The Best Places to Elope in Northern California
From the rocky coast to the snowy mountains, and everything in between, Northern California is full of beautiful backdrops for any adventurous couple's elopement! With stunning blue lakes, incredible active volcanoes, and dense redwood canopies, the hardest part about planning your Northern California elopement is deciding where to do it. Luckily, this guide will help you narrow it down to some of the best places to elope in Northern California!
The Best Places to Elope in Northern California
California is such a huge state that Northern California is a totally different landscape than Southern California! There aren’t many palm trees in the north, but you'll come across towering evergreens, snow capped mountains, and gorgeous alpine lakes when you elope in Northern California - there are some seriously gorgeous places to say "I do." Here are some of the best places to elope in Northern California!
Mt. Shasta
Right along I-5, just about an hour past the Oregon border is one of California's most beautiful mountains - Mount Shasta! It's one of the first stops in Northern California for outdoorsy activities. Mount Shasta is the perfect place for hiking, climbing, and even skiing in the winter! Say "I do" under a waterfall or in a mountain meadow full of wildflowers - whatever you decide, Mount Shasta is a great place to elope in Northern California!
Where to Stay Near Mt. Shasta
Redwoods National Park
Walking through the redwood forest will make you feel like you're in a fairy tale! Say your vows among some of the world's tallest trees, or head to the coast for a beach elopement. The redwoods can be found along the northern coast so you won't run into as many crowds as you would farther south on the coast, and if you want even more privacy, you can check out the Lost Coast!
Where to Stay Near Redwoods National Park
Muir Woods
Just 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge is Muir Woods! A section of land that’s protected from the city, Muir Woods National Monument is full of towering redwoods, cool coastal breezes, and flowing streams - the perfect place to say your vows away from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco.
Where to Stay Near Muir Woods
Yosemite National Park
One of California's most popular parks is Yosemite National Park. Once popular for its incredible gold mining opportunities, it’s now known for the variety of outdoor activities! If you're adventurous, try skydiving or river rafting to get your adrenaline pumping. If jumping off a plane or going over river rapids seem like too much for you, you can hike through dense forests or to cascading waterfalls! Either way, Yosemite National Park has plenty to offer for your elopement.
Where to Stay Near Yosemite
Lake Tahoe
Tucked away in the Sierra Nevadas, there's a crystal clear lake - Lake Tahoe! Surrounded by snow in the winter, and warm and sunny in the summer, Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors. Surrounding the deep blue lake, you'll find sandy beaches, thick forests, and tall mountains - it really has it all!
Where to Stay Near Lake Tahoe
Mammoth Lakes
On the eastern slopes of Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes is a cluster of alpine lakes that are full of breathtaking views! Whether you spend your day hiking to hot springs or skiing down the slopes, you're sure to find a beautiful place to elope in Mammoth Lakes.
Where to Stay Near Mammoth Lakes
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is exploding with natural beauty! You'll find many volcanoes, gorgeous alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and hiking trails throughout the park. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find all four types of volcanoes in a small area - but don't worry, there hasn't been an eruption in over 100 years! Since it's considered an active volcano, you can see the lava beds and smoke coming out of the earth in some places - it's a pretty unique place to elope!
Where to Stay Near Lassen Volcanic National Park
The Best Time to Elope in Northern California
The weather in Northern California is a lot different from in Southern California, and it can vary depending on where you are and which season you decide to elope in. It's important to be prepared no matter when you tie the knot to avoid any surprises!
The perfect time to elope in Northern California would be spring or fall. The weather is milder, the crowds are fewer, and bright colors cover the landscape! The spring brings wildflowers to alpine meadows and the leaves change colors in the fall so these are definitely the most colorful seasons in Northern California! You'll certainly find fewer crowds since the snow chasers and summer vacationers have left for the season. If you still want to enjoy the warm weather of summer, plan your elopement for late spring or early fall!
Winters in Northern California are much cooler than Southern California, but that doesn't mean it's not comfortable! It often snows in higher elevations, but if you stick to lower elevations near the coast, the weather can be good for hiking since it's not too hot during the day - however, it does get pretty rainy. Winter can be a busy time, especially in the mountains when snow sport enthusiasts head to the resorts to hit the slopes!
The warmest time in Northern California would be summer! Though not as hot as areas of Southern California, it can still get pretty hot in some places. The coast doesn't typically get warmer than about 70ºF in the summer, and there's not much rain so it's a great time to head to the rocky beaches of the coast! Further inland, it can be as warm as 90ºF so if you're not used to the heat, you may want to stay in the shade or opt for a sunrise or sunset elopement! Summer is also a really busy time in Northern California because of all the great outdoor activities to do, so if you want to avoid the crowds you can plan your elopement for a weekday.
Northern California Elopement Packages
Your love story is unique, the day you say "I do" should be just as special! As your Northern California elopement photographer, it's my job to help you plan a day that's stress-free and all about you! That's why my Northern California elopement packages are carefully curated for you, to make sure your wedding day is everything you could have dreamed of! From location recommendations to making a timeline, I'll be there every step of the way to make sure you have the best elopement ever! Contact me to book a free consultation call if you're ready to plan your Northern California elopement, or want to learn more about my elopement packages!
Or if you’re wanting to check out more locations in the Pacific NorthWest, check out my blog HERE.
