first time, or revisiting old places for the sentimentality? Take the time to talk about what your wedding day means to you both, and use those talks to narrow down where and how you want to elope.
2. HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER. Documenting your day is often one of the most important parts of planning an elopement - most couples spend a majority of the budget and plan their day based on their photographer. When looking for a photographer, I highly recommend prioritizing two qualities - someone who knows the area well, and someone who can help you plan your elopement. As a Northern California elopement photographer, I specialize in helping couples find hidden gem locations, scouting out countless locations beforehand to get a sense of what the experience is like, what areas photograph well, and what areas fit the vibe that the couple is looking for. A majority of my couples come in with just a general idea of what they're looking for! Some locations are more adventurous and perfect for couples with no guests, while others provide a more private ceremony experience and can work for intimate weddings as well. Besides finding a photographer who knows the area and can help you plan, it's also important to find a photographer who you vibe with well and whose style you love. If you get excited everytime you talk with your photographer and see their photos, then you've likely found a perfect match!
3. DECIDE ON A DATE. For most couples, the most important factors when picking a date are 1) season and 2) day of the week. If you're sensitive to hot or cold weather, be sure to avoid those months. If you don't want to worry about rain, you'll likely want to get married in the summer or fall. On the other hand, if you prefer to avoid the crowds and love to visit places in low or shoulder seasons for a more intimate and private experience (my personal preference!), winter and spring can be great times to elope. Luckily California is known as the golden state for a reason, with mild weather in most places year round. You'll also likely save money on accommodations and travel during those seasons, and have more options for vendors as it's a slower time of year. As for day of the week, weekdays are often the way to go! Especially if you're getting married in a public park, choosing a weekday can make the world of a difference in the elopement day experience.
4. GET THE PROPER PERMITS. Another reason why hiring a photographer who knows the area well is important - oftentimes they can help you navigate the permit process! Most national/state/county parks require a permit to get married there. Each park is different - some may have guest limits, some may only allow you to have ceremonies in specific areas, and some may require a photography permit. If getting married at a well known location like Muir Woods National Monument and Yosemite National Park, it is recommended to submit your permit months in advance. Other locations will often accept permits even just a month in advance, or a few weeks with a rush filing fee.
5. HIRE OTHER VENDORS. One of the best things about planning an elopement is that you can make it simple like doing your own hair and makeup, or you can choose to splurge on the vendors that matter to you. It's much easier to plan for just your bridal hair and makeup or one beautiful statement piece bouquet than it is to plan for an entire wedding party or venue. Here are vendors to think about including: florist, hair/makeup artist, picnic/rentals, private chef/dining, videographer.
6. PREPARE FOR YOUR DAY. The little things you don't want to forget! It's helpful to create a checklist, like getting your wedding outfits bought and altered in time, planning for food and dining, writing your vows, or having songs picked up for the day. For all my elopement couples, I provide a full checklist to help you keep track of your progress and all your planning all in one place!
7. CREATE A DAY OF TIMELINE. Your photographer can also help you with this - most couples will plan their day around what time works best for the location they are planning for. One common misconception is that elopements are short. But just because you don't have guests doesn't mean your day and your experience is any less important! Your wedding day should be treasured, experienced, and celebrated with the importance it deserves. It's moments that you get to take in with each other, looking around you at the amazing place you are in and reflecting on all the ups and downs you've shared together, those in between moments that tell your love story, that often can become the ones you remember the most. Most elopements need around 4-6 hour photography coverage.
8. CELEBRATE! The hard work is over and the fun begins! You've made it, and all there's left to do is to be present, take it all in, and celebrate how excited you are to start this new chapter with the love of your life!