How to Get Married in the California Redwoods
An Exhaustive List of California Redwoods Venues for Weddings & Elopements
We’re so very lucky here in California. We have access to some of the oldest trees in the world—California redwoods!
California is famous for so many things—and its ancient old-growth redwood forests are just one awe-inspiring example. Fun fact: You can find these stunning trees all over the state—from the Sequoias of the Eastern Sierra to the coastal redwoods of northern California.
Redwoods are massive, old, and super important to the ecosystem. They start as tiny pinecones—one of the smallest, believe it or not. But on average, they can grow to 367-feet tall, spread to 22-feet wide, and live for almost 2000 years. California is one of the only places in the world where you can find redwoods due to the climate. Why? Because they love that wet, misty air, of course! All this combined makes for an ethereal wedding venue.
Let’s hop right into how to get married in the California redwoods. We’ll cover:
What permits you need,
How to get legally married,
When to get married in the redwoods (seasons, days of the week, etc.),
Where to get married in the redwoods (so many locations to choose from),
How to get there,
Activities for your wedding,
And more!
Do You Need Permits to Get Married in the California Redwoods?
Yes, usually. Permits are almost always required for outdoor weddings and elopements where a ceremony is involved. These permits are usually in the $100 to $300 range, which is quite a deal for those looking to get married in a more intimate setting with fewer guests.
Admittedly, each specific location will have its own rules. If that sounds confusing, don’t worry. Your California Redwoods wedding photographer can help you navigate all these stipulations and more. In the meantime, check out permit pages for Redwoods NP and state parks to get an idea of what the process is like.
Getting Legally Married in the California Redwoods
The most important part of tying the knot is making sure your wedding is legally recognized. Sure, it’s not the most romantic part. But it’s still important. Marriage is a legally binding contract. So, how do you get that done when you’re eloping?
You’ll need to find the local county clerk’s office in the county you’re getting married in.
Make an appointment for both of you. Bring your IDs, and pick up your marriage license together.
Take your paperwork to the ceremony where it will be signed by your witness(es) and officiant.
Then, the license needs to be taken back to the county clerk’s office, either by you or your officiant. Pro tip—if you hire our on-staff officiant, Isiah, he’ll take it in for you.
Special note: The redwoods of California are often remote. This is something to keep in mind when you schedule time to pick up your marriage license. Some traveling couples opt to skip the hassle and have a commitment ceremony instead.
Timing: When to Get Married in the California Redwoods
TL;DR—The ideal time to elope in the California redwoods is on weekdays in April, May, June, and September.
Redwoods need very specific conditions to grow and thrive—one of which is a damp climate. Fog and rain are very common year-round, with 100-plus inches of annual rainfall each year. The consistent climate means it’ll be cool and foggy basically all year. So, no need to worry about hot temperatures.
Because many redwoods are in state and national parks, expect crowds! The best bet is to elope on a weekday and outside of holidays.
Here’s a breakdown of when to elope by season:
Winter: December to March sees the most rainfall and the fewest crowds. If you’re getting married during this season, prepare for rain and wet conditions. If you’re headed to Sequoia, Yosemite, or Redwoods, you might see snow!
Spring & Fall: April and May are unpredictable. There’s still the potential for winter conditions. June and October still have rainfall, but not as much as winter.
Summer: July through September have the least amount of rainfall on average. These months are more popular for that reason, and can sometimes have warmer temps reaching the 80-90s depending on where you’re headed. Humboldt and the Bay Area can be warmer.
Where: California Redwoods Wedding Venues and Best Locations
While the redwoods are mostly found in California, there’s still a ton of spots and lots of variety. Make sure to look at photos of each location. Each area has its own vibe and redwood type—from coastal redwoods of the North Coast to sequoias of the Eastern Sierra.
Northern CAlifornia venues
Amphitheater of the Redwoods: Located at a Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary near Santa Cruz, this is a wonderful place to feel inner calm and soak in peaceful surroundings. It offers multiple ceremony locations, a reception area, and room for your guests.
Camp Navarro: Get married at this redwood forest venue in Mendocino County. Glamping, camping, cabins, and more places to stay nearby.
The Stavrand: In the Russian River Valley, this spot is well-known for its wineries. Perfect for a wedding weekend with room for you and your guests. Get a couple’s massage or a chef’s meal.
Water Tower Retreat: A small Airbnb venue in Elk, California. Contact the owner before booking any Airbnb as a wedding venue.
Mendocino Grove: A glamping experience for the whole wedding party and guests. Located in Mendocino, this spot has games, hiking, BBQs, and more.
Lost Whale Inn: A quaint venue and bed-n-breakfast in Trinidad, CA offering weddings and elopements. Get married here and head to the black sands coast or redwood groves nearby for portraits.
