The Best Elopement Locations for California Redwoods

Have you been brainstorming where exactly you would love to exchange heartfelt vows and promise your life to your favorite person & have stumbled upon an ethereal forest feeling? There is something so calming about being immersed in a forest, especially the iconic Redwood forests that California boasts. Home to some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world, these forests are truly a sight to see. The scenery makes you feel both tiny and larger than life, all while evoking a serious emotion of peace.

There are multiple parks across the state of California to see these magnificent trees. This post contains all my favorite parks where you can elope among the giants with further details on each spot!

couple kissing in redwoods forest on elopement day

The Best Redwood Locations

Redwoods National + State Parks

Redwoods National & State Parks have to be some of my absolute favorite for getting married among the famous redwoods. The area is incredibly remote and there is so much to see (including the epic Oregon Coast!). There are also much less people compared to other parks on this list given how far from major cities these parks are.

The parks that make up Redwoods National & State Parks are: Redwood National Park, Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

To read more in detail about eloping here, check out my blog post on how to elope in Redwood National Park (I cover all the parks listed above in this blog post!)

Sequoia National Park

The Sequoia trees located in Sequoia National Park are truly a different level—the incredibly giant trees with their vibrant red-orange hue are quite a sight to see. However, this park does get quite busy during peak travel seasons and times. I would highly suggest choosing a weekday at either sunrise or sunset during the off season for the most secluded experience.

Big Sur

Big Sur, famous for its dramatic ocean cliff sides, incredible hiking trails, mountain views, pristine coastline, and boasting wildlife, also offers redwood trees! Most people overlook this part of the coast when visiting. How amazing to be able to see not only serene redwood forests, but also beautiful ocean cliff sides and pristine beaches—all within the same day?!

To read more in detail about eloping here, check out my blog post on how to elope in Big Sur.

Yosemite National Park

Most known for the incredible mountain views, dramatic cliff sides, and gushing waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is one of the most iconic sights to see across the world. However, many don’t know that you can also see redwood forests inside this iconic national park as well! This means this area is less frequented, giving you a more secluded experience for your ceremony. Then, afterwards, you can venture off to some more of the iconic sights like Yosemite Valley or Glacier Point.

*Given the popularity of the park, I would highly suggest choosing a weekday at sunrise or sunset during the off season to elope here.

To read all about eloping here, check out my blog post on how to elope in Yosemite National Park.

Muir Woods

Located just minutes outside San Francisco, you’ll find Muir Woods National Monument. The park offers incredible sights of centuries-old redwoods all while staying close to the city. The park is popular, but it’s a great option for couples looking to stay close to a major city!

Santa Cruz Mountains

The Santa Cruz mountains on California’s Central Coast offer another incredible redwoods elopement location. Big Basin State Park is California’s oldest state park, with some of the best views of the old growth forests. You’ll also see ocean views, waterfalls, and lush greenery!

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Humboldt State Park is located close in between Redwood National Park and San Francisco/Sacramento. Since it’s a bit closer to cities than Redwood National Park, it tends to be a bit more crowded but still have less crowds than other popular spots like Muir Woods and Sequoia National Park.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping in the Redwood Forests

In short, many of the locations listed above are beautiful year round! There are some considerations to take into account like weather and crowds.
Spring
The rainy season usually continues through April, but May can be a really great time if you’re trying to avoid crowds and rain. Usually the temps reach high 50s making it really temperate for hiking. There does tend to be more fog along the coast, but this makes for some really mystical views.
Summer
Summer is by far the most popular time to visit the redwoods! These months are dry and warm. June does still have fog like listed above, but it usually clears out by July. If you choose this time frame to elope, choose a weekday at sunrise or sunset on less frequented trails for a more secluded experience.
Fall
Fall is one of my favorite times to elope in the redwoods. September offers warm, sunny weather without all the summer crowds, so you can get the opportunity to explore without running into too many people! Rainy season usually begins in October, so be prepared for some slightly unpredictable weather in the fall.
Winter
Winters are rainy in the redwoods, so while temperatures are usually in the 40s and 50s, the rain can make it a little more difficult to explore outside. This does mean that the redwoods are much less busy in the winter, so if you don’t mind drizzle you can bring an umbrella and enjoy crowd free parks!
In short, yes! You will likely need to acquire a Special Use Permit from the corresponding park you choose to elope in. Each park is different in the process of how to obtain this and cost, but this is where I come in! I offer step-by-step instructions on how to apply for your Special Use Permit once we choose a location for your ceremony.
To get married in the state of California, you will need an ordained officiant present and one witness to sign off on your marriage license. However, I am an ordained officiant myself and offer this service complimentary to all of my couples if they would prefer to have a self uniting ceremony.

couple hugging in redwood forest on wedding day

Redwoods Elopement Packages

Are you 100% set on getting married in the Redwoods?! One of the big steps is to pick a photographer to document your special day. I’m a West Coast photographer specializing in adventure elopements in locations just like the Redwoods I work very closely with all my couples to offer customized planning assistance in their day.

Full Day Packages

8 hours, 12 hours, or 2 Day Elopement Photography
A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
- Personalized elopement location recommendation list
- Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
- Custom-built-for-you elopement timeline
- Assistance to help you with permits and licenses
- 90+ page elopement planning guide with my best tips & tricks
- Optional complimentary officiant services
Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
5-7 day sneak peeks
Travel fees to anywhere in California are already included

Starting at $4000

Video Add-Ons

Looking for video of your elopement without hiring a separate elopement videographer? I’m now offering the following options of video add ons to your elopement packages: