San Diego Elopement Guide + Locations ☀️

San Diego Elopement Guide + Locations

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Updated: Sept 10, 2024

read time: 23 min

Dreaming of a San Diego elopement? Known for its idyllic weather, endless sunshine, and a coastline alternating between rugged cliffs and palm tree-studded beaches, the laid-back beach towns of San Diego are the perfect place to get married! This ultimate guide will share tons of tips including the dreamiest San Diego elopement locations, best time of year to elope, and more!

What you’ll find in this San Diego Elopement Guide: 

Why You Should Elope in San Diego

Not sure if a San Diego elopement is right for you? Let’s see if any of these reasons help you decide!

Wonderful Weather

The weather in San Diego is pretty idyllic year round. Warm and sunny summer temperatures are in the 70s and 80s but even winter temps seldom dip below 60. If you’re looking for the perfect winter elopement getaway, elope in San Diego!

Vibrant Flora, Year Round

Any time of year, you’ll find greenery and beautiful flowers throughout San Diego’s beaches, parks, and neighborhoods. The vibrant flowers add so much beauty to the scenery, and the tropical plants give an exotic feel.

Delicious Food

San Diego has an abundance of delicious restaurants sharing cuisine’s from all over the world, as well as some local signature dishes that would be perfect for your elopement day. Whether you’re craving Asian or seafood, you’ll find it here! And with its proximity to Mexico (you could even pop over the border and explore Baja while you’re here), San Diego has some of the best Mexican cuisine.

Beautiful Beaches

Of course, some of San Diego’s best elopement locations are the beaches! In Southern California, you’ll find surfing beaches perfect for relaxing, along with rocky shores and cliffs to explore. The beaches are stunning year-round, making them some of the best places to elope in San Diego. You can even spot the adorable sea lions hanging out on rocks or playing in the water!

Retro Vibes

With that quintessential Southern California feel, San Diego is the dream elopement destination for beach babes and free spirits. Whether you’re looking for retro vibes or boho aesthetics, you can find it here! 

The Best Time to Elope in San Diego

There’s really no bad time to elope in San Diego! The weather is pretty mild year-round, although it does change slightly with the seasons. Here’s a little about each time of year, from personal experience:

Winter For Your San Diego Elopement

San Diego never gets frosty – January through March, while other locations are snowy, we still have sunny skies. If you want your elopement to be a winter getaway, San Diego is an incredible destination!

You can expect temps in the 60s, although many couples get lucky and catch the couple of 75-degree days each month! However, don’t underestimate the coastal winds. Especially if you’re out in the morning or the evening, you’ll want to add light layers to your elopement attire to keep warm. Winter sunsets in San Diego are some of the best all year, so you won’t want to miss the magic!

Spring For Your San Diego Elopement

A lot of the parks and beachside cliffs in San Diego are extra colorful March through June. The succulents are a vibrant green and the wildflowers bloom in different colors, making your elopement location scenery pop. Spring can be a great time to elope in San Diego before the biggest crowds come in the summer, and the weather is pretty mild. There is a chance of wind, but that can make for epic photos!

One thing to note about Spring is a phenomenon we locals call “May Gray” and “June Gloom.” This is when the marine layer creates a cloudy mist, causing overcast days. The “May Gray” rolls into San Diego late spring, and turns into “June Gloom” that lasts until around mid-June. You might think this isn’t ideal for your elopement, but this moody fog looks pretty cool and sometimes it even clears out for sunset!

Check out this Spring San Diego Elopement:

• Sophie + Eric

Summer For Your San Diego Elopement

Summer is by far the most popular season for tourism in San Diego, and you’ll see a lot more crowds out and about as well as higher prices for hotels and rentals. The weather is amazing, but with how busy it is (especially the beaches), it can be hard to find a private location for your elopement ceremony! I recommend skipping over eloping in July and August unless you’re willing to go off the beaten path to find peace and quiet.

