Where to Elope on the Coast

Best Coastal Elopement Locations

If you’re searching for “where to elope on the coast“, chances are you’re drawn to something a little quieter, a little wilder, and a lot more grounded than a traditional wedding venue. Coastal elopements offer space to breathe, dramatic landscapes without needing much décor, and a natural sense of pacing that encourages you to slow down and actually be present.

This guide is designed for couples in the early stages of planning. Before you’ve chosen a date, a dress, or sometimes even a state/region. I’ll walk through what to consider when eloping on the coast, then share some of the best coastal elopement locations I’ve personally worked at and guided couples through. While the examples below are on the West Coast, the planning principles apply no matter which coastline you’re drawn to.

What to Know Before Choosing a Coastal Elopement Location

Before diving into specific spots, it helps to understand what makes coastal elopements different from mountain, desert, or forest elopements.

A few coastal-specific things to plan for:

• Be sure to check the tides. Some beaches are fully accessible only at low tide.
• Wind is part of the experience. This affects hair, layers, audio during vows (if you’re hiring a videographer), and comfort.
• Weather changes quickly. Fog, mist, and overcast skies are common, and often beautiful.
• Crowds fluctuate more than you’d expect. Time of day and weekday vs. weekend matter more than season alone.

The good news? With thoughtful planning, coastal elopements are incredibly flexible and forgiving. You don’t need perfection, you just need options.

How to Choose the Right Coastal Elopement Spot

When couples ask me where they should elope on the coast, I usually ask a few questions first:

• Do you want easy access or are you open to a short hike?
• Are you envisioning sea stacks, cliffs, tide pools, or wide open sand?
• Do you want to combine the coast with another landscape (forest, mountains)?
• Are you prioritizing privacy, views, or simplicity?

You don’t need to answer all of these right away, but thinking through them helps narrow things down quickly.

Oregon Coast Elopements: A Different Kind of Coastal Experience

The Oregon Coast is one of the most versatile places to elope on the coast, especially if you want a mix of dramatic scenery and logistical flexibility. Long stretches of public coastline, scenic pull-offs, and forested headlands make it easy to create an elopement day that feels expansive without being complicated.

Compared to some other coastal areas, Oregon is especially well-suited for couples who want variety without a lot of hiking. You can move between overlooks, trails, and beaches fairly easily, which makes this coastline ideal for relaxed timelines, multi-location days, or even elopement weekends.

As with any coastal elopement, timing and weather play a big role. But with a little planning, Oregon’s coast offers incredible options for couples at many comfort and experience levels.

Ecola State Park

I figured I’d start with one of my favorite locations, one of my go-to spots that I love recommending to couples wanting to elope on the coast. Ecola State Park is a great starting point for couples drawn to the northern Oregon coast, especially near the Cannon Beach area. It offers a combination of forested trails, scenic overlooks, and elevated coastal views. All within a relatively compact area.

Why it works well for elopements:
• Multiple ceremony and portrait locations close together.
• A mix of forest and ocean scenery without long hikes.
• Easy to build flexibility into your timeline.

What to know:
• It’s a popular park, especially in summer. So I highly encourage planning an elopement here in the shoulder seasons.
• Privacy often comes down to timing (weekday mornings or evenings work best).
• Some viewpoints are close to parking, while others require short walks or a hike.

Oswald West State Park

Oswald West State Park is ideal for couples who love the contrast of dense forest and rugged coastline. The trails here feel immersive, and the coastal viewpoints often feel dramatic even on overcast or misty days.

Why couples love it:
• Strong “Pacific Northwest” feel with towering trees and coastal cliffs.
• This is one of my go-to suggestions if couples are wanting to incorporate a little bit of hiking into their elopement day, since there’s trails all through out the forest here.

What to know:
This is the go-to spot for surfers, so it can be busy on the weekends. Highly recommend avoiding the weekend, or visiting in the early morning or evening.

Chapman Beach

For couples wanting to elope near Cannon Beach without the busiest beach access points, Chapman Beach is an awesome alternative. It offers wide open shoreline and straightforward access, which can make planning feel much simpler.

Why it works well:
• Easy access compared to some nearby beaches.
• Open, uncluttered views that photograph beautifully.
• Good option for couples who want a relaxed, no-frills beach ceremony.

