Top 6 Best Places to Elope in California

California is an incredible state with landscapes and views that range from beaches and coastal cliffs to sweeping deserts and sand dunes, magnificent forests and mountains, and more. It’s no wonder it’s a top destination in the country for elopements! If you’ve decided you want to elope in California but need a little help narrowing down somewhere specific, I’m here to help! 

Below I list the top best places to elope in California along with a few other less well known spots that are totally underrated and deserve to be considered!

Somewhere Meaningful

Before I get into my specific list of the best places to elope in California, I just want to say that if there is a place that is meaningful to your relationship, you shouldn’t automatically count it out of your elopement location options just because it’s not new or exciting or Instagram famous. Choosing a location that is special to you and your partner is one way to make the day even more unique to you and you’ll get to add another amazing memory to a place you already love! Whether this is a destination that you’ve visited together in the past and loved, a trail you hike every weekend, or the town you grew up in, your elopement can still be the perfect day for you even if your location isn’t on this list. This is just to give you some ideas in case nothing specific comes to your mind right away or you want to pick a location based on the landscapes and scenery - which there’s nothing wrong with by the way!

1. Joshua Tree National Park 

Joshua Tree is hands down my favorite place to elope in California! I’m in love with the desert landscape, dreamy sunsets, and the opportunity for adventure you always find here. It’s also pretty accessible if you want to have guests join you for your elopement. 

Tips for eloping at Joshua Tree National Park

• Rent an Airbnb! They make great getting ready spaces and you can find a ton of stylish options that match the desert aesthetic of your elopement. 

• Book all day coverage or a day before adventure session so you can explore more of the park! There are so many incredible spots to see so don’t just limit yourselves to the one you have your ceremony at.

• Hire a Joshua Tree elopement photographer who knows the park really well! (*wink wink* hi that’s me!)

Learn more about HOW TO ELOPE IN JOSHUA TREE. 

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2. Big Sur

Big Sur always comes to my mind when I think of adventurous locations to elope! The rugged coastal cliffs, beaches, and redwood forests provide a variety of landscapes to explore and spending your wedding day here will be an experience you’ll never forget. Since Big Sur is on the central coast, it’s the perfect location to elope if you’re not local to California and you want to explore more of the state while you’re here - make your way north to San Francisco, east to Yosemite and Sequoia, or south towards Los Angeles. So many different options for whatever kind of adventure you’re going for!

Tips for eloping in Big Sur

• For best light, start in the forest and make your way to the coast to catch the sunset! 

• Consider a long flowy dress! It can be pretty windy on the cliffs along the coast and a fun way to embrace this is with an outfit that has a lot of movement. 

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3. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is truly an awe-inspiring place and one of my favorites for elopements! From the valley floor surrounded by pines and the granite summits of Half Dome and El Capitan to the epic viewpoints above, and all of the waterfalls, lakes, and trails in between, there’s no shortage of beautiful spots for your ceremony and portraits. 

Tips for eloping in Yosemite

• The roads leading up to the viewpoints are closed most of winter, so if you want to take photos at those iconic spots choose a summer or early fall date!

• Accommodations inside the park are a little more pricy but I recommend spending the extra money so you’re closer to everything and don’t have such a long drive in on the day of your elopement.

• Hire a Yosemite elopement photographer who knows the park really well! (surprise, that’s also me!)

Learn more about HOW TO ELOPE IN YOSEMITE.

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4. Malibu

With massive rock formations, sea caves, and cliffs overlooking the ocean, Malibu is one of the more unique beach options to choose from in Southern California. If you’re looking for a romantic and scenic location to get married that is also very accessible, Malibu is perfect for you! It’s about 40 minutes to an hour (depending on traffic, of course) from the Los Angeles Airport so you can easily fly in 

Tips for eloping in Malibu

• Rent your dream car and drive up the PCH for sunset on the day of or before your elopement to really get the full SoCal experience!

• Go for a sunrise or weekday elopement to avoid the beach crowds, especially if you’re getting married in a warmer month.

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5. Death Valley National Park

I recently visited Death Valley National Park and although it probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of where to get married, it is officially one of my TOP recommendations. The landscape here is so diverse and beautiful, it really feels like you’re in a whole different world! This place is perfect for couples who love to adventure and want to get away from the city for their elopement!

Tips for eloping at Death Valley National Park

• The temperatures here are VERY extreme in the summer so I highly recommend this location in the late fall or winter. I was here in December and it was so nice!

• Death Valley is pretty remote so try finding a place inside the park to stay for your elopement to cut off some driving time (especially because you will be doing lots of driving inside the park too - it’s huge!) You can rent a room at one of the resorts or inns inside the park or you can go the more adventurous route and camp!

Click here to see more photos from a Death Valley elopement!

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6. Red Rock Canyon

Only a couple hours from LA, Red Rock Canyon is a hidden gem that is totally underrated! This location is perfect if you love the look of desert and red rock, but want to stay within Southern California or avoid more touristy locations.

Tips for eloping at Red Rock Canyon

• Drive through and explore the area beforehand to pick out your ceremony location! You’ll be surprised at how many amazing spots there are just a short walk from a parking lot or even just off the side of the road.

• Pick a spring date for nicer weather and to have a better chance of seeing those pretty little desert wildflowers on your elopement day.

Check out this Red Rock Canyon elopement for more photo inspo!

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7. Mendocino Coast

Bonus Location! The Mendocino Coast has a similar vibe to Big Sur, but I’d say the redwoods here are much more impressive! If you want a woodsy vibe and still want access to the coast this place is perfect. It also feels a bit quieter and less touristy here, which is nice if you want a more peaceful getaway!

Some Other Amazing California Locations to Consider:

Point Reyes, NorCal
Sequoia National Park
Alabama Hills
Mammoth Lakes
Lake Tahoe
Redwoods National Park


For more info on how to elope, check out my elopement planning guide or reach out to me and I’m happy to help guide you through the process whether you want to elope here in California, or any other destination around the world!

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Carrie Rogers is a California elopement photographer passionate about helping couples create an intentional, meaningful wedding day experience and capturing photos that are authentic to their relationship.