Miranda Gardens Resort: Get married at this resort complete with a place to stay and locations to choose from. Located in the heart of Humboldt County at Avenue of the Giants in Miranda.
Oz Farm: This is a farm in Manchester near Mendocino with rustic vibes and a charming ambiance. It’s a great spot to get married. Explore the trails, gardens, and orchards on site and make use of their wood-fired hot tub, pizza oven, and firepit.
Whispertree Retreat: A venue focusing on sustainability, regeneratively managed land, and slow weddings. Located in Boonville near Ukiah.
Northern CAlifornia
outdoor locations
Humboldt Redwoods State Park / Avenue of the Giants: Easy access to redwoods and the Eel River makes this spot an amazing place to elope. Just make sure to apply for a permit over a month in advance and follow the regulations.
Redwoods National Park venues
Dream House in the Redwoods: Secluded in the redwoods, this unique property boasts cool architecture, a hot tub and sauna, and plenty of space for your big day. Double-check that events are A-OK with the property managers!
Ridgefield Weddings: A fairytale wedding venue located in Arcata, CA. The upscale venue allows for weddings of 200 people or less. It has lodging and all-inclusive options.
Redwoods National Park outdoor locations
Outdoor locations: Redwoods National Park is partially a national park and partially a series of state parks listed below. Each state park has approved locations with the number of people allowed (8-20) and the available dates. See those here.
Redwoods National Park: Check out these specific locations you can get married at within the bounds of the park: Crescent Beach Overlook, Lost Man Creek, Berry Glen, Crescent Beach Day Use, and High Bluff Overlook. Please note that the following are not allowed in Redwoods National Park: Live or dried plants or flowers, doves, butterflies, balloons, birdseed, rice, flower petals, confetti, arbors, arches, stands, risers, event signage, and more. Do not attach items to vegetation or feed wildlife.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP: This state park is the northernmost park in California, making it harder to get to—but worth it. One of my favorite redwoods locations! Ceremony locations include Templeman Grove, Organ Donors Grove, River Trail, Crescent Beach Day Use, and Overlook.
Prairie Creek Redwoods SP: A beautiful redwood park with a wide open field where you might see elk. Ceremony locations include Merriman Grove, Zig Zag 2 Trail, Schmidt Grove, and Prairie Creek Amphitheater.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park: Another amazing redwoods park, this time with the famous Fern Canyon and access to 8 miles of coastline.
Bay Area venues
Sparrow Valley Retreat: A personal favorite spot. This wedding venue has a house for staying and getting ready at, a long table for receptions, and a beautiful ceremony site in the redwoods. Located in Aptos near Santa Cruz.
OVY Camp & Event Center: A great spot for a camping and outdoors-themed wedding. Enjoy multiple ceremony locations, lodging, and camping. All proceeds go to the camp. Located in San Gregorio in the Peninsula of the Bay Area.
Roaring Camp: Multiple ceremony locations, a barn for receptions, lawn games, firepits, and more. Located in Felton just outside of Santa Cruz. And yes, you can ride a train through the redwoods here!
Sequoia Retreat Center: A very special spot for folks on their wedding day. Complete with a tranquil ceremony space, lodge for receptions, garden area, lodging, and more.
Felton Guild: Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Felton Guide offers a secluded, serene wedding venue with a large banquet area, Redwood Cathedral, and ample space for your nuptial activities.
Nestldown: A Los Gatos wedding venue offering a secluded redwood retreat with lush gardens, ponds, and waterfalls, providing a breathtaking setting for ceremonies and receptions.
Sand Rock Farm: A spectacular wedding spot with a lot of different day-of packages based on your number of guests.
Saratoga Springs: A gorgeous natural environment with full catering for your wedding day.
Deer Park Villa: Deer Park Villa is a redwood haven where promises are made and magic happens. This popular spot offers customizable wedding packages, nestled amidst nature's beauty, to create unforgettable experiences that will last a lifetime.
Piedmont Community Hall: Piedmont Community Hall is a charming venue with a park-like setting, featuring azaleas, camellias, redwoods, and a Japanese Tea House. The hall's Mediterranean architecture and spacious interior, along with the picturesque amphitheater, make it a popular choice for weddings and other events.
YMCA Camp Campbell: A delectably unique wedding experience in the Santa Cruz Mountains—with activities like axe throwing and hiking, and a beautiful redwood grove for ceremonies, create lasting memories with your loved ones. Check out their single-day to three-day wedding packages.
Berkeley Botanical Garden: Are you a plant lover? Then this spot might be for you! UC Botanical Garden offers a unique and scenic setting for your event, with 34 acres of diverse plant species. Nestled in Strawberry Canyon, the garden provides stunning landscapes, a redwood grove, and convenient access to nearby cities.
Redwood Retreat at Fernwood Cellars: A romantic, secluded, and picturesque setting for your nuptials. With its majestic redwoods and serene atmosphere, it's the perfect place to create lasting memories.
