Sunset Cliffs is one of the most popular and beautiful place to elope in San Diego — for good reason!
Sunset Cliffs is located in the vibrant and laid back hippie beach town of Ocean Beach in San Diego, CA. It stretches for a couple miles along the coast and is home to some of the best sunsets on the West Coast. From panoramic views, bluffs, to arches and wildlife, it’s the heart of San Diego. It’s a popular surf destination and place to marry the love of your life. If the ocean, windswept hair, gorgeous sunsets, and natural elements are your vibe, this is the ideal location to tie the knot.
I love this place - it's practically my home. I know it like the back of my hand. It's constantly shifting and changing, and I just love the light over the water. Each day there is unique and beautiful.
Since I’ve photographed here more times than I can count, here’s how to get married on sunset cliffs!
How to Get Married on Sunset Cliffs:
Step 1 - choose which month:
Best Time of Year is in fall.
Our nicest weather is in late September-November and there aren’t as many crowds as the summer months of July and August.
December - March can be absolutely beautiful and not crowded at all, but occasionally we do get rain and cloudy skies. For a lot of people, it’s worth the weather risk for the lack of crowds and privacy.
May & June are infamously known as “May grey” and “June gloom” because of the marine layer/overcast in the mornings and at sunset. I personally don’t mind the marine layer, and the temperature is great in May and June.
July & August are beautiful and warm in terms of weather, but are also the most crowded months. It’s unlikely you’d be able to have any sort of privacy.
Weather & Time: Afternoons are usually more windy than during the morning, and we get crowds in the afternoons. I personally love sunset time because that’s when you get the beautiful “golden hour” that makes for beautiful photos. I recommend having your ceremony start 2 hours before sunset so you can do the family photos and photos of just you two within that “golden hour.”
Step 2 - Choose Your Team:
The reason why I put this as step 2 is because it’s super important to find your Photo/Video/Coordination team first. Since it’s a lot easier to book this location than it is to book a traditional wedding venue with a packed schedule, you should start with the most important vendor to YOU so your spot is saved on their calendar.
For example, some couples eloping on the cliffs already know they want me to photograph their day. But it’s so sad if you book the cliffs first and your dream vendors end up being unavailable. So if you have any vendor that you KNOW you want, book them first and find out what dates they are free. It’ll save you hassle and heartache later.
Note: If you want to have a coordinator, you can, but you don’t have to.
Step 3 - Pick Your Ceremony Location:
There are 3 main areas that are able to host an elopement or intimate wedding ceremony, according to the Parks & Rec department. They’re all stunning and are great for ceremonies. They each can support a guest count of 50 (including vendors and couple). They all have small parking lots and none are quite exactly wheelchair accessible, as you’d need to walk on the dirt and at a slight incline.
Luscomb Point -
This point has the best unobstructed view and flat ground where you won’t have random people walking in the background.
Ladera Street -
This one is the least crowded with tourists, and is more of a locals spot. There’s a big parking lot and I believe they’re building restrooms here. It’s a good hiking/walking trail too. I’ve only done non-wedding shoots here, but it’s stunning! Although you can technically have up to 50 people here, I would really only elope here with less than 10 people and no chairs/arch. There’s less open space without plants or mini canyons, but more of a diverse landscape than the others.
Osprey (aka pappy’s point) -
My personal favorite spot, but is also the most crowded. This is where the famous arch is.
You really can’t go wrong with any of them, but it’s up to you which is your favorite! I recommend getting married at Luscomb point and then drive over to Pappy’s point (1 min drive) for photos!
step 4 - Get a Permit:
Like I mentioned in step 3, Sunset Cliffs is a public natural park owned by the city of San Diego. In any area owned by the city, you MUST have a permit to get married there. They’re cheap and easy to attain though, so don’t worry!
Write down which location on Sunset Cliffs you’d prefer on the application, and make sure to plan a few weeks in advance (at least) to make sure you allow for permit turnaround time. You can’t have any chairs or arches without a proper permit.
Apply for your permit here $150
The permit allows you to have the ceremony (rangers can kick you out if not) and it prevents another couple from having their wedding in the same spot as you were planning on it. It’s still public though, so random tourists can be hanging around.
step 5 - Get marriage license:
from the downtown San Diego courthouse.
Step 6 - plan where you’ll get ready
Get ready at one of many ocean view Airbnbs in the Point Loma neighborhood or hotels nearby. I personally think the Airbnbs are nicer. Or you could get ready at a hotel downtown (20 mins away by car) or anywhere else in San Diego.
step 7 - plan the after party
“Formal” Reception:
Have your reception at the Thursday Club right up the street. If you are wanting a more typical wedding with gorgeous views and a reception hall, look into the Thursday Club! It’s affordable and fantastic. Photos below.
There are also some incredible and “San Diego formal” restaurants nearby in Point Loma and Shelter Island!!! I recommend:
Ketch
Bali Hai
Humphries
Old Venice
Laid-back/Fun:
Looking for a more casual dinner or mini-reception? There are many fun and hip restaurants in Ocean Beach and Point Loma perfect to host you! Breweries, rooftop restaurants with a view, formal seafood restaurants, or casual eateries. This area really has it all. If you like Mexican food, you’ll find plenty ;).
Brigantine
Blue Water Seafood
Pizza Nova (for reaaaaaallllyy casual - pizza + brew)
Point Loma Seafood
Jimmy’s American Tavern
South Beach Bar
Pizza Port
Wonderland Pub
Ulivo
Miguel’s Cocina
OB Surf Lounge
Step 8 - Plan your ride
I recommend Ubering so you don’t have to park, but parking isn’t too bad, even on busy evenings. Sunset is the most crowded and parking lots fill fast, but there’s plenty of street parking in the neighborhoods if you don’t mind walking.
Also consider an E-Moke or cool car to whisk you away!
step 9 - Gather your other vendors:
Hire an officiant or have a friend get ordained, buy your attire, hire photo/video, and commission a florist to create something spectacular and unique for you! Find a fun rental company you can get a speaker from, an arch, and chairs.
Recommendations:
Reach out to me for my favorite video and floral people!
I recommend having a long veil for the photos… I’ve seen some on the cliffs and WOWWWWW the things you can do with them here!
For gowns, something that picks up the wind really adds to the photos you’ll take. I’m a big fan of big sleeves, flowy dresses, and elopement short dresses/2 pieces you can easily move in!
If shoes aren’t your thing, don’t wear any! Otherwise, wear some unique and funky shoes to show off your personalities. I would NOT recommend heels (trust me, you won’t regret it).
Know Before You Go:
It’s a natural park, so you have the natural elements to deal with; seaweed smell (seasonal), May grey/June gloom, and tourists. The cliffs are made of compact sand, so there’s always a risk of cliff breakage and falls. There are real dangers to visiting Sunset Cliffs, but it’s so popular now and like many national parks etc., the beauty is worth the risk.
No restrooms in the area except for nearby restaurants in OB
PLANNING YOUR ELOPEMENT? HOLLAH AT ME! 😍
I’m Bree, a San Diego & Vegas based elopement/wedding photographer (but I’ll travel anywhere for you 😘). I specialize in adventurous, fun, and romantic photos that show off your candid and authentic selves. I want to capture your JOY and make it fun & easy while doing so. Learn more here and send me an email!
