From dramatic coastal backdrops, to groves of towering redwoods, vast deserts and grand mountain destinations, the West Coast has every location for your elopement. With so many to pick from, I hope this blog helps you narrow in on your vision! Absolutely, feel free to reach out and let’s chat about where the heck on the West Coast you want to Elope!
The West Coast of the U.S. consists of: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Being a Native to California, I’m in love with the West Coast, and always finding a new place to dip off to, what seems like every other month to explore. There many iconic spots like Big Sur and Yosemite – while they are truly incredible places, I love exploring the places tucked away, with less people and magic gems of locations. In this blog, you’ll find spots tucked away in Oregon, Wyoming, California and Utah!
Elope in Bend
A mountain town built on the adventure lifestyle in Central Oregon
Bend is a blend of High Desert landscape meets the stunning Cascade Mountain Range, a rad little town with a river running through it, where you can run off to the mountains and the lakes or hike and adventure in Smith Rock.
Traveling to Bend, Oregon
Fly into Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), just 20 minutes North of Bend. The closest large Airport is Portland (PDX), a 3.5 hour drive. If you live on the West Coast, you may even consider driving. I live in the Bay Area and it’s a peaceful 8 hour drive, and then you don’t need a rental car to explore!
Elopement Locations in Bend
Suttle Lake
Did you grow up going to the mountains every summer? Suttle Lake is an incredible spot for a summer elopement in Bend. The laid back vibes are flowing, you can rent a cabin at Suttle Lake Lodge and elope on a private dock or nearby in Deschutes National Forest.
Sparks Lake
Just a 30 minute drive out of Bend, you’ll drive up Cascade Lakes Highway towards Mt. Bachelor, dropping into a valley of lakes and mountains, you will soon come across Sparks Lake – a beautiful location for your elopement with views of South Sister.
Smith Rock
If you’ve next seen photos of Smith Rock State Park, pop open Instagram and prepare to be in awe. Bend is so special with it’s diverse landscapes. The jagged rocks of Smith Rock give off a desert color palette of earth tones. Smith
Places to Stay in Bend for your Elopement
Areas around Bend – Sunriver, Sisters, Old Bend is near downtown, the river and super cute cottage style homes
Suttle Lodge
If you’re dreaming of summer lake vibes, this is your place!
Five Pine Lodge
A Modern Lodge in Sisters – with high end cabin vibes. Beautiful forest vibes for getting ready photos!
LOGE Bend
Are you super laid back and wanting to spend more time outdoors, than carrying about your lodging. LOGE is a great basecamp for the adventurous.
Lookout Tower Airbnb
Unique location, awesome views and beautiful property for your Bend Elopement
La Pine A-Frame Airbnb
Adorable A-Frame in the forest! Can you picture sitting around the fire outside at the end of your Elopement Day? It’s also dog friendly!
Three Rivers Chalet
A bright and spacious place near Sunriver!
Eloping in the Eastern Sierras (Highway 395)
Take a road trip together and camp along the way for your West Coast Elopement!
The Sierras are the largest mountain range in California, known for their massive slabs of granite. The Eastern Sierras along Highway 395 is one of my favorite areas in California, and spotted with epic locations for a West Coast Elopement. A high desert landscape and mountain horizons Mammoth Lakes and Alabama Hills are the most iconic areas along the 395 for your Elopement
Traveling in Eastern California
Highway 395 is as iconic as Highway 1 when it comes to road trips. Traveling from North to South on the Eastern Side of California, it’s easily accessible from both Northern and Southern California by car. If you are flying in, Palm Springs Airport (PSP), Los Angeles International(LAX), and San Francisco International (SFO) are airports you should consider.
Sierra Nevada Elopement Locations
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth is one of my favorite places, if you’ve ever been to Lake Tahoe the vibe is really similar but the best part is the town is pretty small and so it’s never too crowded. In the winter Mammoth Mountain is one of the largest ski resorts on the west coast, and in the summer you can mountain bike literally everywhere, camp up at the lakes or soak in the natural hot springs.
June Lake
In Inyo National Forest, June Lake is a small mountain community, with multiple lakes, campgrounds and a few small lodges.