Fall For Your San Diego Elopement

The summer tourists clear out after Labor Day, but the weather is still warm and sunny, perfect for your elopement. With the late arrival of fall, you can experience temperatures in the 70s & 80s until mid-November. With the majority of our trees being tropical and evergreen, we don’t have much color like you’d expect for a classic fall. Also keep in mind that September and October are the busiest months for weddings — which is why eloping on a weekday can help ensure you have your pick of vendors, even in the high season!

Fall is still our favorite time for a San Diego elopement because of the warm temperatures without the crowds!

Check out this Fall San Diego Elopement:

• Alana + Dustin

San Diego Elopement Locations:
The Wild & Free Way

The Wild & Free approach to curating San Diego elopement locations: 

If the Wild & Free way resonates with you, let us guide you to your dream elopement locations! 

San Diego Elopement Locations

Here’s the hardest thing about eloping in San Diego – deciding on just one place to elope! Don’t worry though, most of my couples choose an all-day elopement that provides them the opportunity to visit a multitude of locations and different types of scenery.

This is the place I call home, so I’ve spent tons of time exploring. Lucky for you, I’m happy to share! Here are a few San Diego elopement locations to consider for your day.

San Diego Elopement Locations:
Sunset Cliffs

There’s a reason this park makes it on all of the top places to elope lists, and why it’s one of my favorite San Diego elopement locations — it’s pretty magical!

Sunset Cliffs is an amazing location, but it can get pretty busy. I recommend eloping there on a weekday in the off season to give you a more private experience.

There’s also a secret little cove that I love taking couples to so they can avoid the crowds but still enjoy the magic of the landscape. And of course, we explore the many scenic cliff overlooks! Because of the nature of the landscape here, I recommend it for couples eloping without guests.

San Diego Elopement Locations:
Balboa Park

Another famous spot, Balboa Park, has to make the “top places to elope in San Diego” list. It is truly a beautiful location with its ornate buildings and diverse plant life. This huge park is the perfect blend of city and nature, and I’m certain you’ll find everything you want for your Balboa Park elopement!

San Diego Elopement Locations:
La Jolla

Rugged beach and absolute luxury meet to create the perfect La Jolla elopement experience! With all the fabulous dining and epic views, you can’t tell me this isn’t one of the best places to elope in San Diego! Also, this location is known for being a snorkeling hotspot, which I think is the perfect way to make your trip for your La Jolla elopement extra exciting.

I don’t recommend La Jolla Cove for your elopement because it’s a very tiny beach that is always full of people. Eloping in La Jolla Cove would mean zero privacy and tons of beachgoers and snorkelers in the background of your photos. However, I love several other beaches in the La Jolla area and have a favorite little cove I like to photograph couples in!

It’s important to note that, similar to Sunset Cliffs, La Jolla is a popular destination, so choosing off-season weekdays is important to keep this destination from feeling overcrowded.

San Diego Elopement Locations:
Coronado Island

Coronado is the most charming San Diego elopement location!

Coronado Island is the cutest little community, and I’ve had the privilege of spending a lot of time there so I know a Coronado Beach elopement would be incredible! You’ll want to check out the historic Hotel Del, walk up and down Orange Ave to see all the shops, and spend time on the soft sandy beaches! Rent a bike to really top off the charm factor, and if you’re considering a Coronado Beach elopement, I don’t think you can go wrong.

San Diego Elopement Locations:
Mission Trails Regional Park

This San Diego elopement location is such a beauty! I absolutely love the rolling hills in this expansive park and think they make the perfect backdrop for eloping. I just adore how the sun sets in Mission Trails Regional Park and lights up the stunning hills. Definitely consider this park on your list of places to elope in San Diego!

San Diego Elopement Locations:
Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines is famous for soooo many things already, but let’s add “ultimate San Diego elopement location” to its title! Totally stunning, and unique in its own ways, Torrey Pines would make a great spot for your elopement ceremony and photos!

