San Diego, California is a beautiful city with gorgeous natural landscapes, historic architecture, and stunning beaches. It is no wonder that many couples choose to elope in San Diego. Heck, it’s my favorite city on earth!! I’m a born-and-raised San Diegan, so you can lean on me for anything SD-related!

Whether you prefer a seaside ceremony or something more urban, San Diego has plenty of options for your elopement. Here are my top 10 places to elope in San Diego (in no particular order):

# 1. Sunset Cliffs

If you are looking for a breathtaking backdrop for your ceremony, Sunset Cliffs is the perfect spot. The ocean views are absolutely stunning, and the sunset is a truly magical time to tie the knot. It’s one of my favorite spots for photos, and it’s BY FAR the most popular spot for my couples to elope. It’s also a great area to stay in if you’re visiting or wanting to have an afterparty with guests.

For info on how to elope on Sunset Cliffs, here’s the best resource.

Pros: Beautiful and unique for photos. You can set up an arch and have music. Classic San Diego ocean views. Close to great restaurants, hotels, and airport.

Cons: it can be busy in the summer and on weekends. Permit required

# 2. Balboa Park

For couples who love art and architecture, Balboa Park is a beautiful place to elope. The park has many historic buildings, such as the Botanical Building and the California Tower, which provide a charming backdrop for your photos. You can elope within the park, or in the famous Japanese Friendship Garden.

Pros: Unique architecture, lots of backgrounds for photos, easy access to downtown and airport.

Cons: very busy any day of the year. Advance booking required.

# 3. Imperial Beach

South Imperial Beach is more secluded and private than most of the other beaches in San Diego, which is why I recommend it! I recommend the beach between Descanso and Encanto Ave.

If you want to get married at one of San Diego’s beaches, shoreline parks, or Mission Bay, you need a permit. You can contact the city permit center, located in the Balboa Park Administration Building at 2125 Park Blvd.

Pros: least crowded beaches, cheap hotels.

Cons: not as pretty as the La Jolla beaches, farther from downtown, permit required.

# 4. Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument offers sweeping views of the city and the Pacific Ocean. We’re talking 360º views! It’s one of the more unique and lesser-known places to elope, but the views literally couldn’t get better than this.

Pros: views are to die for.

Cons: Can be a challenge to photograph here but sooo worth it, permit required.

best places to elope in san diego beach cliffs views downtown cabrillo national monument — Cabrillo National Monument

# 5. Mt Laguna

If a couple is looking for an intimate and picturesque location to elope in San Diego, Mount Laguna should be at the top of their list. The mountain's elevation provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding desert to the east that make for a perfect backdrop to any wedding ceremony. Or, get eloped in the middle of the trees or meadow. Mount Laguna is an enchanting and ethereal setting for a romantic elopement. Whether you’re adventurous and outdoorsy or not, Mount Laguna provides the ideal setting to create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. There are incredible hikes, meadows, and locations I can suggest to you if we work together!

It’s also close to the famous mountain town of Julian and Lake Cuyamaca, so grab yourselves some apple pie and cider to celebrate after! There are cute and quaint boutique hotels in Julian too. You can also camp easily and make it an adventure!

Pros: Variety of landscape (trees, desert views, meadows), intimate and unique, you have the place all to yourselves.

Cons: About an hour from downtown San Diego.

# 6. Ojai Lake

This is one of the least-known places to elope in San Diego, but it’s one of my favorites! It’s beautiful, unique, and offers real southern California landscape. I shot an intimate wedding here with boho vibes; it was so pretty. You can set up some things if you want and make sure to take photos during sunset after! The views are killer.

Pros: Variety of landscape, boho vibes, you have the place all to yourselves.

Cons: Permit and ranger permission required. Farther from downtown.

# 7. Coronado

Coronado Island is known for its breathtaking beaches. Imagine saying "I do" with the sound of the waves crashing and the sun setting behind you. Beach elopements are always popular, but on Coronado Island, you'll have the added benefit of a picturesque backdrop of the Hotel Del, San Diego skyline, or the ocean in the background.

In addition to the beach, Coronado Island offers a variety of other beautiful locations for elopements. The famous Hotel del Coronado, with its red-roofed turrets and Victorian architecture, provides an elegant and stunning setting for a ceremony. The Coronado Ferry Landing offers a more casual vibe with views of the San Diego skyline, and the historic Glorietta Bay Inn provides a charming and intimate setting for a small wedding. Centennial Park overlooking the downtown skyline is cheap and easy to attain permits for, but I recommend an early morning ceremony for the best lighting.

Another great reason to elope on Coronado Island is the convenience. San Diego is a popular wedding destination, and Coronado Island is just a short drive or ferry ride away from downtown San Diego. This means you and your partner can easily escape to the island for a romantic elopement. You’ll need a wedding permit from the City of Coronado.

Pros: Amazing bay, ocean, and/or skyline views, popular destination for vacationers.

Cons: Permit required. Public locations which can be busy with tourists.

coronado island elopement wedding san diego skyline photographer

# 8. San Diego Courthouse

This should the most obvious choice, but hear me out! It’s actually one of the best places in San Diego to elope. Why? Because of the ease and the beauty surrounding it! The courthouse is currently under some facelifting construction, but no matter. The outdoor location where they hold ceremonies is beautiful! Lush greenery, a quick and easy ceremony, plus you can take photos around the courthouse grounds or downtown! It’s situated in the heart of downtown San Diego, right next to the airport. It’s just a short walk to Little Italy and the famous waterfront. It’s great for photos and going to lunch/dinner afterwards!

Pros: Waterfront close by, ease of getting your license, no need to find an officiant.

Cons: not as unique as other spots

# 9. South Ponto Beach

South Ponto Beach in South Carlsbad State Beach is a beautiful beach spot for weddings and elopements. I recommend Pelican Point, which is a beautiful cliff that overlooks the ocean. While most people elope in central San Diego, there are a ton of great places in north county for all those folks! If you’re visiting SD and have no idea what I’m talking about, Google Carlsbad and Oceanside. You won’t be disappointed, and there are a ton of great places to stay and things to do. There are a lot of great beachfront VRBOs in the area too.

Pros: more unique, beautiful beach

Cons: hard to park, can be busy, permit required.

# 10. Wedding Bowl, La Jolla

La Jolla’s Cuvier Park is a romantic and intimate setting for your elopement. The ocean views and rocky cliffs provide a picturesque spot for your ceremony. This place is named the Wedding Bowl, because, well… it’s MADE for elopements! This is situated in one of the most popular neighborhoods in San Diego. There are tons of great restaurants, hotels, and beaches. It’s one the popular place to elope in San Diego, so if you’re looking for something more unique, read on…

Pros: Gorgeous ocean views, great neighborhood.

Cons: very busy any day of the year. One of the most popular spots. Permits required.