Southern California has so much to offer when it comes to picking that perfect spot for your elopement. Whether you are looking for a simple, romantic desert day in the sun or a tropical ocean oasis along the coastline, southern California has many options to consider. Not only are there incredible locations to capture your love story in, but it is an amazing place to elope in the winter and spring months and still have great weather with its mild temperatures and sunshine. Southern California also has picturesque National and State Parks that can often be overlooked which typically result in finding more remote areas yet still have breathtaking scenery and backdrops. So if you’re looking for a sun kissed celebration overlooking the crashing waves on the ocean or beautiful rock formations on the desert floors, look no further than some of California’s finest locations for your intimate elopement.

How to Decide Where to Elope in Southern California

Consider the time of year you are wanting to elope and what locations offer ideal weather or scenery during that season
Think about the kind of atmosphere, color palette, or vibe you are wanting to capture for your elopement
Research travel logistics (road tripping, flying, renting a car, lodging, etc.)
Make sure to see if a permit is necessary for the location you are eloping

Need more help figuring out details or deciding where to elope in Southern California? Keep reading and don’t hesitate to reach out to me at any time!

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Mojave Desert National Preserve

The Mojave National Preserve is one of the largest National Preserves in the continental U.S. It features rose colored sand dunes, volcanic cider cones, Joshua tree forests, and a vast landscape of canyons and mountains that offer an escape from civilization and into tranquility.

Best time to elope

The best seasons to Elope at the Mojave Desert would be fall and spring. The dunes and desert terrain start to get hot mid May and temperatures continue to rise throughout the summer months so eloping in the fall or spring would help avoid scorching heat, hot sand, and summer thunderstorms. In addition, the winters drop down to freezing temperatures and strong winds with rain and snow can be expected in the mountains. During the fall and spring, planning your elopement for early morning or evening is also a great way to avoid the heat of the day.

why mojave desert national preserve?

The Mojave Desert offers a tranquil, simple, yet awe-inspiring atmosphere for your desert elopement. The endless hills and canyons, neutral colors, and sandy rocky textures make for a warm and peaceful but bold statement for your elopement day. Run through the hills into the vast horizon or cuddle up on a blanket under the warmth of the sun on the sand- whatever your day entails, Mojave Desert will help create a beautiful and memorable elopement.

what to know

If you are also up for an epic desert adventure, the Mojave desert offers a wide array of recreation activities listed here such as four wheeling, hiking trails, horseback riding, biking, and more. You are also required to purchase a permit so make sure to check out the special event permit application on the National Parks website.

Catalina Island

Catalina Island is one of California’s channel islands spanning 22 miles and made up of two towns surrounded by rugged wilderness. The island is known for its dive sites, white sand beaches, and opportunities for both relaxation or adventure.

Best time to elope

With mild temperatures and sunshine usually year-round, Catalina Island is an incredible elopement destination for any season. One thing to keep in mind would be that summer is usually the busiest so if you are looking to avoid crowds, a winter, fall, or spring elopement would be ideal. In addition, May and June in Southern California are known for having more overcast conditions but typically burn off late afternoon just in time for the beautiful sunsets!

Why catalina island?

Catalina Island offers a wide range of elopement locations such as beaches, rugged hillsides, and coastal cliffs. The beach scenery and harbors on bright blue waters give a tropical, romantic, summer paradise feel for your elopement year-round. There are also luxury resorts, bed and breakfasts or glamping cabins to stay in if you’re looking for an all around tropical getaway experience for your elopement.

what to know

Not only can Catalina Island be a relaxing paradise, but make sure to check out the numerous adventures and activities they offer during your stay such as zip line tours, bison expeditions, ocean tours, and more! In addition, depending on where you decide to elope on the island you may need to purchase a permit if you tie the knot on a beach or outdoor location, but there are also many wedding venues to consider as well.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a desert wilderness of 800,000 acres with beautiful geologic features and vast serene desert scenery. It is home to a variety of unique plants and animals and offers a wide array of desert backdrops that will take your breath away.