Black’s Beach is one of the best places to elope in San Diego – located in Torrey Pines, this famous nude beach is packed with wonderful outdoor scenery! While I’m completely comfortable with nudity (I am an outdoor boudoir photographer, after all) I think it’s worth it to be open-minded about this location as the backdrop is remarkable cliffs and tall sandstone walls! So gorgeous! 

Heck, maybe this beach will inspire you and you’ll end up with a little skinny dipping to top off your elopement adventure. 😉

Places to Elope in San Diego County

Venturing a little outside of the main city yields lovely surprises! Whether you want to combine mountains with beaches, or forests with sand dunes, the entirety of San Diego County has the perfect elopement locations for you!

Places to Elope in San Diego County:
Carlsbad Cliffs

Up in the Northern part of San Diego County, Carlsbad Cliffs provides lovely sunsets, an adorable village for dining, and easy beach access. This is super close to my home in Oceanside and it’s one of the more chill places to elope in San Diego as tourism is lower outside of the big city.

Places to Elope in San Diego County:
Encinitas

Brimming with surfers, good vibes, and a laid-back atmosphere, Encinitas is an enchanting place to elope in San Diego County. The lush gardens and towering sandstone walls make for a breathtaking elopement location to exchange your vows. Plus, a hotspot for dining just blocks away makes for a complete experience!

Places to Elope in San Diego County:
Mount Laguna

For our mountain loving friends, Mount Laguna offers hikes with incredible views for sunset or sunrise just 1 hour from the city! Enjoy the fresh air and breathtaking views as your sole elopement location or combine it with the beach to have it all!

Places to Elope in San Diego County:
Julian

About an hour east of the city, Julian provides a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of it all. Famous for homemade apple pie you can find a rustic spot to enjoy some California mountain town history. Imagine the wind blowing through the tall grass, mountain views, and a quiet place to say your vows! That’s what Julian has to offer!

Another bonus: snow in the winter! If you’re looking for a “winter wonderland” feel, but close to the city, Julian may be the place for you!

Places to Elope in San Diego County:
Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Anza Borrego Desert State Park is technically still in San Diego County so I am going to happily put it on the list of elopement locations! I’m obsessed with Anza Borrego, especially in the spring! The wildflowers, the canyons, the mountain views –I love it all! 

Clocking in at 2 hours outside the city, this area can get pretty remote so if you are looking for off-beat desert vibes, this may be your spot!

Places to Elope in San Diego County:
Glamis Sand Dunes

Ok… this location is technically just outside of San Diego County, but I HAD to include it in this list of places to elope in San Diego, because it’s so dang fun. Glamis Sand Dunes are a 2.5-hour drive from the city but I say it’s super worth it for a little room to play and have a truly intimate elopement ceremony! 

San Diego Elopement Locations:
Secret Wild & Free Spots

I’m always keeping my eyes open for secret local spots to share with my elopement clients! I love finding those spots that aren’t all over the internet yet and enjoying nature without all the crowds, so get in touch to learn more about my special location lookbooks!

The Legal Stuff

Along with all the adventures and once-in-a-lifetime experiences you’ll have, there are also some logistics – also known as the legal stuff. Here’s what you need to get legally married when you elope in San Diego.

San Diego Elopement Permits

A lot of parks and outdoor recreation areas require a permit for an elopement ceremony! This depends on the exact San Diego elopement location you choose, whether it is city, county, or state owned land, and the specific rules of that park so be sure to do some research and see if you need one for your ceremony. 

But don’t worry, if you’re working with Wild & Free, our Location Lookbooks share permit info for each spot so you don’t have to dive into any research rabbit holes!

San Diego Marriage License

To get a marriage license, you’ll need to visit any county clerk’s office in California. If you live in the state, you can go to one close to home. If you’re building a pit stop into your travel plans, there’s an office in Downtown San Diego and Vista, and you can book an appointment online and complete the online application. Both partners must be present at the appointment and be sure to bring your photo IDs. After you get your marriage license, your ceremony needs to happen within 90 days. Watch the video for more info!

