There are endless places to elope in California. It offers everything from alpine lakes and 14’000 foot peaks to coastal cliffs, redwood forests, deserts, and even sand dunes. The hardest part isn’t deciding whether to elope in California—it’s deciding where.

By the end of this guide you’ll know:

• Which California location fits your personalities
• The best season for each destination
• Permit considerations
• Crowd levels
• Accessibility
• Hidden gems most blogs overlook

Hi, I’m Kayla—a California adventure elopement photographer who’s spent over a decade exploring these incredible landscapes and helping couples create intentional wedding days in the outdoors. From sunrise ceremonies in the Eastern Sierra to windswept beaches along the coast, I’ve learned that choosing the right location isn’t just about finding a pretty view, it’s about finding the place that feels like you.

Let’s dive into the best places to elope in California…

How to Choose the Right Place to Elope in California

California has some of the most diverse landscapes in the United States. In the matter of a few hours drive you can go from thick forests and high alpine lakes to coastal cliffs and sandy beaches. Deciding on a place to elope in California can feel a little overwhelming. So here’s a few questions to ask you and your partner to narrow things down: 

• Do you prefer mountains, beaches or deserts? 
• Do you like being warm or cold?
• What kind of adventure do you want to incorporate into your day? (ie: helicopter rides, hiking, biking, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, surfing etc)
• What time of year are you considering?
• Do you want to be in a totally remote place or you don’t mind having some onlookers?
• Are there any specific accessibility requirements you have? 
• Do you want to bring your dog with you? 
• Sunrise or sunset?
• What permits are required? 
• Will you be having any guests or just the two of you?

Not sure where fits your vision? I help every couple narrow down locations based on exactly the kind of experience they’re dreaming of.

Best Mountain Places to Elope in California

To kick us off here in this section, I’m going to chat through some of the best mountain locations! Having grown up in the Sequoia National Park and now currently residing in Mammoth Lakes, mountains mayyyyyy be my specialty. So go ahead and peep this graph for a quick over view and then check out more details below.

Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth is easily one of the best locations for 14,000 foot peaks and high alpine meadows. Not to mention finding seclusion here is way easier than in Yosemite!All four seasons offer lots of activities. Unlike other locations that only offer activities in certain seasons, Mammoth has everything from fall colors to wildflowers in the spring. For a full list of ALL the activities to do in Mammoth Lakes, check out this complete activities guide. 

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite might be one of the most iconic locations in the WORLD to elope in. But that also makes it one of the most crowded places too. If you’re looking to find seclusion, this may not be your spot. But if you’re looking for towing granite peaks and wide valley views, this just might be your spot. You can avoid the crowds by going in the off season, winter, early spring and fall. This location is accessible in all seasons! Permits are required here as well. You will need a National Park’s pass or a day use fee and also a permit to get married here. 

Sequoia National Park

Having literally grown up smack dab in the middle of the Sequoia National Park, I have LOTS to say about this incredible place, but I’ll keep it short. If you’re looking for crazy large trees, thick forests but still some sweeping canyon views, I would highly recommend this place. Summer is easily the best season here since a lot of the roads shut from winter-spring. Midweek still stays pretty secluded and there are lots of beautiful hikes and picnic areas in groves of giant trees! You will need a National Park’s pass or day use fee  and also a permit to get married here. 

Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon was the other part of my backyard growing up! Imagine the deepest canyon with a raging river in the middle of it. There are lots of waterfalls and towering granite peaks, not to mention caves!. This area is only accessible during summer-fall since they close the road during winter-spring. Finding seclusion here is quite easy, especially midweek! You will need a National Park’s pass or day use fee and also a permit to get married here. Since you have to drive through the Sequoia National Park to reach King’s Canyon, it would be easy to do both destinations! 

Lake Tahoe

If a sweeping lake larger than some cities is calling your name, Tahoe just might be your place! Perfect for paddleboarding, boating and hiking! Not only is Lake Tahoe gorgeous but the surrounding areas offer lush forests and hikes to surrounding alpine lakes. Tahoe is wonderful primarily in the summer, fall and winter. Very similar to Mammoth with offering lots of activities all year round. However, keep in mind that Tahoe can become very crowded in a lot of the popular areas. You can still find seclusion but you may need to hike for it. 

Mt Shasta 

If you are looking for breathtaking volcanic peaks surrounded by gorgeous forest Mt. Shasta is it! It’s another place that is great year round! But keep in mind that during the summer to early fall months, the crowds will be much heavier as that is the most popular time to visit. This area does offer year round activities focusing mainly on hiking, skiing, and mountaineering! Permits to get married are not needed in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest unless you have more than 75 people, 

Big Bear

Located in Southern California, Big Bear offers lakeside views and classic forest feels. If you live in or traveling from Southern California and you’re looking for a shorter drive rather than making the trek to Tahoe or Mammoth, Big Bear is another great option. If you are on National Forest land, permits are not required for groups of 75 or less. Crowds often vary, depending on the location. Summer and winter tend to be more popular than the fall and spring seasons. Since Big Bear has skiing/snowboarding in the winter and boating in the summer this tends to draw more people. 

