If you’ve been thinking of eloping on a beach in The PNW, but especially in Brookings, Oregon, you’ve likely seen the photos of couples standing on the iconic rock surrounded by nothing but the ocean and other sea stacks (you know, this one ☝️.) While stunning, Secret Beach is arguably the most overcrowded places within Sam H Boardman so if you’re looking for a quiet and off the beaten path it may be best to skip secret beach all together on your day.
With 12 miles of jaw dropping coastline, there’s far more scenic and off the beaten path places within Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Since the All Trails hype hasn’t quite caught up to the Brookings area yet, hiring a local photographer who knows the best spots can completely make or break your experience eloping in Brookings – especially during the Summer months.
Why Should You Elope At Secret Beach?
Let’e be honest, tourist locations are tourist locations for a reason and this beach is no exception to that rule. It’s a stunner plus the photos are always jaw dropping and unique. While this beach is often overflowing with people, there are rare days where you get lucky enough to have the entire beach to yourself, if you happen to get one of those rare days on your elopement then this beach is truly a treat and one of the best places you could end your day. The sunsets here are almost stunning and it’s not uncommon to spot seals playing in the waves.
Why You Should Not Elope At Secret Beach
The reality that you don’t see online? This beach is crazy popular, the hike to get down to the beach while short is incredibly steep and slippery (especially on days where it’s raining or the marine layer is super thick and heavy). This beach is only accessible during low tides so if you want to enjoy the beach itself you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be eloping on a day and time that lines up with low tides. This is whats called a cove beach which means that getting caught on this beach during high tide can be both impossible and dangerous!
When it comes to your actual experience on your day, this beach can be crowded, unpredictable, difficult to reach, and you’re going to have onlookers watching you. This is NOT the spot for you if you’ve been envisioning sharing your vows in private with a great view away from other people.
Where Should You Elope in Brookings Instead
With a whole 12 miles of accessible coastline (add 8 more miles for the beautiful Gold Beach coastline as well) I have a few beaches and scenic viewpoints that I reccomend to my couples based on how much or how little hiking they want to do, if they want to put their toes in the sand or just admire the ocean, the time of year they’re eloping, and many other factors:
- For easy hiking and cliffside views, this location requires a less than 10 minute walk to a stunning lookout point complete with a grassy cliffside hill that looks straight out of a Jane Austen novel.
- For couples who want an adventure with a great hike and to finish their day by hiking out in the dark, this beach is hands down my favorite beach out of the entire Oregon coastline (if you saw this place in person, you’d agree)
- For couples who want to end the days with no hiking and running barefoot on a beach this beach is one of my favorite places for a calm evening watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean or a sunrise Tidepooling session. Golden hour is always a banger here and regardless of the tide this beach is always accessible.
If You Do Decide to Elope at Secret Beach
If you do decide to elope at Secret Beach the best advice I can give you is to make this beach a quick stop in and out on your day, don’t linger longer than you have to. The quicker you move on, the faster you’ll get to experience the raw and untouched parts of the coast.
If you’re thinking about eloping in Brookings, be sure to read this blog to help you take advantage of all Brookings has to offer for your elopement day!
Thinking about eloping at Secret Beach?
As an Oregon Coast adventure elopement photographer who’s lived and worked within Samuel H. Boardman as a Park Host for the past 3 years, I do more than just document your day—I’m here to help you navigate every step of the journey. From building a timeline that flows naturally with your unique plans, to finding the perfect hidden-gem locations, to guiding you through all the legal details (like what to do if you don’t have any witnesses), I’m with you every step of the way. Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet ceremony beneath the towering redwoods or exchanging vows with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop, I’ll help you bring it all to life with ease and intention.
Let’s create an experience that reflects who you are and what matters most—one that’s completely stress-free and entirely yours from beginning to end.
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