San Diego Wedding Officiant

To officially wed, you need an ordained officiant to sign your marriage license. There are two ways you can accomplish this:

✦ Hire a Professional Officiant: For those who envision a traditional wedding officiant to meet you at your elopement location and perform your ceremony — we have a San Diego Vendor Lookbook with a list of professional officiants you can hire.

✦ Have a Signature Wild & Free Ceremony: For those looking for an unconventional twist, we have a treat for you! The Signature Wild & Free Ceremony offers couples ultimate privacy and that “only two people in the world” feeling. Skipping the professional officiant means you get to design your own ceremony and maintain all the flexibility and spontaneity of a Wild & Free elopement day!

What is a Signature Wild & Free Ceremony?

We’re so glad you asked! The Signature Wild & Free Ceremony is one in which the couple designs and executes their own ceremony with minimal interference from their dual photographer-officiant. Here’s what that looks like for your San Diego elopement:

Sounds pretty rad, right?! Nearly all of our couples choose this style of ceremony and absolutely adore it!

What to do in San Diego for your elopement

Here’s what not to do when you elope in San Diego – reduce your elopement day to just a ceremony and a few photos. This is your wedding day! That’s a pretty big deal, and you should celebrate that with a day that reflects the two of you and the start of your marriage. You can do anything you want – but here are just a few ideas!

Have a Boho Picnic, for Two

I can’t think of a better activity than to enjoy a picnic for two on your elopement day! Whether it’s under the shade of a majestic tree for a midday snack or on the beach at dusk for hors d’oeuvres, have a boho picnic, complete with a blanket, decor, and delicious food set up for you for a truly unique experience!

The above boho picnic was set up by San Diego Picnics.
Other boho picnics in this post have been designed by Picnic by Nature.

More ideas…

• Go to IN-N-OUT
• Play in the water
• Have a first dance on the beach
• Go surfing
• Rent a vintage car
• Play with your dog
• Take a hike
• Go skinny dipping
• Have a movie night on the sand
• Go snorkeling
• Hire a private chef for a romantic dinner, for two
• and so much more!

Where to Stay for Your San Diego Elopement

You’ll find anything from campsites to luxury resorts in San Diego – so choose somewhere that will feel like a home away from home, so you love coming back after a day of exploring.

Pick a place that fits your vibe

San Diego offers it all, from high end hotels and trendy airbnbs to beach bungalows and Airstream glamping. What you want to keep in mind is that this location will be a part of you story (and a part of your photo gallery) so you’ll want to make sure it fits your personality, style, and vibe! Choose a place that you would enjoy seeing again as you relive your day in the coming years.

Opt for windows

Ahhh, there’s nothing like that ocean breeze! Not only can opting for a place with great windows help you enjoy the lovely coastal air, natural window light can make for some dreamy getting ready photos!

While you’re getting ready, lots of candid and detail photos are being taken to help tell the story of your day. Not to mention this is when hair, makeup, and outfits are most fresh which makes for a great time to take some window light portraits.

It’s ok to go big

It’s your wedding day, you can go a little crazy! Just because a place has more bedrooms than you might need for a “just us” wedding day, doesn’t mean it isn’t the perfect fit. Between set up for your hair + makeup team, room for photography, and needing to stay separate before your first look — I’m sure we’ll use that extra space.

Bottom line: If you find something that is all the right vibes, don’t hesitate to book it!

Choose your San Diego elopement location first

We recommend waiting to book your accommodations until after you’ve selected your elopement location in San Diego. The county itself is so large, it takes 2 hours to get from one corner to the other so, say, if you fall in love with one of our secret Wild & Free elopement locations (which are frequently off the beaten path) you might not want a downtown condo as your starting location.

