If you’re dreaming of a redwood elopement, California has some of the most breathtaking locations! Whether you’d like to have a coastal elopement or be near the city, the state’s redwood forests provide an incredible backdrop for adventurous lovers wanting to get married surrounded by nature.
But with so many beautiful locations for you to choose from, how to find the perfect fit? In this blog, I’ll walk you through some of the best redwood elopement locations in California to help you find the one for you!
Big Sur Redwood Elopement Locations
Big Sur is one of California’s most iconic elopement destinations, where rugged coastlines meet majestic redwoods. If you’re planning a slightly larger celebration with 20-30 people, Big Sur has several intimate venues nestled among the redwoods:
Henry Miller Library
The Henry Miller Library, nestled among the redwoods, is perfect for smaller ceremonies with up to 30 guests. The library’s redwood grove offers a whimsical, artsy vibe, ideal for couples who want something unique and slightly offbeat. You can also have a larger celebration of up to 150 people there if that’s more your vibe!
Pros: A very one-of-a-kind secluded setting, beautiful redwood grove, easy access to the shuttle.
Cons: They do not allow tents on site, elopement on site is only allowed for up to 2 hours, so you’ll have to have more things planned to extend your day.
Guest Capacity: up to 30 for elopements, but can have larger weddings of up to 150 people.
Ventana Big Sur
Ventana is an upscale venue nestled in the redwoods. Here you can have your ceremony surrounded by giant trees. Celebrate in style with spa amenities, sound baths, morning yoga, and more. Ventana offers two private Redwood Ceremony locations
Nestled under old-growth redwoods, this majestic quiet space tucked away from the crowds is perfect for a group of up to 10 people
Located in the center of the resort, the Redwoods Cathedral is a larger space under the trees that can fit up to 100 people. This is great for accessibility, larger groups and a secluded natural setting.
Pros: Private, luxurious setting, high-end amenities, stunning views.
Cons: Can be pricey, a popular venue so early booking is essential.
Guest Capacity: up to 25 for elopements & intimate weddings, but can have larger weddings of up to 175 people.
Post Ranch Inn
Post Ranch Inn is another high-end option that provides a mix of coastal views and redwood forest. It’s ideal for couples who want to experience both the redwoods and the ocean without having to choose between them
Pros: Combines coastal and redwood scenery, luxurious amenities, and intimate setting.
Cons: On the pricier side, very limited availability.
Guest Capacity: Various packages starting from just the 2 of you and up to 20 people.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Lodge
For a more laid-back yet still beautiful option, consider Pfeiffer Big Sur Lodge. This venue is perfect for couples who want to keep things simple and natural while still having the convenience of on-site lodging for you and your closest loved ones if you choose to bring guests.
Pros: Rustic charm, on-site lodging.
Cons: Slightly less privacy compared to other more secluded locations.
Guest Capacity: Perfect for your elopement and larger weddings of up to 120 people.
Julia Pfeiffer Redwood Forest
Located within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, this redwood forest offers a serene and majestic setting for your elopement. Here you’ll be surrounded by these ancient giants, some over a thousand years old, as well as lush ferns and other greenery. The campground and lodge are located in this area.
A bunch of areas are currently closed in the Park because of safety concerns and renovations, so check in with this site for updates!
Best Time to Elope in Big Sur: It’s beautiful here all year round. Big Sur is covered in microclimates, so the weather can be unpredictable. You’ll need to layer up and have a backup plan ready to go (like one of the above-mentioned venues!).
Overall, spring offers vibrant wildflowers, peak waterfalls, and mild weather, while summer provides warmer temperatures but can be foggy along the coast. Fall is ideal for clear skies and fewer tourists, and winter brings the big waves and lush green landscapes, though it can be rainy and very windy.
These venues provide the perfect balance of privacy and accessibility, allowing you to enjoy the redwoods without needing to hike deep into the forest. But you absolutely can if you want to! If you’ve decided to elope here, you’ll like my Big Sur elopement guide!