What to know:
• Crowd levels vary depending on time of day. But it’s never as busy here as Cannon Beach.
• Wind is common, so layers are helpful.
• Parking if fairly limited here, so this location is best for small ceremonies.

Elk Flats

Elk Flats is a lesser-known option near the Cannon Beach area that appeals to couples looking for something a bit quieter and more adventurous.

Why couples choose it:
• Fewer people compared to the most popular beaches.
• Cliff side views that are unlike anything else on the west coast.

What to know:
• Trails can feel exposed and windy.
• Best suited for couples comfortable with uneven terrain and heights.
• There is a short hike to get down to the viewpoint. In wintertime the mud on the trail can be really deep and slick.

Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor

The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is one of the most visually striking stretches of coastline in the U.S. Making it an area you should highly consider if you’re wanting to elope on the coast. Rather than being a single location, it’s a collection of overlooks, beaches, and trails connected by a scenic highway. I absolutely love this area!

Why it’s ideal for elopements:
• Multiple stunning locations within a short drive.
• Easy to create a road-trip-style elopement experience.
• Minimal hiking required for big views.

What to know:
• Safety is important here, stay back from cliff edges.
• Wind can be intense at exposed viewpoints.

Secret Beach

Secret Beach is a more adventurous option along the southern Oregon coast, offering a tucked-away shoreline that feels secluded once you reach it. The rock formations here are super striking and unique.

Why couples love it:
• A strong sense of privacy. It’s often pretty quiet here, especially during the week.
• Ideal for intimate, just-the-two-of-you ceremonies.

What to know:
• Access involves a steep, uneven descent to the beach.
• Tide timing is especially important, be sure some come here at low tide!

My Favorite Washington Coast Elopement Locations

The Washington coast is rugged, moody, and incredibly varied. Many couples choose this area because you can experience multiple landscapes in a single day without rushing. I’ll touch on a handful of my favorite locations and why I think you should consider them below.

Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is extremely iconic, and for good reason. Think sea stacks, textured rock formations, and dramatic light. Especially at sunrise or sunset.

Why it’s a great choice for elopements:
• Short walk from the parking area.
• Multiple natural ceremony spots along the shoreline.
• Easy to adapt plans based on weather or tide conditions.

Good to know:
• It can get busy mid-day.
• Wind is common.
• You’ll want to keep moving slightly away from the main access point for privacy.

Easy pairing:
Ruby Beach pairs beautifully with the mossy trails of the Hoh Rainforest, allowing you to combine forest and coastline in the same day. Many couples choose forest portraits earlier, then head to the coast for vows at sunset. Since both of these locations are within the Olympic National Park, you’ll need to apply for a special use permit.

If you’re wanting to learn more about this area, be sure to check out my Olympic National Park Elopement Guide!

Second Beach

Second Beach offers a bit more of an adventurous feel thanks to the short forest hike required to reach it. Once you arrive, the shoreline opens up dramatically with sea stacks and driftwood.

Why couples love it:
• Feels more immersive than drive-up beaches.
• Great balance of accessibility and adventure.

Good to know:
• Trails can be muddy outside of summer.
• Timing is key for privacy (weekday mornings or evenings work best).

Easy pairing:
Second Beach also works well alongside the Hoh Rainforest, or even as a second coastal stop if you’re building a multi-day elopement experience. Since both of these locations are within the Olympic National Park, you’ll need to apply for a special use permit.

Want more information on the Hoh Rainforest? Check out my Olympic National Park Elopement Guide!

Salt Creek Recreation Area

Salt Creek is often overlooked, which makes it especially appealing. It’s known for its rugged coastline, tide pools, and expansive ocean views.

Why it works well:
• Less crowded than many National Park beaches.
• Excellent tide pooling at low tide.
• Easy access without sacrificing scenery.

Good to know:
• Wind can be strong, layers are essential.
• Tide timing matters more here than at sandy beaches.

Easy pairing:
Salt Creek pairs extremely well with Hurricane Ridge. This allows couples to experience alpine mountain views earlier in the day and end with coastal vows near sunset, without excessive driving.

When Is the Best Time to Elope on the Coast?

There’s no single “best” season, but there is a best season for your priorities.

• Spring: Fewer crowds, vibrant greens… but unpredictable weather.
• Summer: Easier access, longer days… but more people.
• Fall: Calmer beaches, moodier skies… but earlier sunsets.
• Winter: Quiet, dramatic, and ideal if you’re okay embracing the elements (and possibly the cold).