Big Pines Lake
Big Pines Lakes is a real hidden gem, tucked up into the sierra nevadas near Bishop.
The local campground near the trailhead is Big Pine Creek Campground to stay before you take off on an epic but challenging Trail in John Muir Wilderness. The Big Pine Lakes trail leads to the many lakes, iconic backdrops for your ceremony, and backcountry camping is allowed with permits. The trail is also dog friendly!
Alabama Hills
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Death Valley National Park is just a 2 hour drive to the East and an incredible place to explore if you have time!
Check out this blog about my favorite spots in the Eastern Sierras to adventure and for elopements!
Camping + Lodging in Eastern California
Lake Mary Campground
In Mammoth Lakes
Oh Ridge Campground
In June Lake
Alabama Hills
BLM Camping
Sierra Meadows Ranch
In Mammoth Lakes
Outbound Hotel
In Mammoth Lakes
Eastern California is more remote, if camping isn’t your thing or these hotels aren’t of interest, check out Airbnb in Mammoth Lakes and Lone Pine (Nearest town to Alabama Hills).
5 Areas to Elope on the Northern California Coast
Road Trip along Highway 1, north of San Francisco all the way to the Oregon border.
As a Northern California Native, I may be biased but I think our coastline North of San Francisco is some of the most beautiful coastal landscapes on the West Coast. The best part, it’s fairly untouched, has a remote feel with just enough places to stay, local amenities, and so much exploring. As you make your way up Highway 1, you’ll come across sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, bluffs, rocky cliffs, and redwoods. While I absolutely love Big Sur, it’s one of the most photographed and busiest coastal areas in California. You should absolutely consider areas like Timber Cove, Sea Ranch, Mendocino, and Trinidad if you’re considering Eloping on the California Coast.
Roadtripping Highway 1
If you aren’t within driving distance of Northern California, you can fly into SFO or OAK, both are International Airports in the Bay Area and rent a car for this epic road trip up Highway 1.
Coastal Elopement Locations in Northern California
Timber Cove
20 minutes north of Jenner, Timber cove is a small community with Timber Cove Resort
Want to have a little getaway on the coast, and elope at the same time? Timber Cove Resort is a stunning property! Check out this full guide to planning an Elopement at Timber Cove, and this gallery!
Sea Ranch
Sea Ranch is a 7000 acre community on the Sonoma coast, known for its architectural design that blends harmony with the natural elements. Stunning minimalist style with a luxe cabin vibe, many homes are tucked into the redwoods and some sit down on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There are alot of rentals on Airbnb in Sea Ranch, you may also consider Sea Ranch Lodge for a coastal elopement.
Mendocino
Mendocino is about 3.5 hours from the Bay Area. As you make your way up Highway 1 you will come across this tiny town filled with Victorian Style homes and buildings, it’s really neat. Just at the edge of town is Mendocino Headlands, beautiful bluffs and trails along the coast and Russian Gulch State Park is also a beautiful area for an elopement, a mix of coastal scenery and stunning redwoods.
Trinidad
Patricks Point, also known as Sue Meg State Park is a stunning location for your West Coast Elopement. Enjoy coffee on the beach at sunrise, wander the trails through Sue Meg State Park for epic morning light before heading back to your campsite or Airbnb to start getting ready. You can drive up to Redwood National Park for portraits, and read your vows on the coast for sunset. There is so much to explore and many settings to choose for your Elopement day.
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is made up of 4 state parks along the coast, with so many redwood groves to choose from for your Elopement, Portraits or just adventuring. Fern Canyon + Jedediah Smith Redwoods are two of the best spots!
Airbnb and Lodges to stay on the Coast in Northern California
Timber Cove Resort
Enjoy ocean views all day long at this stunning property!
Sea Ranch Lodge
Relax in architectural heaven
Ocean View home in Trinidad
Modern Beach House in Trinidad
Mendocino Grove
Modern Camping on the Coast
Southern Utah
Southern Utah is one of my favorite places on the West Coast, and there are so many locations for an elopement! You can take a road trip from Moab all the way to St George and check off 5 national parks. I’ve done this drive a few times and recommend at least 7-10 days, but I’m going to jump straight to my favorite part, the southeastern corner of Utah – Moab, Capitol Reef, Escalante are all unique in their own landscapes! In this section we’ll explore each of them as you consider locations for elopement.