Best time to elope

The best time of year to Elope in Joshua Tree would be October-May. In the fall, temperatures are more mild and you can avoid the scorching desert heat but still get beautiful sunny days. The winter days are shorter and cooler, but typically have less visitors and even has the possibility to snow at higher elevations. Joshua Tree in the spring is ideal as temperatures are moderate, wildflowers are beginning to bloom, days are longer and sunnier, and the natural beauty of Joshua tree is on full display. If you’re considering camping during your elopement as well, make sure to make reservations well in advance, as many campsites fill up fast, especially early fall and late spring.

Why joshua tree?

If you are wanting a warm and welcoming, minimal, desert-style elopement, Joshua Tree National park is your place to go. The large rock structures, desert plants and natural/ earthy color tones provide a beautiful atmosphere for minimal, bohemian, adventurous elopements. The surrounding area also has beautiful and inexpensive lodging to continue your desert-style elopement like this high desert modern casita, only a five minute drive from Joshua Tree.

what to know

Not only is Joshua Tree a stunning location to elope, but it also offers a variety of activities as well such as horseback riding, rock climbing, and biking. Check out the Top 10 Things to do in Joshua Tree here for more ideas and details/information. Also, if you are planning to elope in Joshua tree, you will need to purchase and apply for a wedding permit (permit information here) as the park requires a Special Park Use Permit.

southern california elopement photographer in joshua tree national park with rocks and palm tree oases in background — Your Southern California Elopement Videographer

In college I applied to a summer internship where I was placed working in San Diego, California. Growing up in Walla Walla, I quickly fell in love with easy access to the ocean and desert, summer nights watching sunsets on the beach, and most importantly fell in love with my future husband there. Southern California holds many fond memories and has a variety of beautiful locations to explore. Visiting multiple times a year, it has become my second home and where I spend most of my winters to escape the Seattle rain. One of the things I cherish is getting to share this special place with others using my passion and skills in videography & filmmaking to capture stories that show the beauty, wonder, and love that surrounds you in this season of life. Southern California is an incredible place to elope and create amazing memories in stunning locations that will last a lifetime.
Your Southern California Elopement Videographer,

Meet Kass

Contact Me to get your Southern California elopement planning started!

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Anza Borrego Desert is the largest State Park in California, only two hours east of San Diego. The rugged landscape was formed by forces of erosion and includes cool palm oases, twisting slot canyons, badlands, and is known as a premier site for sunsets and stargazing.

Best time to elope

October through April attracts a lot of out of state visitors to escape cold temperatures and enjoy California’s mild winter and early spring weather in the desert. As summer approaches, temperatures quickly heat up starting to hit triple digits. Anza-Borrego is very popular for its spring wildflowers covering the desert floors in March and April which create a bright and beautiful contrast to the sand colored hills that surround them.

Why ANZA-BORREGO DESERT?

These wide open valleys with desert floors and rocky textures make for a a perfect elopement destination for any desert loving outdoor enthusiast. With earthy neutral tones, unique and beautiful desert backdrops such as slot canyons, caves, and palm oases, the Anza-Borrego Desert gives a timeless, down to earth, minimal and bohemian desert style elopement.

what to know

Not only does this desert have beautiful views and incredible backdrops, but contains larger than life sculptures installed throughout the park along the road. Check out this map to know where to stop along the way! Anza-Borrego is also known for being an international dark sky park where they offer stargazing and moon watching programs as well as quiet solitude in an oases of darkness for stargazing with your loved one, the perfect ending to an Anza-Borrego elopement. The state park does require a permit for entering the park at certain locations with more information that can be found on the homepage of their webiste for the state park fee schedule.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is the largest U.S. national park outside of Alaska with 3,422,024 acres filled with salt flats, rugged mountains, winding canyons, and rolling dunes. With nearly 1,000 miles of paved and dirt road throughout the park, there are countless popular and remote spots to experience striking views, colorful geological formations, and scenic vistas.

Best time to elope

Death Valley is known for its extremely hot temperatures from May to September so eloping sometime between October and April would create the best experience unless you are looking for a sunrise elopement before the extreme heat during the summer months. Spring is the most popular time to visit as the temperatures are warm and the weather is typically sunny with the possibility of wildflowers blooming as well. Winter also offers a unique view of Death Valley with snow capping the high peaks and cooler temperatures during the day. For more seasonal information, check out the park's seasons page which also contains links to festivals, lodging, and more.

Why death valley?