San Francisco Redwood Elopement in Muir Woods
Muir Woods offers a serene redwood forest experience just a short drive away from San Francisco. It’s a great option if you want to combine your elopement with a city adventure.
There are 3 ceremony sites available for your day here:
- Bohemian Grove (10 people max)
- Founders Grove (30 people max)
- Fern Creek (30 people max).
Pros: Proximity to San Francisco, beautiful redwood groves, peaceful setting
Cons: It can get super busy and therefore weekend and holiday weddings aren’t allowed between March 15th and October 15th (weekday weddings are okay though, and I always recommend weekday elopements anyway!)
Best Time to Elope in Muir Woods: The best time would be early fall as this is when it’s the warmest and a little less fog than you’ll find during the summer months. Summers are also great because they don’t have as much rain as the other seasons, but it’s very foggy! Although fog brings its own magic to your photos!
Santa Cruz Coastal Redwood Elopement Locations
Santa Cruz is another beautiful elopement location that combines the redwoods with the charm of the coast. There are several stunning redwood elopement locations here for your big day.
Waterfall Lodge
Nestled on 80 acres of beautiful property, this venue offers a stunning setting among the redwoods with the added magic of a nearby waterfall. Here are beautiful clearings, the Mother Tree to change your vows beneath, and the Waterfall Lodge itself. The Lodge is wonderful for larger groups who want a natural space all to themselves. Guests are able to stay in their own cabins on the property. Make a wonderful weekend out of your celebration!
Pros: Beautiful waterfall feature, secluded setting, perfect for a weekend getaway
Cons: Can be challenging to book, especially during peak season
Guest Capacity: Up to 150 people
Sparrow Valley Retreat
For a cozy, rustic elopement, Sparrow Valley Retreat offers an intimate redwood grove perfect for elopements and intimate weddings. It’s a charming venue with a very personal touch, ideal for a relaxed and laid-back celebration.
Pros: Rustic and cozy, lots of amenities available.
Cons: No covered outdoor spaces, the venue is off-grid (can be a con for some people!).
Guest Capacity: Up to 120 people
Sand Rock Farm
Sand Rock Farm is a historic venue that combines vineyard views with towering redwoods, providing a unique backdrop for your elopement. It’s great for couples who want a mix of wine country and redwood forest.
Pros: Unique combination of vineyard and redwoods, beautiful historic site
Cons: You have to work with their preferred vendors for catering, sound/music and floral decor, which can be a downside for people wanting to bring their own. You CAN choose your photographer though, wink wink!
Guest Capacity: Elopement and intimate wedding packages for up to 30 people, and larger weddings for up to 120 people.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is perfect for couples who want a simple yet stunning elopement in nature. Here you’ll find beautiful redwood groves with easy access to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk if you’d like to head out for a fun post-ceremony celebration.
Pros: Gorgeous redwoods, close to the beach and boardwalk, easy access
Cons: You have to watch out for poison oak!
Guest Capacity: Up to 20 people at the reservable Redwood Grove or 150 people at the picnic area.
Best Time to Elope in Santa Cruz: Late spring to early fall will bring the best weather, and the rest of the year has the least crowds. But it’s a great elopement location throughout the year. You might want to watch out for November as that is the rainiest month.
Humboldt County Redwood Elopement Locations
Humboldt County is home to some of the most awe-inspiring redwoods in California. The redwoods are peaceful and less crowded than other locations in the area.
Drury-Chaney Trail
The Drury-Chaney Trail, located in the northern part of Humboldt is a beautiful, lush redwood forest area. With all the ferns and grassy fields it’s so incredible and green!
Pros: It’s a fun easy hike, beautiful redwoods.
Cons: Can get very crowded and the location requires getting a park monitor even if you’re eloping.
Guest Capacity: Up to 10 people.
Williams Grove
Williams Grove is another beautiful option within Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The grove is spacious enough to accommodate a small group of guests while still maintaining a sense of seclusion. It’s also near the Avenue of the Giants!
