Dreaming of an adventure-ish elopement in San Diego? In this guide, you will find all the details you need to plan the perfect adventure-ish elopement in San Diego, from legal requirements to the most epic locations.
San Diego has both stunning locations and amazing weather year round to do lots of activities on your elopement day experience. Whether you’re dreaming of saying “I do” in a stunning location like La Jolla or at one of the mountain spots like Mount Laguna, this guide will walk you through exactly how to plan your adventure(ish) San Diego elopement.
Quick Look: San Diego Elopement Guide
How to plan a san diego elopement
When to plan your San Diego elopement
Best time to plan your elopement: Sunrise vs sunset
The best locations to elope in San Diego
The best activities to do on your elopement
Why you should plan a full-day elopement
What a full-day elopement timeline can look like
Cool spots to stay in San Diego
How to get married in San Diego
Things to know (permits, tides,)
How to make your elopement day unique
San diego elopement packages
San Diego elopement photographer
When to plan your San Diego elopement
San Diego has perfect weather year round and you can elope there year round. But the best months to elope in San Diego are September through April. The off-season has perfect weather and less crowds. You also get the best sunsets and gloomy weather in May and June.
Best time to plan your elopement: Sunrise vs sunset
When creating your elopement timeline you get to choose if you want to elope at sunrise or sunset or both. Which is really better? It depends on the location you want to go to. For San Diego if you are wanting to elope at iconic spots like Sunset Cliffs, it’s better to elope at sunrise. Even for locations like La Jolla Cove, it is better to do it at sunrise. For lesser known locations or less popular spots like Julian, you can go for a sunset elopement.
You can always do both sunrise and sunset with a full-day or two day elopement package. In an 8-hour package you can split your day so you have 4 hours for sunrise elopement activity then 4 hours for sunset. In a full-day package, you can have an 8 hour sunset elopement and you have an extra 4 hours to use for the day before or after to do a sunrise activity or another sunset activity if you choose.
The best activities to do on your elopement
San Diego has a variety of activities you can do that isn’t the typical like surfing. You can actually do more activities at the beach and even away from the beach. Your elopement day is more than just saying your vows and getting photos of the ceremony. When you add activities it actually adds to your experience which makes it more memorable. So, when you are planning an activity here’s a few things to brainstorm,
What activities or routines do you already enjoy doing together?
What activities do you want to try together?
Think of it kindof like you are planning your perfect date activities but it’s your elopement day.
You get to choose how epic you want your day to be, so here are a few ideas:
San Diego elopement Ideas:
1)Beach Activities
Have a luxury picnic overlooking the ocean
Horseback riding to the beach
Ride bikes or beach cruisers around the shore
Take a walk down La Jolla Shore
Explore caves and nooks at La Jolla Cove
Have a cake picnic at sunset
Have tacos or favorite food on the beach
Fly kites
2)Easy Activities – Getting Ready
Get ready together
Write vows together
Make a DIY drink
Play board games / card games
Make puzzles
Read a favorite book together
Do a gift exchange
Cake cutting
Make a simple breakfast together
Have coffee together
Do an artsy or crafty activity
3)Water Activities
Kayaking at Mission Bay or at La Jolla
Canoeing
Stand-up paddle boarding
Go for swim
4) More Ideas
Sunset boat tours
Stop for ice cream
hike – tons of coastal bluff trails in La Jolla and in North County
local art galleries
Go to an arcade
Whale watching
Go to an animal petting farm – for the animal lovers
These are just ideas to inspire you so if something resonates you can add it to your day or you can do something else that’s super cool that might not be on this list. You get to choose what you want and how you want to celebrate your day.
Why you should plan a full-day elopement
A full-day elopement is not 8 hours straight of photo like a photoshoot. It is a way to intentionally celebrate your elopement day and do really unique and epic activities along with having an amazing elopement ceremony. Here’s a few reasons why you should have a full-day elopement;
1) Buffer time
With an 8-hour timeline you get plenty of buffer time which means no rushing! Which means you get to have a slow and intentional day and you also get extra flexibility. This allows you to add more locations if you choose or change the timeline if needed on the day of. So, you get room to breathe but also room to change things up on the day of. You can also do your activities without rushing from one to the other.
