For those of you who love the ocean, what better way to plan your special day than by eloping on the beach? The West Coast is full of beautiful location options, so in this blog I’m sharing a few of my favorites from Washington, Oregon, and California.

Eloping on the Beach: Washington State

Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is one of my all-time favorite beaches along the Washington coast! It’s located within Olympic National Park, and its unique driftwood and sea stacks make it a truly beautiful place to elope. And whether you have a stunning sunset elopement or an elopement day with questionable weather, it will be beautiful.  I’ve enjoyed every session and elopement I’ve done there and highly recommend it if you’re hoping to elope in Olympic National Park.

Cape Disappointment

Located on the southernmost part of Washington’s coast, Cape Disappointment will do anything but disappoint when it comes to eloping on the beach. This area is a gorgeous peninsula with a lighthouse you can visit and trails to explore. If you’re looking for a bit more privacy for your elopement, you can take the Cape Disappointment Trail to Dead Man’s Cove. It’s a secluded cove that would make the perfect spot for an intimate beach elopement. 

Cape Disappointment is also not far from Long Beach, if you wanted to explore that area as well!

Eloping on the Beach: Oregon 

Ecola State Park

Ecola State Park is between Seaside and Cannon Beach and absolutely stunning. Whether you want to get married along the water, atop the cliffside or within the forest, there are options for everyone. If you have children, they will love climbing the rocks and playing in the coves. 

Hug Point State Recreation Site

Hug Point is a great option for eloping on the beach near Cannon Beach. It’s just as beautiful of a location, but with less crowds. If the Cannon Beach area has been on your mind for your elopement, I’d recommend looking into this location to get a little more intimacy out of your day.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Wanting something truly unique? Then Samuel H. Boardman State Park is it! Located in southern Oregon, it’s not as frequently traveled as other beaches in the state, making it a more intimate option. Its rugged shoreline, unique sea stacks, and naturally forming arches make this place truly one-of-a-kind. 

Eloping on the Beach: California

Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg is an area definitely worth considering for if you’re looking for a location in California. There are many beautiful beach spots and there’s lots to do around the area! It is also where Glass Beach is located, the unique beach known for its colorful shores of glass that have been refined by ocean waves to resemble pebbles. 

Big Sur

Big Sur is home to several beaches, dramatic cliffs, and breathtaking views. For eloping on the beach, you can’t go wrong with choosing a spot in this area. It’s stunning and there are lots of great places to stay and things to do nearby.

Eloping on the beach is a really unique and special experience. Whether you’re looking for something secluded with coves, or a more open beach, the West Coast has anything you might be looking for. I hope these ideas give you a good starting point for planning your elopement.

Not seeing one that catches your eye? Thankfully there are so many more beautiful locations on the West Coast, and as an MMP client you will receive a custom location list based on your elopement vision. Let’s talk soon about bringing it to life!