Traveling to Southern Utah
This is definitely a road trip kind of area, you can fly into Salt Lake City(SLC) or Grand Junction(GJT), Colorado as your nearest airports. Canyonlands Airport (CNY)in Moab is also an option with Delta and United flights but it’s really tiny, like the TSA doesn’t open until noon. For Real – I learned this on a recent trip the only flights out that day got canceled.
Best Elopement Locations in Southern Utah
Moab
Moab is so vast and honestly my favorite place in Utah. You’ll often be driving down the road looking out the window, and feel like you’re driving through the Cars movie. The town of Moab is small, but has great spots to eat and recharge in between adventures. You could easily spend a week in Moab exploring, between the 2 National Parks – Arches and Canyonlands, and all the places in between, Castle Valley and Dead Horse State Park are also incredible places for photos!
Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef is forsure a bucket list spot on the National Park list, the best part is, it’s kinda far out so it’s not as crowded! With towering red rocks everywhere, Cathedral Valley is iconic! It’s a remote OHV trail that would be absolutely stunning as an Elopement Adventure.
Escalante National Monument
The Grand Staircase is a National Monument, managed by BLM in Southern Utah, covering over 1.87 million acres. The landscape is stunning and changes constantly.
Lodging in Southern Utah
ULUM
Treat yourself for your Elopement to the most Luxe camping experience!
Under Canvas Moab
Great Basecamp in Northern Moab to explore Canyonlands and Arches!
Of Land Escalante
Of Land is such a unique property with Airstreams, Cabins and even a cool drive in movie theater!
Casitas at Capitol Reef
Tiny homes available or stay at their modern Inn
The Cabins at Capitol Reef
Three A Frames that can be rented individually or together
Grand Tetons Elopements
Jackson Hole, Wyoming is home to one of the most incredible landscapes on the West Coast – Grand Teton National Park. If you are looking for dramatic mountains, lush greenery, and the neatest little mountain town you should consider the Tetons for your elopement.
Nearest Airports to Teton National Park
Fly directly into Jackson Hole or make a road trip out of it by flying into Bozeman and driving through Yellowstone National Park on your way down to Jackson Hole or road trip up from Salt Lake City. Idaho Falls is also nearby for a more local airport.
Jackson Hole Airport | 7 minutes
Idaho Falls | 2 hours
Bozeman | 4.5 hours
Salt Lake City | 4.5 hours
Elopement Locations in Jackson Hole
Teton National Park
You really can’t go wrong when picking a location in the Tetons to Elope. Just like all National Parks, you will need to go through the process of getting a Ceremony Permit. For Grand Teton National Park Ceremony Permits, there are 2 different permits, depending on the size of your group, a Reserved Site Specific Ceremony Permit for groups of 12-25 guests, and small dispersed ceremony permit for groups of no more than 12 (including couple and vendors). The Wedding Tree, Colter Bay, Oxbow Bend, and Mountain View Turn out are stunning and popular spots to Elope in the Park.
Diamond Cross Ranch
The Teton Cabins at Diamond Cross Ranch is a dream wedding venue for micro weddings, while you can still read private views at one of the iconic spots in the park or adventure around for portraits. The Teton Cabins is a stunning property for you and your guests to stay, as well as plan a celebration with your favorite humans.
Where to stay in Jackson Hole
Teton Cabins | Diamond Cross Ranch
Log Cabin Retreat + Micro Wedding Venue
Tammah
Geo Dome near Teton National Park
Fireside Resort
Luxury Cabins near Teton Village
Anvil Hotel
Stay in town right on the famous Jackson Town Square
Cabin with views of the Tetons
Modern Cabin
Multiple stays on the same property – if you have guests for your Elopement!
More Resources for your West Coast Elopement
For an unforgettable elopement on the West Coast, from Bend’s rustic charm to the dramatic coastlines of Northern California, and the vast landscapes of the deserts in Southern Utah, each spot offers a unique backdrop to say your vows and create a day with intention and adventure. Explore my blog for detailed guides on these destinations and more elopement planning tips.