2) More Activities
You can do 3 to 5 activities and really have an adventurous day. When I say adventurous I don’t mean super spontaneous and adrenaline heavy activities. I mean you get to do multiple activities that you enjoy and add variety to your day.
3) Explore More Locations
Something about San Diego is the locations can be further apart like Sunset Cliffs is a bit of a drive from a location like Torrey Pines. With a full-day elopement timeline you have buffer time to drive from place to place so you can explore more locations.
4) Less Stress
It’s amazing to get extra time and flexibility but what’s the best thing about having a full-day elopement is it is less stressful. You don’t have to worry so much about what time you need to get to location 1 and then what time your activities need to end by,etc you will have plenty of time, there is no rushing whatsoever so you can have a stress-free day that lets you focus on just your connection and enjoy every little moment together. So, less stress and more joy and connection!
The best locations to elope in San Diego
San Diego has the beautiful coastal spots, mountains, architectural spots and more. Choosing your San Diego elopement location will come down to what resonates with you and what spots you are excited to explore together.
The Beach Spots
There are a ton of beautiful beaches to have your ceremony. Some of my favorite spots are,
Torrey Pines state beach and reserve: this spot is so dreamy especially at golden hour. This is where I would recommend sunset vows or portraits.
Carlsbad Cliffs: I would recommend this spot if you want something a little more unique.
Moonlight beach: this is in Encinitas and it’s close to shops and restaurants so it’s perfect for the couples that want variety.
Windansea Beach: This is one of my favorite spots in La Jolla, it is amazing for a ceremony and a picnic around sunset.
La Jolla Cove: I love this spot for something more adventurous because there are so many coves and little nooks to explore.
There are so many more especially in places like Encinitas, Del Mar and Carlsbad. As your San Diego elopement Photographer I help with location scouting so you only get the best locations. I also get to know you so we can choose a spot that really feels right for you, together.
The Mountains
Although the coast is super stunning and the biggest attraction in San Diego. You will still find mountain spots that are perfect for an adventure elopement. There are spots like Palomar Mountain, Mount Laguna, and Cuyamaca in Julian.
If you want to do a little hiking and say your vows with a mountain backdrop, you could still do that in San Diego. For spots like Julian, it is a further drive of about 2 hours if you don’t mind the drive.
Other spots that are further away but perfect for a mountain elopement are Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead. If you want a waterside elopement without going to Norcal then these spots would be perfect for you.
Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo is one of my favorite spots, it’s in Point Loma and it’s such an under-rated but beautiful spot to elope. This location gives you epic views of the ocean and you still get the cliffs like Sunset cliffs. I also love the Old Point Loma lighthouse to get some cool photos with the lighthouse in the backdrop or some photos inside of the lighthouse. There is a cool spiral stair and it’s so perfect for photos.
Permits are required for this spot, it is $100 and must be submitted at-least 21 days before your elopement date. Check out the guidelines and a step-by-step guide to get your permits here.
What a full-day elopement timeline can look like
An 8-hour elopement is not an 8-hours long photoshoot. You get to plan your day around activities you enjoy and you are excited to do. Maybe your day could look like a slow morning, sharing a drink on the dock of your Airbnb then getting ready together, then stopping by a bakery spot then heading to your ceremony location and having a celebratory picnic after and watching the sunset together. Here’s a sample Sunset cliffs elopement timeline:
1:00p Photographer arrives at Airbnb
1:00p detail photos
1:30p Get ready together
2:00 write vows together
2:30 Make your own drinks (diy)
3:30p Enjoy drinks on dock
4:00p head to kayak rental location / location 1
4:25p arrive at Kayak rental + pick up rental
4:40 kayak at Mission Bay and hangout
5:30p return kayaks + down time to relax
6:00p head to Sunset Cliffs / location 2
6:25p Arrive at Sunset Cliffs
6:45p Vows
7:00p newlywed portraits
7:25p Cake cutting + down time to enjoy the moment
8:00p head back to Airbnb
8:30p Arrive at Airbnb
8:30p sign marriage certificate + read letters from loved ones
9:00p end of session
In this sample timeline there are a couple of quick activities combined with longer activities. At the start of the day, a simple activity is having a drink on the dock, writing vows together before getting ready together. Then later add in a longer activity that allows you to slow down like kayaking. There are kayaking spots at Mission Bay but also La Jolla, La Jolla shores is a great spot for kayaking or riding beach cruisers along the shore. After the longer activity there is buffer time to return the kayaks and have some private time together to unwind before heading to the ceremony spot. A ceremony at Sunset Cliffs is always going to be beautiful, especially if it’s at sunrise or on a weekday, when it is less crowded. After the ceremony, adding in a picnic is a great activity that lets you celebrate your day but also have time to connect and really take it all in as you watch the sunset together. Reading letters from loved ones at the end of the night is also a sweet and meaningful way to end your elopement day for the couples that are eloping just the two of you. It’s an easy way to include your family on your elopement day.
Your elopement timeline doesn’t have to be super jam packed with activities, a full day elopement lets you be more intentional, be more in the moment and slow down.
This Airbnb is perfect if you want your stay to feel like a mountain retreat. You get stunning views, a patio and a hottub. You can start your day sharing coffee on the patio or writing your vows together while also taking in the views. Then you can head to the beach for your ceremony.
This is like a dream beach house, I love the layout as a former interior designer. But the best part about this stay is the close proximity to the beach, you can just walk right down to the beach. There are also coffee spots near by like Bird Rock Cafe.
This is in Bird Rock in La Jolla, it’s a unique stay and is close to everything. Having a stay in La Jolla if you’re eloping in spots like Windansea Beach or Torrey Pines is perfect because you don’t have to deal with the traffic of coming to La Jolla or leaving. It gets extremely busy on the roads especially during the day.
Tips For Choosing Stay:
I would recommend choosing to stay close to the locations you are having your ceremony and activities because some spots are far out from eachother and it can be an hour in-between locations. The highways can also have very slow traffic, it’s not LA bad but still very heavy traffic.
How To Get Married In San Diego
Before you start planning your dream ceremony, understanding the eloping in San Diego requirements is essential. California has straightforward marriage laws that make the process relatively simple:
Valid government-issued photo ID required for both parties
Marriage license costs $70 (cash only)
No waiting period – you can marry immediately after obtaining your license
License is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance
How To Make Your Elopement Day Unique
Your elopement day does not have to look like what you see on Instagram. The key is to make it more personalized to who you are as a couple. Here are a few ways to make your elopement day unique;
Choose your location intentionally: when you search for “san diego elopement” on google you will get the most popular spots. If you go on Chatgpt and ask it for the best locations, it will also give you the most popular spots. But you can choose your location not because it’s popular but actually choose a place that has meaning for both of you or maybe a place you both just love.
Add your favorite activities: Your elopement day is more than just getting photos of the ceremony, you are starting a new chapter together and why not start it doing some epic fun activities together!! It doesn’t have to be adrenaline heavy, it can be going to a favorite coffee spot, going to a favorite park, eating your favorite food, or any activity you both enjoy doing together.
Personal details: this can be personalized vow books, writing personal vows, maybe mugs with your names and wedding dates or even adding personal details on a bouquet.
Tips for Out-of-State Couples
If you’re traveling to San Diego for your elopement, these tips will help ensure everything goes smoothly:
Plan Ahead:
Schedule your marriage license appointment online
Ship wedding attire to avoid travel wrinkles
Research backup indoor venues for weather contingencies
Book accommodations early, especially during peak season
Local Vendor Recommendations: Work with vendors who understand elopement needs and can provide comprehensive services that minimize your planning stress while maximizing your celebration.
San Diego Elopement packages
San Diego is one of the best spots to plan an intimate elopement in Southern California. My packages start at $4,200 for 4 hours. I normally would recommend the 8 hour package for the couples that want to add acivities and have a slow and intentional day. The full day is also perfect if you want to go to multiple 2+ locations.
Next Steps : Planning Your San Diego Elopement | San Diego Elopement Photographer
As a San Diego based elopement photographer I help couples with creating a personalized timeline, find the best fit locations, and I handle logistics and checking tides for you! Ready to start planning your dream San Diego elopement? Let’s connect.