Mt San Jacinto 

One of the easiest mountain tops to get to in Southern California, Mt San Jacinto has a tram ride that will take you to the top! If you’re looking for mountain top views without the 10 mile hike, this is your spot. You will need a special use day permit for $25. Keep in mind summer is easily the busiest season so navigating some crowds may require a bit of hiking. You  can also visit in the cooler season like spring or fall. The tram does run year round so you could do winter to get some snow views! 

Lassen Volcanic National Park

If you’re looking for some volcanic activity complete with craters, hydrothermal areas, bubbling lakes and mountain peaks, Lassen is your place to be! Permits are required and cost $75. The roads do close from late fall through early summer so unless you wanna back country ski in, mid to late summer is the best time to visit here. 

Six Rivers National Forest

If you’re looking for lush redwood forests and sprawling rivers Six Rivers National Forest offers nearly a million acres to explore. If you and your partner are looking to spice things up with some white water rafting on your elopement day, you can check out one of the six rivers. Depending on the location, you may need to apply for a permit. The best season to go is summer. The off seasons, fall through spring, often have heavy rainfall making it harder to explore some of the gorgeous areas. 

If mountains aren’t your thing then take a look at some of these iconic and hidden beach locations.

Best Beach Places to Elope in California

California is probably the most iconic state in the country for our beaches (besides Hawaii let’s be real). There are COUNTLESS fabulous coastal escapes that are perfect for elopements so I’ve just listed a few of my favorites! Without further ado…. The beaches! 

Big Sur

Easily one of the most popular coastal elopement destinations, Big Sur offers stunning cliffs and waterfalls right along the ocean. With its remote access, you’ll have miles of sweeping views and winding roads. You will need a permit to elope here but there are different permits depending on the location. The best season to come here is definitely fall (September-November). You have the most visibility during this time with the lowest crowds. Summer often has very dense fog that rolls in and tends not to clear out till late in the day and is very crowded! 

Laguna Beach

Located in southern California, Laguna Beach offers warm beach days and quaint city vibes. A classic California beach with premiere sunset views! The permits to get married here do run a little more on the expensive side depending on your party size and location. The best time of year to get married here is the fall, September to October. This time of year offers the least amount of crowds, warmest water and clearest skies. Summer is incredibly popular here but the crowds are extreme and you do have to remember the fog sometimes likes to stick around. 

Mendocino Coast

One of California’s most secluded coastal gems, the Mendocino Coast combines towering redwoods, golden meadows, and dramatic ocean cliffs. Permits or private venues are required depending on your chosen location. September and October offer the best weather, with clearer skies, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Late spring (April–May) is another beautiful option with lush greenery and wildflowers, though rain and wind are still possible. Summer and winter bring more fog and rain, creating a moody, dramatic atmosphere. Keep in mind, this remote coastline requires navigating small, winding roads to reach many locations.  

Point Reyes

If towering Cypress tree tunnels, sandy beaches and rocky cliffs scream your name then Point Reyes is your perfect elopement location. Located 30 miles north of San Francisco makes it easy to get to. You will need to pay a $100 permit fee to get married here. Similar to other coastal areas, the fall is the best time to visit, with minimal fog and crowds! 

Lost coast trail

If backpacking along the rugged coastline through black sand beaches screams your name, then the Lost Coast Trail may be your jam. You will need to contact The Bureau of Land Management and secure a permit to backpack in and get married at least 3 months in advance. The best time to get married here would be late May to early September. This is the most popular time but offers the most permits, and safest weather conditions. 

San Diego/Coronado 

San Diego has many incredible beaches to get married on but one of the most iconic would have to be Coronado Island. With the cute downtown area and the classic Hotel Del Coronado, there are limitless options for your beach wedding. You will need a permit depending on location and most permits start at $50. To avoid crowds and the fog gloom in the summer, elope here in the fall during September and October. 

Catalina Island

If you’re looking for a mix of ocean adventure and crystal clear waters, Catalina is the place to be. You can take a ferry, private boat or even helicopter here! This is a popular destination for bike packing, hiking and sea excursions like scuba diving! Depending on the location, you will need to apply for a permit to get married here. Summer is incredibly busy here so spring and fall are the perfect time to elope. Fall offers warmer days and lack of fog! 

Carmel by the Sea

Carmel by the Sea has a storybook, fairytale styled village with dreamy white sand beaches. From cozy cottages to one of a kind restaurants, Carmel offers intimate vibes only! Eloping on the beach in the City Areas will require a $211 permit. I think you probably guessed by now what the best season to elope here is…. Yup, fall! 