It’s best to nail down your ceremony and portrait locations first to make sure your accommodations are within a reasonable distance.

San Diego Beach Elopement Tips

Your elopement is going to be so much different from a traditional wedding – that’s kind of the point, right? So for a San Diego beach elopement, there are a few extra things to think about!

Pick Good Shoes… or No Shoes

Nobody likes it when sand gets in your shoes (plus wet socks… no thanks)! And of course, high heels would make it nearly impossible to walk – so opt for something comfy, like sandals or flip-flops. Barefoot is always an option too, and nothing says boho and carefree like toes in the sand!

Embrace the Wind

Your hair isn’t going to stay perfectly placed – but that’s part of the magic! The coastal breeze will create a windswept look, but lean into it and embrace the mess. Your photos will show a gorgeous, carefree elopement day that looks completely authentic – because it should be!

Avoid Midday Sun

There’s nothing worse than harsh sun for photos – and you won’t like squinting into the light much either! At the beach, there often isn’t much tree cover or shade, so it’s best to head to the beach later in the evening. You can go somewhere woodsy first for some shade, then catch the sunset by the ocean!

We make a custom timeline for each couple to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your day and that the light is optimal for every part of your elopement!

Welcome the Water

The beach is a place to let loose and have a little fun! At minimum, expect to get the bottom of your dress or wedding outfits to get a little wet if you plan on visiting any sandy beaches during your day. Of course, you can always hop in for a super fun end to your day!

San Diego Elopement Inspiration

Alternative Locations to a San Diego Elopement

Love the coast and the beaches of San Diego, but not sure if it’s just right? Here are some other places to elope nearby!

Laguna Beach

Located in Orange County, Laguna Beach is a little farther north. It’s known for its caves and beaches, with tide pools, surf spots, and a boardwalk made for exploring the paths and gardens by the ocean. 

Malibu

Malibu is just west of Los Angeles, with luxurious places to stay, upscale amenities, and miles of cliffy coastline to explore! This is the ultimate “SoCal” experience, perfect for any elopement.

Santa Barbara

The Santa Ynez Mountains frame Santa Barbara, which features lovely Spanish architecture, stunning beaches to relax on, and a rich history!

The Cost of Eloping in San Diego

Eloping means you get to decide what matters to you, and what you want to spend money on! Your wedding day is absolutely worth investing in, but instead of paying for a bunch of stuff you’ll never see again, you can pay for an incredible experience. Here are a few things to consider as you craft your elopement budget!

• Travel – Do you need flights or transportation?
• Accommodations – You’ll need somewhere to come back to after your adventure so whether it’s a campground, trendy Airbnb, or an upscale resort, find something that fits your vibe!
• Meals – Don’t forget about food! You can pack a picnic, stop at a local eatery, or even hire a private chef.
• Marriage License – Fees vary by county, but average around $90 across the state.
• Wedding Permit – If you need a permit, depending on the park and area will average between $200-600.
• Wedding Attire – Dresses, suits, or whatever you’ll be wearing when you tie the knot!
• Hair and Makeup – You can totally do your own, but hiring a professional is so worth it and helps ensure things stay put throughout your adventure – this usually ranges from $300 to $1000.
• Florals – Add a bouquet, flower crown, boutonniere, or floral decorations to your day! A professional florist ranges from $300 to $1500.
• Photographer – Relive your memories over and over by investing in a photographer you love! Elopement photographer packages average from $4000 – $20,000

Why Have a Wild & Free Elopement?

Profound Intimacy & Heartfelt Vows

Carefree & Fun

Unique & Breathtaking

Ready to Elope Wild & Free?

We want to make sure your elopement is nothing short of incredible – which means that your day will be completely customized for you. From sharing the best places to elope in San Diego to crafting an unforgettable timeline, we’ve got your back! 

This is a day you’ll remember forever, so if you’re ready to elope Wild & Free, check out our San Diego elopement packages & get in touch!