When it comes to eloping one of my favorite parts is the freedom of choice you have when it comes to deciding where you’re going to be married. With it more or less just being the two of you that you need to worry about, the possibilities are endless. So where should you elope? California has some of THE best locations for an adventurous elopement which I’m going to share with you here. Here are some of the COOLEST spots to elope in Cali.

Guidelines for Eloping in California

First off a little basic info on what it’s like to get married in California, spoiler alert it’s surprisingly simple.  Unlike many states throughout the US, there is no wait period to get married in California.  As soon as your license is issued it is valid.  You do however have to get married within 90 days from the date that it is issued.  You both will need your photo ID’s and an appointment scheduled at your county clerk and you will be good to go!

When you fill out your marriage license you will need the following information: The legal name and date/place of birth for both you and bae, along with the same information for each set of parents.  The new name you or your spouse or both of you plan to take after your ceremony, and proof of divorce if you were in a previous marriage.

California is one of eight states in the US that allows self-solemnization meaning you and your partner can perform your marriage ceremony on your own.  When you plan a self-solemnize you do need to apply for a specific marriage application, so make sure to get the proper one when applying for a California marriage license at your county clerics.

Joshua Tree

About the Location

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the US.  It was the 10th most visited national park in 2020 and is seriously one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and one of my favorite locations for an elopement in California.  Joshua Tree is the meeting place of two very distinct and different ecosystems.  That of the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert.  

The Mojave Desert side has a higher elevation and cooler temperature than the Colorado side making it more appealing for the Joshua trees to grow. While you can still find plenty of Joshua trees on the Colorado Desert side the hotter climate and lower elevation will make them more scarce. If the tree’s themselves are the main attraction for you then the Mojave side is the way to go. If your focus is more on the amazing landscape and environment of the desert, both sides will treat you very well and you’ll end up with some breathtaking photos and an amazing experience regardless.

Why Elope at Joshua Tree?

If you have a love for desert scenes and have something a little more intimate in mind for your wedding day, Joshua Tree is the way to go. There’s so much stunning landscape around the national park to work with, not to mention the Joshua trees themselves that the park is named after are iconic. Along with the desert, there are so many unique geologic locations that are absolutely breathtaking. Spend your weekend with your closest friends or just the two of you at one of the cute Airbnb’s in the area and tie the knot your way!

When to Elope at Joshua Tree

Deciding when to have your Joshua Tree elopement will depend on your preferences and what you can tolerate in terms of weather.  The summer is extremely hot, often unbearably hot, but the evenings can be pretty nice in terms of temperature.  Fall is a pretty ideal middle of the road temperature.  Winter can be a bit all over the place.  There has been some snow fall the past couple of years because of the changes to the climate but it still isn’t super frequent.  Then as for spring, Joshua Tree is notorious for its torrential downpours.

The Permits

In order to elope in Joshua Tree National Park you will need a permit for both you AND each vendor involved in your wedding day.  The permits are $120 (as of April 2022) for both you and your partner and for each vendor involved.  There are limits to the locations at which you can have your ceremony, so make sure to visit the National Parks Website to go over all of the details.

Torrey Pines

About the Location

Our next elopement locations is Torrey Pines state park which is located along the coast of La Jolla California. If you’ve always envisioned you and bae getting married on a beautiful cliff overlooking the ocean then Torrey Pines is calling your name. Some seriously stunning views are in store for you on your wedding day, and after your ceremony you can head right down to the water with your photographer for some  dreamy beachside photos.

Why Elope at Torrey Pines?

If you’re the kind of couple that loves the beach, open water, and a cliffside view straight out of a dream then you should consider eloping at Torrey Pines. It’s seriously such an incredible location with one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen. And with the sun setting either during your ceremony or slightly after when we’re taking pictures you’ll end up with photos that you’ll LOVE to look back on.

When to Elope at Torrey Pines?

Avoid May June, and opt for late in the summer to get the most time with those gorgeous sunsets. Being closer to the water means temperatures will stay relatively consistent but be on the lookout for any inclement weather as your date approaches. 

The Permits

In order to reserve a time for your wedding at Torrey Pines you’ll need to contact their State Parks Special Event Office for a special event permit. Their contact is sd.specialevents@parks.ca.gov Though they don’t have the actual permit pricing on their website they mention that fees will vary depending on group size and day of the week.  Expect to pay a couple hundred dollars though.

Sunset Cliffs

About the Location

Sunset Cliffs is a neighborhood of San Diego and is located just a bit south of Torrey Pines. It has a lot of the same draws as Torrey Pines does, beautiful views, amazing sunsets (hence the name!), and an incredible beachside location. The main differences lie in the different rock formations and the size of the cliffs. Sunset Cliffs are much lower and closer to the water giving you a very intimate feel with the ocean right next to you.

Why Elope at Sunset Cliffs?

Sunset Cliffs line the coast of San Diego and is arguably one of the best locations on the California coast for an elopement.  Between the unique rock formations and the coastal sunsets each night Sunset Cliffs could be the perfect location for your elopement or intimate wedding. With Sunset Cliffs being so close to San Diego it makes it an incredibly easy trip if you’re staying in the city which is an added plus! Because of erosion on the coast and how the sunset cliffs are set up, I always suggest wearing shoes with good traction for taking photos on the cliffs in your wedding gear.  Bring a picnic set up and toast to your wedding day on the beach while watching the sunset over the water.

The Permits

Eloping at Sunset Cliffs does require a wedding permit.  You can apply for your wedding permit here.  The permit is about $187 (as of April 2022).  This money helps to maintain the parks and keep everything looking beautiful for moments like these.  However, if you plan to visit the park just for the photos on your elopement day (no ceremony) there is no fee and there are no limitations on where you can go throughout the park.

Wayfarers Chapel and Abalone Cove

About the Location

The combination of Wayfarers Chapel and Abalone Cove is really a dream come true. Located just west of Long Beach California the close proximity of these two locations to one another makes them the perfect combo for your elopement. Wayfarers chapel is a gorgeous chapel surrounded by some of the best views of the coast. The architecture and views here are next level, your jaw hits the floor the second you see it. If Abalone Cove wasn’t as close as it is we likely wouldn’t leave the chapel for more pictures, it’s just that good!

As for Abalone Cove, it gives you that great oceanside feel that is so perfect for an elopement day. With stunning cliffs, green fields nearby, and an awesome mix of rocky and sandy shorelines there’s an impressive variety at Abalone Cove. 

Why Elope at Wayfarers Chapel and Abalone Cove?

If you’re looking to elope and want to have some of your closest friends and family with you, Wayfarers Chapel is the perfect setting. You just can’t beat being able to have such a beautiful space for all of your favorite people, or even just the two of you, right next to the beach of Abalone Cove. Have your ceremony and then head down to the beach for some sunset photos to cap off your elopement day!

The Permits

Wayfarers Chapel has a cost of $3400 Monday through Thursday and $4900 Friday through Sunday and most Holidays. The venue also offers a ton of add on options which you can view on their site here. The chapel sits just across the road from the Wayfarers’ chapel, making it the perfect place to relax and spend some time with family after your ceremony. For any intimate gatherings make sure to contact the local government for updated guidelines regarding photography permits as well as permits for intimate gatherings on the Cove.

As you can see I love California for a destination elopement as there’s SO many great locations to choose from, trust me, you can’t go wrong! If you’re on the fence about eloping or not sure where to start when planning your elopement head over to my contact page here. I would be SO stoked to be a part of day and am so ready to help you plan a freaking awesome California elopement.