Pros: Even though it can get crowded, it’s easy to find a quiet spot.
Cons: Only available mid-May to mid-September, and it’s one of the more crowded areas.
Guest Capacity: Up to 100 people.
Best Time to Elope in Humboldt County: This one is another location that’s available for elopements all year round! Spring is good for lesser crowds and nature coming to life. Summer has great weather but it can be very crowded! Fall similarly to spring has lesser crowds, but you won’t see that fall foliage here as redwoods don’t change color.
Redwood National and State Park Elopement
These parks are home to some of the most iconic redwood groves in California! Here you can get incredible views without a lot of hiking (unless you want to, of course!) and there are plenty of secluded spots.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
This park features vast redwood groves and the enchanting Fern Canyon. A morning ceremony among the trees followed by a walk through the canyon and ending with sunset photos on the beach makes for a perfect day.
Pros: Diverse landscapes (redwoods, canyon, beach), iconic location, lots of photo opportunities.
Cons: Quite remote, so you need to plan and pack accordingly!
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is known for its dense redwood forest, this park offers some of the most impressive trees in the region. It’s perfect for couples looking for a truly immersive redwood experience. This is one of my favorites!
Pros: Impressive redwoods, secluded and quiet.
Cons: Remote, limited facilities, requires travel.
Best Time to Elope in Redwood National Park: This is a beautiful place to elope throughout the year, even in winter. Summers bring most crowds, but the rest of the seasons are more quiet. Spring brings wildflowers and nature blooming, fall still has some leftover warm weather from the summer and it’s less crowded, and winter, while rainy, is so peaceful and beautiful here!
If you’re planning to elope in Redwood National and State Park and want even more elopement location options here – I’ve got just the guide for you!
Choosing the Perfect Redwood Elopement Spot for You
When deciding on your elopement location, group size plays a big role. For groups larger than 15 people, it’s often best to consider a venue that can accommodate everyone comfortably. Venues like those in Big Sur and Santa Cruz not only provide the space you need but also offer the added convenience of facilities and lodging, which can be a lifesaver for a larger celebration.
For more intimate gatherings or just the two of you, natural settings within state parks or less-traveled trails are perfect. These locations allow you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the redwoods without the need for a formal venue. However, having an indoor back up plan is always a good idea (and I always bring these to the table as your California elopement photographer!)
Redwood Elopement Resources
My Redwood Elopement Packages
Hi! I’m Christina, your Northern California and beyond adventure elopement photographer. Planning, traveling, and finding beautiful locations and experiences are my jam. Helping you create and document the celebration of a lifetime brings me the utmost joy! I want you to make the most amazing memories and have stunning photos that you can share with all of your loved ones. This is a day where you get to look back and say, “Wow, we did that!”
My Redwood elopement packages offer a half-, full–, or multi-day experience! I offer a ton of flexibility in designing our time together and would love to get to know you more to help you plan! To learn more, head over to my contact form, and we can get together on a call!
Offered throughout every elopement package:
- Help you hand pick a location
- Provide resources and custom location guides on lodging, activities, and the best places to indulge in delicious foods
- Scout locations with boots on the ground to find the best places and lighting for your ceremony and photos
- Secure the right location permits to make sure your wedding is legal!
- Recommend vetted vendors to help make your dream of a day come true.
- Create your custom timeline (there are 2-3 options to choose from!) with room to breathe and enjoy your day.
- Deliver a joyful experience along with swoon-worthy photos in your own online gallery!
- Have a backup plan for it all!
- Deliver sneak peeks within 72 hours and a full wedding gallery within 6 weeks!
- Provide a Fine Art Wedding Album design for you to print and hold onto your photos to thumb through for years to come.
I'M CHRISTINA
YOUR CALIFORNIA + Destination elopement PHOTOGRAPHER
Serving California, The PNW, Iceland, Italy and Wherever your loves takes us!