Death valley gives off a gorgeous middle eastern look with its endless desert valleys, sand dunes, and beautiful vistas overlooking its expansive terrain. The three million acres really does provide ample opportunities to find remote spots for your elopement with your loved one as well as a variety of breathtaking backdrops that will create unforgettable images and memories. Whether you are wanting minimal and neutral, earthy desert tones along death valley’s dunes or colorful hillsides and more rocky terrain, Death Valley has so much to offer for a variety of elopement styles and locations. m

what to know

With over three million acres of wilderness, there is a long list of things to do within the National Park. From backcountry driving, night sky viewing opportunities to mountain biking, the park offers a wide range of activities to participate in during your elopement to get the entire Death Valley experience! In addition, you will need to make sure that you check the special use permits page on their website to apply for a wedding and ceremony permit for the park.

Red Rock Canyon State Park

Red Rock Canyon State Park is where the Sierra Nevada converges with the El Paso Range creating spectacular rock formations and canyons with vivid warm colors and dramatic shapes throughout the entire park. Though it is a smaller state park, it typically has less crowds and more opportunities both hiking and driving around the park to admire its astounding rock features and views.

Best time to elope

Similar to most desert locations, the summer months at Red Rock canyon reach triple digits and make for sweltering afternoons in the desert. The best months to elope would be October to May when temperatures are more mild so you can fill your day just as you imagined without melting in the summer sun. In addition, if you’re looking for a desert filled with blooming wildflowers, Red Rock Canyon is filled with a variety of colorful wildflowers from mid March to the beginning of May.

why RED ROCK STATE PARK?

Red Rock Canyon provides incredible scenery for a boldly warm, romantic, adventurous and intimate desert elopement. The large rock formations with their beautiful orange and red tones against the beige desert floor gives a warm and inviting feeling, making it the perfect place to tie the knot. This state park is also less well known compared to parks with similar rock features in Utah making it a peaceful and more remote location for your elopement, but still being able to capture the grand beauty of these unique rock structures as the backdrop to your special day.

what to know

Within the park there are a few easy and moderate hikes to explore the canyons and stop to see panoramic views for the park. A few hikes to keep in mind would be the Hagen Canyon Nature Trail, Red Cliff’s Trail, Ricardo’s Campground Loop, and Nightmare Gulch Loop Trail offering a range of different distances, vista points, and an up close look at the red rock, Joshua Trees, and desert cactus. Red Rock Canyon does require a special recreation permit for weddings/events as well as a fee for the permit and follow their rules and regulations listed on the website.

Sunset Cliffs & San Diego Coastline

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68 acre park stretching along the Pacific Ocean with expansive ocean views, coastal bluffs, caves, dramatic cliff formations. Sunset Cliff Boulevard also runs the entire length of the park for more breathtaking views and is well-know for the most stunning sunsets in San Diego.

Best time to elope in San Diego

Theres’s no bad time to elope at Sunset Cliffs or anywhere along the San Diego coastline, which has great temperatures and typically good weather year-round, but the ideal time to elope would be in the fall. There are far less summer visitors, you avoid the chilly coastal breeze that comes during the winter months, and won’t risk a possible gray day as the marine layer rolls in during May and June. If you elope during the summer months, I would suggest eloping on a weekday to avoid summer crowds. One thing to keep in mind for your day is that no matter what time of year it is, bring layers. The warm sunny days can be deceiving as temperatures drop in the evening due to the cool yet refreshing coastal winds.

why SUNSET CLIFFS & the San diego coastline?

The number one reason to elope at Sunset Cliffs or other San Diego beaches is the scenery along the coastline that provides an incredible backdrop year-round. If you are wanting a romantic, down to earth, beach style, summer feel elopement, look no further than Sunset Cliffs. The ocean overlooks, sound of crashing waves, palm trees on the rugged cliffs, and dreamy colorful sunsets make for an unforgettable beach elopement. Not to mention, the park is in close proximity to restaurants, shops, airbnb’s and must see San Diego attractions.

what to know

During your visit, make sure to check out some of Sunset Cliffs main attractions like Sunset Cliffs Cave, spectacular Luscomb’s Point, and Sunset Cliffs Beach. There is also a long list of things to do near Sunset Cliffs if you are wanting to tour a little more of San Diego’s attractions. Also note, Sunset Cliffs does require you to purchase a permit for your elopement unless you are going there just for elopement photos and do not have a wedding ceremony.