How to Elope in Northern California
As a lover of anything and everything outdoors, Northern California is one of my absolute favorite places. I am a California elopement photographer and there’s nothing more exciting than a couple inquiring about a Northern California Elopement! So I wanted to share everything you need to know if you are considering eloping in Northern California. From the best locations to the best places to stay, this Northern California Elopement guide will cover it all!
Table of Contents
- Why Elope in Northern California?
- How to get to Northern California
- Best Time of the Year to Elope in Northern California
- Top 7 Best Northern California Elopement Locations
- How to get Married in Northern California?
- Best Places to Stay in Northern California
- Fun Northern California Elopement Activities + Ideas
- Best Northern California Elopement Vendors
- Meet your Northern California Elopement Photographer
- Northern California Elopement Packages
Why Elope in Northern California?
There is no doubt that Northern California offers a plethora of stunning locations for your elopement. From the rugged coastline of Big Sur to the towering redwoods of Muir Woods, there is something for every couple. Northern California might be the perfect elopement location for you if:
- You’re a lover of adventure
- You love hiking and exploring new areas
- You’re wanting epic views for your elopement ceremony
- You want to explore forests, beaches, and mountains
- You want an intimate ceremony surrounded by nature
- You want plenty of beautiful options for locations to elope
How to Get to Northern California
Northern California is a pretty large area that covers the San Francisco Bay area and up. So there are several different airports that you can fly into. But no matter what, you will most likely need to drive a way to reach your elopement location unless you are eloping in one of the major cities.
The 3 major airports that you can fly into in Northern California are:
- San Francisco International Airport
- San Jose Mineta International Airport
- Sacramento International Airport
Should you rent a car?
Most likely you will need to rent a car if you are eloping anywhere outside the city. The drives to get to many of the best Northern California elopement locations are pretty long.
Best Time of Year to Elope in Northern California
Spring
Springtime in Northern California is absolutely stunning as the surrounding mountains still have tons of snow, the waterfalls and rivers are abundant and flowing, and the wildflowers are blooming! The temperatures typically range from 60-75 degrees which is the perfect weather for a hiking elopement! Spring is definitely one of my favorite times of the year to capture elopements in Northern California.
Summer
If you are planning an elopement closer to the Coast in Northern California, then the summer months are a great time. While tourist activity is much higher during this time, there are plenty of beautiful locations where you can have a more private elopement ceremony. I would recommend avoiding the more inland areas in the summer months as temperatures can get up to 100 degrees.
Fall
Fall is probably the most beautiful time of the year in Northern California. The leaves are changing colors and the tourist activity dies down a ton. Whether you want a romantic beach elopement or an adventurous hiking elopement in the Redwoods, the temperature usually falls in the mid-high 60s which is perfect!
Winter
Winter is also a beautiful time of year to elope if you don’t mind a little more unpredictability with the weather. It could rain or it could be 75 degrees so if that doesn’t bother you then it’s a beautiful time of year to elope. And you can also get some beautiful snow-capped mountains which make for an epic backdrop for your elopement photos.
Top 7 Best Northern California Elopement Locations
Northern California has SOOO many amazing locations for you to choose for your elopement and it can’t definitely be overwhelming when trying to decide. As an elopement photographer who has traveled a ton and shot elopements in lots of places, here are my personal favorite locations!
1. Big Sur
Big Sur is one of the most iconic Northern California elopement locations and for good reason. IT’S STUNNING! You have the jagged cliffs and beautiful ocean views, making for the most epic backdrop for your elopement!
Best Time of Year to Elope: April – October
Permit(s) Needed: Special Use Permit
2. Yosemite
Of course, Yosemite had to be included on this list. From beautiful meadows to some of the most breathtaking cliffs, waterfalls, and mountains through the park, you can’t go wrong with a Yosemite elopement. The one downside to eloping at Yosemite is that it is typically very busy so if you’re looking to have a more intimate and private ceremony, this probably isn’t the location for you.
Best Time of Year to Elope: June – September
Permit(s) Needed: Special Use Permit
3. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is much less well known but is definitely a special place. Surrounded by the most stunning mountains the park also has crystal clear lakes, steaming fumaroles, beautiful meadows, and of course epic volcanoes. Being as this is a much less well-known park, it’s a great option if you are seeking a more private ceremony!
Best Time of Year to Elope: August & September
Permit(s) Needed: Special Use Permit
4. Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is a super unique location in Northern California that offers gorgeous lakes, fewer crowds, and year-round fun. You can visit in the summer months and enjoy some paddle boarding and swimming after your elopement. Or visit in the winter months and ski, snowboard, or just enjoy the beautiful snowy mountain views!
Best Time of Year to Elope: Year-round (just depends on the type of weather you like)
Permit(s) Needed: No
5. Mendocino Coast
If you’re hoping for an amazing elopement location with beautiful coastal views lined with thousands of Redwoods trees, then the Mendocino Coast is for you. It has the best of both worlds AND and it has amazing weather year-round with the temperature typically not fluctuating too much.