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is easily one of my favorite coastal towns in California. With its mission styled homes and buildings pressed up to the beaches to the oak tree filled foothills, you’ll feel right at home. You will need to obtain a permit to elope here depending on the location. One of the most popular spots is the 1929 Santa Barbara Courthouse, which you will need a reservation for. Summer and fall are the perfect times to get married here, but again, keep in mind the crowds will be greater in the summer months along with the “june gloom” fog. 

San Juan Capistrano

With its beautiful mission and steps away from the beach, San Jaun Capistrano feels like a not so hidden gem in the midst of Southern California. Even though you can’t elope at the mission itself, you can still take couple’s photos there! You may need to obtain a permit or pay for a small venue depending on where you want to say your vows in the area. Summer is incredibly busy for this area so fall time is best! 

Best Desert Places to Elope in California

One of the coolest things about California is not only our gorgeous beaches but also the sheer diversity we have of types of desert! Each location listed below is actually quite different so check em out! 

Joshua Tree National Park

Easily one of the most iconic desert locations to elope, Joshua Tree National Park offers incredible rock formations (great for climbing!!), stunning Joshua Trees and cactus gardens! You will definitely need a permit to exchange vows here and costs $120. I would highly recommend AVOIDING Joshua Tree during the summer. The temps here easily reach over 100 degrees in the summer so I would suggest eloping in the spring or fall! Winter is also a great time but temperatures at night do drop below freezing! 

Death Valley National Park

Are you looking for expansive sand dunes backed by gorgeous mountains? Well Death Valley National Park is the place to be! Its expansive terrain offers so many diverse options such as Artist’s Drive & Artist’s Palette with its colorful rocks! As with every National Park, you will need to get a permit to get married here that will cost around $300. Plan to elope here late fall through early spring as the temperatures can get dangerously high in the summer. 

Alabama Hills

Alabama HIlls is another incredibly famous spot for elopements and adventure. Not many desert destinations get to look up at the tallest peak in the lower 48. But Alabama Hills looks at several 14’000 foot peaks right next to Mt Whitney! This is a huge hub for climbing and adventuring. You will need to contact BLM to obtain a permit to get married here. Spring is by far the best time to elope here. The peaks are often still covered in snow so you get some warmer temperatures but snowy views! Fall is also another wonderful time, with the moderate temperatures. 

Red Rock Canyon State Park

This one is definitely a little off the normal list of desert locations, but is probably one of my favorites. Sitting just a couple hours north of LA, you get these crazy towering red rock cliffs and pillars to explore. Most people drive through here without even realizing it! You will need to contact the California State Parks to obtain a permit.  Late Spring here is incredible, with the fresh snow melting the shrubs and wildflowers bloom like crazy! You could also opt for fall with some warmer temperatures but a lot of the shrubbery is dead by now. 

Palm Springs 

Are you looking for some expansive desert mixed with some mid century modern vibes? I’m not gunna lie, I LOVE Palm Springs. There are endless locations that offer some adventure but also immaculate architecture and retro vibes! Not to mention the giant windmills offer something truly one of a kind! And if you’re looking for a little mountains to combine with this, Mt San Jacinto is super close and only a little tram ride away. This is also a huge hub for golfing so can someone say golfing elopement?! Depending on where exactly you want to tie the knot, a permit may be required. The best time to elope here is either fall or spring with its more moderate temperatures. 

Rainbow Basin Natural Area

Rainbow Basin Natural Area is another little hidden gem amongst the desert locations. Similar to Artist’s Palette it offers colorful desert rocks amongst the foothills! Compared to a lot of the more popular areas, Rainbow Basin is not nearly as crowded. You will need to contact BLM to get a permit to get married here! And by now you’ve probably guessed that fall or spring is the best time to elope here! 

Alright! Well we’ve gone through the best mountain, beach and desert locations so all that leaves is California’s Redwood locations! 

Best Redwood Forest Places to Elope in California

Okay, in my personal opinion, redwood forests need their entirely separate category. There are so many different options within California for epic redwood forests everything ranging from coastal forests to forests located close to major cities! Check out some of my favorites below. 

Redwood National Park

Up first, Redwood National Park, located in the north western part of California, spans roughly 206 square miles! This is probably one of the most popular spots for elopements! You will need a permit from the National Park and they range from $100-200 depending on location. The best time to elope here is either spring or fall, with better weather and lesser crowds! 

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Located further south than Redwood National Park, Humboldt Redwoods contains some of the world’s most ancient redwood forests! If you’re looking for the moody, thick forests, this may just be your place. You will need a permit that costs around $150. Spring, summer and fall are all amazing seasons to get married here with spring and fall being the least crowded. 

