California got its nickname ‘the golden state’ because of various reasons, the most obvious one being the deposits of the precious mineral: gold. But there are more things that are ‘golden’ about California: its beaches with golden sunsets, the golden gate bridge and the famous mountain slopes covered in golden poppies. 

The state is home to many beautiful elopement locations, ranging from beaches to forests and deserts. With 9 national parks and 270 state parks, it’s not hard to find a location that you’ll love!

When is the best time to elope in California?

In general, spring and autumn are the best times for an elopement or intimate wedding in California. Although these months are considered to be California’s off season, it is the perfect time if you want to avoid big crowds and scorching temperatures in southern California or freezing temps in the desert. But because the state is so big, each location has its own “best time of year”.

How to legally get married in California?

If you want to get married in California, you need to be mindful of the marriage laws in the state. You will need a marriage license, permits (depending on your wedding location) and to make your marriage legal there will have to be a witness present. 

Marriage Laws in California

• Marriage License: In order to get a marriage license in California both of you must be over 18 years old. Also, application is strictly personal, so you will have to apply and sign for the application in person. Right after signing you are ready to get married; there’s no waiting period for the license.

• Permitting: Before choosing your elopement location we recommend looking into any permits you might need to elope in that area. Most national parks and state parks in California require you to buy a special use permit or a wedding permit. The costs of these vary among parks and even with a permit you might not be allowed to do just anything during your elopement or wedding, so make sure you dive into the rules before pinning your location.

• Witnesses: A witness over the age of 18 has to be present during your ceremony in order to make your marriage legal. This could be your sister, friend, brother, mom, uncle, or whomever you like.

Best places to elope in California

There are so many wonderful places in California to choose from. Below you can read about some of our favorites!

Eloping in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is home to the tallest trees on earth and is perfect for couples who are looking for that fairytale ambience. But old forest growth and ferns are not the only things the park has to offer; the Redwoods also offer a rugged coastline, rivers, and prairies. On top of that, it’s located near the Oregon border, so you could even hop onto the Oregon coast on  your wedding day.

Check out: Leidy & Mario’s Oregon Coast Elopement

Eloping in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the more popular parks in California, and for a good reason! It’s famous for its massive cliffs. El Captain and Half Dome are very popular among the climbing community. Besides climbing, there are plenty of other things to do in Yosemite! Hike towards one of the cliff sides and enjoy the incredible view of el Captain, explore the old growth forest where you’ll find sequoia trees, or check out the waterfalls.

Eloping in Big Sur National Park

Along State Route 1 in California, rests Big Sur National Park. We highly recommend visiting if you ever plan a Highway 1 road trip because it has the most beautiful seaside cliffs, aqua blue water, and rolling hills overlooking the ocean. This park is the perfect location for your elopement anytime of the year, but if you want to see wildflowers, we suggest going anytime from March through May.

Eloping at Alabama Hills

Alabama Hills is the perfect place for couples who are looking for mountains, desert and seclusion! It’s part of BLM land. This means that it is not part of a national park or state park and is less structured.

Eloping in Death Valley National Park

Always wanted to visit a different planet? Death Valley National park comes pretty close. The park has a diverse environment of salt flats, endless sand dunes, badlands, valleys, canyons, and mountains. It’s perfect for couples who want to hike, offroad, bike, or star gaze on their wedding day. But keep in mind that it is the hottest National Park in the United states. For cooler temperatures it is best to visit from late fall to early spring.

Eloping at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia NP is adjacent to Kings Canyon National Park and is famous for its enormous trees. Have you ever walked around a tree that has a 36 ft diameter? You have no idea how big that is until you see it in real life. Cross these two National Parks off your bucket list by checking out the famous General Sherman Tree, and then drive down to Kings Canyon National Park for epic mountain views!

Eloping at Mammoth Lakes

Located on the eastern edge of the Sierra Mountains, Mammoth Lakes is famous for its endless lakes, rock formations, forests, mountain views and hotsprings. From winter sports to summer activities, this location is perfect during anytime of the year!

Eloping at Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore is famous for the impossibly picturesque Point Reyes Lighthouse, amazing hiking trails, its plentiful bird species and other wildlife, and the iconic expanse of Ten Mile Beach.

Eloping at Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is the largest freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada and the largest alpine lake in North America. It is perfect for couples who are looking for clear water, sandy beaches and rocky mountain scapes on their wedding day.

Eloping at Joshua Tree National Park

Looking for a diverse desert landscape? Joshua Tree National Park has so many cool things to check out. Besides the impressive rock formations and famous Joshua Trees, it’s also a perfect place if you want to experience breathtaking sunrises, sunsets and starry night skies!

Eloping at Mt Shasta

Looking for an awesome mountain top in California? Mount Shasta is a massive peak in the Cascades Mountain range that reaches 14,000 feet tall and is located in Northern California.

Eloping at Imperial Sand Dunes/Galmis Dunes

Located in the southeast corner of California, the Imperial Sand Dunes are the largest mass of sand dunes in the state. It’s perfect for couples who like to plan an exhilarating activity like ATVing or Motorcrossing.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the location options California has to offer?

Let us help you find the perfect place for your adventure wedding in California!

The Running Wild Team here! Your California Elopement Photographers!

For 5 years, Sanne called California her home before moving up to Washington State. She enjoyed many desert and beach locations on camping and off-roading trips. On top of that, Brooke has visited some of California’s most famous Parks, so we know our way around!

Want to know more about eloping in California?