Best Time of Year to Elope: Year-round
Permit(s) Needed: No
6. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a super popular vacation spot in California and for good reason. The beautiful crystal clear lake is gorgeous and there are so many different activities to do while you are there. There are tons of accessible beaches, amazing hotels and Airbnb’s, and plenty of things to do to make your elopement day extra special!
Best time of the year to elope: March – November
Permit(s) Needed: Yes, some locations require a Special Use Permit
7. Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is definitely one of my favorite locations for elopements. From the lush green forest to some of the most beautiful coastlines, Redwoods National Park is perfect if you and your partner are lovers of nature and adventure! With Coastal Redwoods being the tallest plants in the world, you truly need to be there experiencing them in person to comprehend their size. Check out my Redwood National Park Elopement Guide for more information! Also wanted to mention that both live and dried florals are prohibited in the park due to the risk of bringing in pests. So plan ahead and use fake flowers or get creative and opt for something a little different!
Best Time of Year to Elope: May – September
Permit(s) Needed: Special Use Permit
How to Get Married in Northern California
Northern California marriage license + laws
When planning your Northern California elopement, the first step to getting legally married is to get your California Marriage License. Every state has different rules, so let’s go over what you need to get legally married in California.
You can obtain your California marriage license by visiting any County Clerk’s office together in person.
California Marriage Laws:
- Fill out California Marriage License Application
- License Filing Fee: $80
- Legal Age to Marry: 18 years or older
- Waiting period: no (meaning you can get married as soon as you have your license!)
- Must get married within 90 days of getting a marriage license
- Witnesses needed? Yes, one person over the age of 18
- Marriage Officiant required? Yes
- Is California Residency required? No
Best Places to Stay in Northern California
When planning your Northern California elopement, figuring out where to stay is also super important. Eloping is a super special and unique experience and your accommodations should also be a top priority. Below you’ll find some of my favorite Airbnb’s from each location listed above:
Big Sur
Yosemite
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Mount Shasta
- Modern Mount Shasta Cabin
- A-Frame Cabin Retreat with Hot Tub
- Ocean view private King suite in 3-acre forest
Mendocino Coast
- Applegate Cottage nature-inspired, artisan design
- Modern & Tranquil ~ Mins to Coast ~ ♛Hot Tub ~ BBQ
Lake Tahoe
Redwood National Park
- Treehouse Getaway
- Enjoy Private Redwoods from Your Bed or the Deck
- Ocean view private King suite in 3-acre forest
- Rustic Coastal Cabin – ‘Sugar Mountain’
- Oceanfront White Rock Resort, private jacuzzi!
- 2BR Oceanfront | Hot Tub | Deck | W/D
- Modern Cabin in the Redwood Rainforest
- Jedidiah Smith Redwoods retreat with ocean view
- The Gasquet Fly In
Fun Northern California Elopement Activities + Ideas
- Enjoy the beautiful views and spend your day hiking
- Soak in the hot springs at Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Kayaking and paddle boarding in Lake Tahoe
- Rock climbing
- Visit glass beach
- Enjoy a scenic drive on the Pacific Coast Highway
- Go swimming in one of the many lakes
- Snowboarding and Skiing in the winter months
- Hike to one of the many waterfalls in Northern California
- Enjoy a sunset picnic on the beach
Best Northern California Elopement Vendors
Meet Your Northern California Elopement Photographer
As a Northern California Elopement Photographer, I have tons of knowledge when it comes to planning an epic elopement. As someone who is super passionate about my job, I don’t want to just be your photographer. I want to help you with the planning process, finding locations, places to stay, vendors, and most of all help you figure out solutions when things derail. It’s your wedding day and the last thing you should be doing is stressing out. I want to ensure that my couples have the best day possible and that means being a shoulder for them to lean on when problems arise!
Hey, I’m Gabbi!
I’m a wedding & elopement photographer based in Northern California. I’m a lover of the outdoors and spend most of my time with my husband and our 4 dogs camping, rock climbing, hiking, and enjoying nature!
Elopements hold a special place in my heart. They throw out the rule book on tradition and allow you the complete freedom to do what you really want to do on the biggest day of your lives!
Whatever your elopement day looks like, I can’t wait to help create the most intentional and authentic day that is perfectly and uniquely you.
I’m here to help you through the entire process of planning your elopement from start to finish. I’ll help you with everything from choosing a perfect location to creating your Day Of schedule to officiating and of course, photography!
Northern California Elopement Packages
Multiple coverage lengths are available for adventurers who want to go for an all-day hike, or couples who want to take it easy and soak in the day with their partner. So what’s included?
- planning assistance
- personalized location guide
- day of timeline
- vendor recommendations
- online gallery
- full printing rights