Jedediah Smith State Park

Located even further north than Redwood National Park, Jedidah Smith contains a pristine, uncrowded, old growth forest. Perfect if you’re looking for towering redwoods and less crowds. You will need a permit from the state parks department and they range from $100-200 depending on location. Late spring and early fall are the best times to get married here to avoid crowds and have good weather. 

Portola Redwoods State Park 

Located much further south outside of San Jose, Portola Redwoods State Park offers impeccable forest views close to a major city! It offers wonderful campgrounds, and serene views of the towering trees. You will need to get a permit that varies on how many people you have but start at $300. Depending on where in the state park you want to tie the knot, a secondary permit may be required. The best time of year is late spring when all of the foliage is in full bloom, lush and green! 

Best Season to Elope in California

California is one of the few places where you can have completely different elopement experiences depending on the time of year. Want snow-covered mountains? You can find that. Dreaming of wildflower-filled meadows? There’s a season for that too. Hoping for a foggy coastal adventure with fewer crowds? California has that as well. Sprawling sand dunes and countless cactus gardens? Guess what, you can find it here!

The best season to elope depends on the experience you’re dreaming of:

Spring: Best for waterfalls, wildflowers, cooler temps, snow topped peaks, lower-elevation adventures, and lush greenery. 

Summer: Perfect for alpine lakes, mountain locations, and high-elevation trails.

Fall: Incredible for fall colors, fewer crowds, desert landscapes and cooler temperatures. 

Winter: Ideal for moody coastal days, and snowy mountain adventures.

Every season has its own magic (and its own logistics!). 

Common Mistakes Couples Make When Choosing an Elopement Location

I’ve helped so many couples through the process of choosing the best location for their wedding day and I want to address just a few things before choosing your place to elope in California. These are some common potential issues I’ve helped couples work through before. 

Choosing based on Instagram:

Okay yes, Instagram has really opened a lot of doors when it comes to seeing places through your phone. However, this is not always the full picture. What you may see is a gorgeous high alpine lake that looks totally secluded. What you don’t see is the 200 other people standing in the exact same spot taking the same video. So before you go and decide 100% on your place via Instagram, do a little research first! 

Ignoring weather:

This is a huge one! Make sure that while doing your research that you pay attention to the weather patterns in the area. For example; if you’re wanting to elope in Mammoth Lakes in the winter, then make sure you are fully aware of the snow storms that roll in frequently. And please, please, pay attention to and respect road closures! 

Not considering permits:

When considering a location make sure you pay attention to what permits are required and how far in advance you need to apply for them! Some locations take months to get an approval while others take only a few days. Having a permit is essential to your day, you definitely don’t want to get hit with a fine or ticket on your wedding day! 

Underestimating hiking difficulty:

This one I have come across a few times in my line of work. Sometimes couples see a location, mostly via social media, and don’t understand just how far this location is to hike to! When it comes to locations I scout for you, I do my very best to understand your hiking ability before showing you your locations! But again, make sure you are being truthful about your skill level. If you’re doing something above your pay grade on your wedding day, it could add some unforeseen stress! 

Planning during peak tourist weekends:

One major thing to keep in mind is that if you are planning on getting married during a peak season, weekends will always be busier than weekdays! When picking your wedding day make sure you pay attention to major holidays! Crowds will be significantly higher during these times. If you can swing a mid week elopement like a Wednesday or Thursday, you will be able to mitigate the crowds a bit more. 

Not considering LNT:

Practicing the Leave No Trace (LNT) principals is key for making sure we leave nature the way it was for future generations to explore!  I’m going to use Yosemite as a perfect example of for this. The meadows in the valley are fragile environments but yet you will see countless posts, photographers and people walking through the meadows on undesignated trails. This damages the meadows and disturbs the ecosystems. So please keep in mind that just because you see someone on social media doing it, does not mean that you should. Please review the Leave No Trace principles if you are not familiar with them! 

Hidden Places to Elope in California

I’ve listed a ton of different locations for all different environments, now if you want my favorite for each one, then check this out below. 

Redwoods: Portola Redwoods State Park just outside of San Jose. 

Desert: Red Rocks Canyon State Park just outside of LA. 

Beach: A helicopter elopement to Catalina Island or Carmel by the Sea. 

Mountain: Avoid the crowds at Yosemite and elope in Mammoth Lakes! 

Phew. We went over a lot there, and if you’re still reading this, I appreciate you sticking around! Whether you’re dreaming of mountain peaks, coastal cliffs, redwood forests, or desert sunsets, I hope this guide helped you discover the perfect place to elope in California for your wedding day.

If you’re still feeling a little stuck and aren’t sure where to start, I’d love to help. Every couple I work with receives personalized location recommendations based on the experience they’re envisioning, not just what’s popular on Instagram. Get in touch with me to get some more information about this!