Six California Elopement Locations

I spent some time living in California back in 2016, and it was the most magical experience of my life.  A place I hold dear to my heart.  So I wanted to dedicate this post to California, and share some ideas on some of the best elopement locations, specifically in Southern California, near Los Angeles.

CO-VID has barged in and decided to stay, therefore elopements have come up more and more in the wedding industry.  Giant parties are being substituted for smaller, intimate gatherings.  Guest lists are being cut in half, if not all the way.  Venues are being swapped for backyards, beaches, places where people can social distance outdoors.  However, sometimes less is more!  The intimacy that comes from elopements is such a strong feeling, it truly allows you to be present the entire day without a worry in the world.  In the end, it’s not about the wedding, it is about the love that you two share.  It is about saying forever to your best friend!

So let’s chat about some great elopement locations located in California.

I will say ahead of time, please make sure you check into all of these locations below before eloping.  Some of them require permits, insurance, etc. so you want to check in before deciding on the location.

 

California Elopement Locations:

 

 

El Matador Beach Elopement

When it comes to having a California elopement; beach, cliffs, rocks, come to mind a lot of the time.  The cliffs are incredible in Southern California, especially at El Matador.  El Matador is located in Malibu, about 10 miles North on PCH from downtown.  After a bit of a steep, yet well worth it, walk, you will find all types of rocky fixtures sitting on the beach.  These make for incredibly unique photographs for a ceremony.  You can say I do on the beach or opt for on top of the cliffs that overlook El Matador!

 

Point Mugu State Park

Point Magu is located in the Santa Monica Mountains, with over 60 miles of hiking trails.  You will find rocky mountains, sand dunes and even two amazing river canyons all within these mountains.  Depending on the time of year, Point Mugu State Park can be found covered in wildflowers!  So you definitely have a TON of options that are all equally beautiful!

 

Malibu Creek State Park

Just 25 miles from Los Angeles you will find this gorgeous park where there are a ton of hiking options.  If you are looking to hike to the top of a mountain for your elopement, then this is definitely the place for you!

 

Palos Verdes Estates

A place to go where you can see for miles and miles and miles.  From Santa Monica, to Malibu, to downtown LA.  The views that are found in Palos Verdes Estates cannot be beat.  While this is a little bit more of a non-traditional location, the trails within Palos Verdes Estates make for incredible ceremony locations.

 

And if you want to travel a little down South (trust me it’s worth it)…

 

Sunset Cliffs Elopement

Sunset Cliffs… one of the most gorgeous locations, especially during sunset (obviously).  About two hours South of Los Angeles, are some of Southern Californias most incredible views.  Choose to elope overlooking the cliffs, or if you’re looking to take a bit more of an adventurous elopement style, hike down the cliffs onto a beach within the cliffs.  Sunset Cliffs is 100% a location where you do need a permit, so make sure you obtain one!

Find more information  here  about Sunset Cliff California Elopements.

 

La Jolla Elopement

La Jolla is located in San Diego, which is filled with a ton of elopement locations!  Choose from parks such as Calumet Park, Cuvier Park, and La Jolla Shores.  Calumet Park is a grassy, cliffside park that has a perfect beachfront view without having to go onto the actual beach.  Cuvier Park is tucked away in the bluffs of central La Jolla.  You have a few options at this park for a sand ceremony or a beautiful coastal cliff view.  Lastly, La Jolla Shores!  Usually at La Jolla Shores, you can only have an elopement from Labor Day to Memorial Day, as the summer is super busy for the La Jolla Shores, but these gorgeous ocean views make for an amazingly romantic elopement backdrop!

This is just a small list of Southern California elopement locations for the couples that are looking to cut the list and intimately celebrate saying forever with just each other, and maybe a few close loved ones.

 

 

 

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