Best Places to Elope on the West Coast

Let’s get down to it with some of the best places to elope on the West Coats. Over the past year, it has been very challenging for many couples who have had big wedding plans canceled or postponed. Elopement is becoming a much more realistic option for couples who can enjoy an intimate ceremony celebrating their love. Throughout the West Coast of the USA, there are dozens of National Parks and stunning settings to elope. Today we’re going to share some of the best places to elope on the West Coast, as well as recommendations for where to stay during your visit.

Best Places to Elope on the West Coast: Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada

Elope in the Desert: Joshua Tree, California

This National Park is one of the most popular locations for elopements in California. It offers desert landscapes, which are the ideal backdrop for your wedding photos. Sunrise or sunset are the best times of day to get married here, and they will help you avoid the hottest part of the day. The Wall Street Mill and Wonderland Wash Loop offers you a unique setting to act as your wedding photo backdrop. After the ceremony, head to this one-of-a-kind Casita, where you’ll enjoy immersing yourself in nature and using the outdoor hot tub.

Best Places to Elope on the West Coast: Sedona, Arizona

The red rocks of Sedona make a fantastic backdrop for any wedding ceremony, and it’s no surprise this is a popular location for elopements. Baldwin and Templeton Trail offers a short trail with light traffic that has a river on the journey that’s an ideal photo spot. For a romantic stay in Sedona, this Upper Level Apartment offers incredible views and modern accommodation.

Moab, Utah Elopements

With its amazing scenery and open spaces, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of backdrops during an elopement in Moab. Choose between waterfalls, canyons, arches, and mountains for your wedding photos. With quiet trails such as Cove of Caves, you can find stunning settings without the heavy crowds. Couples will enjoy staying in this Colorful Entrada that offers quiet and private lodging with a good location near the downtown.

Best Places to Elope on the West Coast: Catalina Island, California

One of the best places to elope on the West Coast (and the furthest West) Catalina Island is a perfect oasis and private getaway. For an empty beach for your elopement, consider heading to Lovers Cove on Catalina Island. The Hermit Gulch Trail allows you to escape the crowds while admiring the ocean down below. Following the ceremony, check into this Boho Chic Villa, which offers modern accommodation with stunning ocean views.

Elope in Death Valley, California

With one of the widest ranges of scenery on this list, Death Valley will be a striking backdrop to your big day. Choose from mountains, sand dunes, and salt flats, where you can capture unique photos like nowhere else. Panamint Dunes Trail offers a one-of-a-kind setting for your wedding, and the sand dunes allow you to capture artistic photos to remember your special day. To escape reality for a few days afterward, head to this remote Desert Escape.

Zion National Park, Utah Elopements

For couples who are looking for a stress-free wedding surrounded by nature, consider Zion National Park in Utah. While many of the trails here get very busy, Shelf Canyon Trail is a short trail that will allow you to escape the crowds. The Zion Suite offers you luxury accommodation decorated in the local style, which will be a great base for exploring the area during your honeymoon.

Best Places to Elope on the West Coast: Washington, Oregon, and Northern California

Mount Rainier, Washington Elopements

An ideal all year round spot to elope in, Mt Rainier offers forests, lakes, and stunning lookouts. With hundreds of trails to choose from, there’s a setting to suit every couple on their special day. The Golden Gate Trail offers a unique location for your summer elopement or photos afterward, although it can be a challenging trail for some hikers. Four Stone Lodge is a great accommodation choice for your elopement and will offer you plenty of privacy while still enjoying a good location near Mount Rainier.

Elope in Hurricane Ridge, Washington

As the most easily accessible area of mountains within the Olympic National Park, you can enjoy fantastic views and clear weather for a wedding ceremony here. Maiden Peak is a good option for hiking and can cater to all fitness levels. As far as somewhere to stay following your ceremony, this Creekfront Cabin is a unique option for you or your family to relax in after the big day. 

Elope on Ruby Beach

Located on the Olympic Peninsula, Ruby Beach offers a spectacular coastline background for your wedding ceremony and photos. This remote setting features moss-covered trees and never-ending sandy beaches. Ruby Beach is part of a 2.3 km trail located near Forks, and you’ll enjoy admiring the wildflowers on the route. Expect rustic accommodation in this area, such as this Cozy Riverside Cabin.

Best Places to Elope on the West Coast: Yosemite

As one of the most popular National Parks on the west coast, Yosemite offers great elopement locations and accommodation options. While many of the trails get extremely busy here in the peak season, Merced Grove Trail is a good option year-round, with lovely wildflowers. The Winnie A-frame is an ideal Airbnb to rent following the ceremony and is located close to Yosemite and Bass Lake.

Yellowstone Elopements

This iconic National Park offers geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and forests, all of which will make the perfect setting for your elopement. Mystic Falls is the ideal short out and back trail for your wedding and is suitable for all skill levels. For spacious accommodation featuring your own private hot tub, check out this Cabin, which can sleep up to twelve guests.

Best Places to Elope on the West Coast: San Francisco City Hall

If you are looking for a quiet location to elope in San Francisco, the San Francisco City Hall offers the perfect backdrop with plenty of hidden spaces for your ceremony. For a unique spot for photos following the ceremony, head to the Moraga Steps. San Francisco offers endless accommodation options, and this modern One Bedroom Apartment is ideal for couples.

Cannon Beach, Washington Elopements

The best time to elope at Cannon Beach is during sunset or sunrise on a weekday. Crescent Beach Trail will provide unspoiled scenery for your photos. Definitely come for sunrise, you’ll have more privacy. Hug Point near Cannon Beach is a popular spot for couples, with cliffs and a waterfall right behind you. This unique A-Frame House is the ultimate setting for your honeymoon, located right by the beach.

Rialto Beach Elopements

For an intimate wedding ceremony, Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park is the perfect spot to visit. Along Rialto Beach Trail, there are unique settings for your elopement, and a fun spot to hike during your honeymoon. Expect rustic accommodation, this Delightful Home set on acres of land sleeps up to ten people.

Best Places to Elope: Olympic National Park

As the only National Park in Washington that is open year-round, you’ll enjoy visiting Olympic National Park for your elopement. Enjoy backdrops of rainforest, lakes, and mountains, which will create a stunning background for your special day. This Beach Trail is open all year round and provides a dramatic backdrop for any ceremony. For a place to stay, this Cozy In-Town Retreat offers a good location and modern accommodation following your special day.

North Cascades National Park, Washington Elopements

If you are looking to escape and spend quality time together, nothing’s better than North Cascades. Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk features a beautiful river and minimal crowds for your ceremony or photos. Super adventurous? Following your wedding day, stay in this unique Yurt and immerse yourself in nature.

With so many incredible locations to choose from on the West Coast, your elopement options are endless. By choosing any one of these locations for your wedding, you’ll be guaranteed unique scenery for your elopement photos. If you’re still up in the air on whether an elopement is for you check out this article.