Weekdays almost always offer more privacy than weekends, regardless of season.

Sample 8-Hour Cannon Beach Elopement Timeline

This is an example of how a full-day coastal elopement can flow without feeling rushed. The focus here is balance. Movement and rest, variety and simplicity, structure with flexibility built in. If you decide to elope at this coast, this is a taste of what your elopement day could look like.

Morning | Getting Ready + Ecola State Park

9:00–10:00 AM: Getting ready at your lodging near Cannon Beach or Manzanita. A slow morning with coffee, breakfast, and space to settle in. This is a great time for getting-ready photos and details.
10:00–11:30 AM: Arrive at Ecola State Park for forest trails, scenic overlooks, and relaxed portraits. This part of the day is intentionally unstructured. No ceremony yet, just exploring and easing into the landscape.

Midday | Ceremony + Picnic

11:30 AM–12:15 PM: Ceremony at Indian Beach. Vows take place in a tucked-away area of the beach based on tides, wind, and crowd levels.
12:15–12:30 PM: Post-ceremony beach time. Walking the shoreline and letting the moment settle without immediately moving on.
12:45–2:00 PM: Short forest walk followed by a picnic at an Ecola viewpoint. This is a great spot for lunch, cake cutting, and a low-key celebration with ocean views.

Afternoon | Manzanita Adventure

2:00–2:30 PM: Drive south toward Manzanita. Time to reset, grab snacks, change outfits if needed, and take a breather.
2:45–4:30 PM: Horseback riding along the beach in Manzanita. This adds a playful, movement-based experience to the day and works well after a slower morning.

Evening | Elk Flats + Sunset

4:30–4:45 PM: Drive back toward Cannon Beach and arrive at Elk Flats.
4:45–5:45 PM: Short hike and sunset portraits at Elk Flats. Elevated coastal views and quieter surroundings make this a great way to end the day.
5:45–6:00 PM: Wrap-up. From here, most couples head to dinner or back to their lodging to continue celebrating privately.

Coastal Elopement FAQs

If you’re still in the early stages of planning, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. Especially when you’re considering eloping somewhere as dynamic as the coast. These are some of the most common things couples ask when they’re first figuring out where to elope on the coast and what that actually looks like.

Do we need a permit to elope on the coast?

Sometimes, yes. But usually they aren’t needed. It depends on whether the beach is part of a national park, state park, or public land, and whether you’re having guests, an officiant, or vendors present. In many cases, a permit is required for ceremonies in parks, even for small elopements. The good news is that permits are usually straightforward and affordable (most of the time ($100-200). Part of planning well is knowing which locations require them and building that into your timeline early.

What’s the best time of day for a coastal elopement?

Early mornings and evenings tend to be the best options for privacy and softer light. Sunrise is especially underrated on the coast! It’s quieter, calmer, and often less windy. Sunset can be beautiful too, but timing matters more since popular beaches can get busy. Tide schedules also play a role, so the “best” time of day is often a balance between light, tides, and crowd levels.

What if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

Coastal weather is unpredictable, and that’s part of the experience. Overcast skies, mist, and light rain are common, and they often photograph beautifully.

The key is planning with flexibility:
• Choosing locations with natural shelter.
• Having backup spots nearby.
• Building extra time into your day so you’re not rushed.

With the right mindset and layers, weather rarely ruins a coastal elopement.

How many locations should we include in one day?

Most couples are happiest with one main ceremony location and one or two additional spots for portraits or experiences. More than that can start to feel rushed, especially when you factor in driving, walking, and weather. A well-paced elopement day isn’t about how many places you visit, it’s about having enough time to actually enjoy where you are.

Can we combine the coast with another landscape?

Absolutely, and it’s one of the biggest advantages of coastal elopements in certain regions. Many couples choose to pair the coast with forests, mountains, or nearby scenic areas to create variety without extending their trip. The key is choosing locations that work together geographically so you’re not spending the whole day in the car.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Where to Elope on the Coast

If you’re still early in planning, focus less on finding “the perfect spot” and more on finding a region that supports the experience you want.

And if you want help narrowing locations, understanding permits, building a realistic timeline, or figuring out how to combine landscapes without stress. That’s where having a guide (not just a photographer) makes all the difference. *wink wink*