Outdoor Art Club: A historical landmark designed by renowned architect Bernard Maybeck. This stunning venue is available for weddings.
Old Mill Park: An awe-inspiring setting for your wedding day, tucked into the redwoods and featuring a historic mill and amphitheater.
The Mountain Terrace: A wedding location that’ll have you head over heels. This venue peeps redwood groves and stunning bay views. Experience your ceremony in the meadow or reception on the redwood deck, and celebrate your special day in your unique style.
Tilden Botanical Garden: Truly, a stunning backdrop for your wedding day, amongst in the heart of the north Berkeley Hills. Explore a vast collection of California's native plants, from towering redwoods to delicate wildflowers, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
Waterfall Lodge & Resort: Perfect for a wedding weekend! This site can host you and your guests with cabins on site just outside of Santa Cruz. Includes lawn games, fire pits, hiking, and more.
Stone Creek Village: An all-inclusive mountain wedding venue with lots of activities like swimming and hiking. The village provides customized packages including lodging, catering, and event planning. Enjoy a secluded experience with your guests in a quaint Western-themed setting.
The Santa Lucia Preserve: Escape into the Santa Lucia Mountains for a wonderful wedding on a 20,000-acre private nature preserve.
Bay Area OUTDOOR LOCATIONS
Muir Woods: Picturesque and dare I say world famous? Muir Woods is the spot for redwoods in the Bay Area. I highly recommend weekday weddings to avoid crowds.
El Corte de Madera: Part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, this spot allows for outdoor weddings and ceremonies in natural settings. There are restrictions on decorations, amplified music, and confetti. To reserve a site, contact the District Office at least eight weeks in advance.
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve: Another location with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, this has lots of open space and a whimsical creek nearby for your wedding day.
Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park: This one is a hidden gem! Near Oakland, this park stands as a peaceful redwood forest wedding spot among towering coast redwoods and a tranquil atmosphere.
Big Sur venues
Big Sur Lodge: A lovely lodge in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, this venue offers various venues surrounded by redwoods and a river, accommodating up to 130 guests. The lodge provides customized banquet menus and dining events for weddings and other celebrations.
Glen Oaks Big Sur: A picturesque wedding venue surrounded by majestic redwoods and the Big Sur River. This venue provides various options for event dinners, including a terrace with twinkle lights, a dining room with fireplaces, and a restaurant buyout.
Sequoia National Park venues & outdoor locations
Venues
Wuksachi Lodge: A spot with lovely accommodations, nestled in the Sequoia National Forest. The lodge even hosts a restaurant with panoramic views and dedicated facilities for events and weddings.
Outdoor locations
Sequoia National Park: Here you’ll find glorious Sequoia redwoods (as the name implies). A spectacular spot to tie the knot for couples seeking towering trees.
Mariposa Grove in Yosemite: Some really cool hiking trails within this grove of gentle giants.
Southern California venues & outdoor locations
Redwoods are hard to come by in Southern California outside of Sequoia National Park. The majority of the area is rich in deserts and beaches, but not so much forests. You can definitely find places to get married, especially if you love the much larger sequoia redwoods of the Eastern Sierra.
Venues
Willow Woods Park: A rustic venue in Skyforest, north of San Bernardino. Available for both weddings and elopements and attached to a brewery with food options.
Outdoor locations
Carbon Canyon Regional Park: The only redwoods in Orange County!
Getting There
California redwoods are spread out all over the state, so getting to and around these areas will depend on where you’re coming from and where you’re going. You’ll definitely want to get a car as most redwoods are far from airports (think 3-5 hours). Speaking of airports, here’s the nearest airport to each major redwood area.
Sequoia National Park
Mendocino
Redwoods National Park
Bay Area
Activities for a Redwoods Wedding
With redwoods spread out across the state, there are tons of activities to do on your wedding day.
Wine tasting: You can find tons of redwoods in wine country. So sip on some local wines and relax with your newlywed spouse.
Hire a personal chef: Have the best intimate dining experience by hiring a personal chef who knows your flavor preferences.
Picnic: Lay out a picnic blanket and savor your favorite foods and drinks.
Do a champagne pop: Nothing like poppin’ a bottle to celebrate! Plus, it makes for great photos.
Have a bonfire with s’mores: Cuddle up next to your beloved by the fire, and roast a tasty treat.
Go swimming: Check out the Eel River for a swim amongst the mighty redwoods.
Hot tubbing: Treat yourself to a soak with your special someone.
Rent a classic car or motorcycle: Adore the open road? Snag a set of wheels for a long drive with photos along the way.
Visit a roadside attraction: Northern California is a hotspot for bigfoot activity, so you’re bound to find some amazing roadside attractions, like the China Flat Museum Bigfoot Collection.
Visit a farm or animal conservation center: This is a must for animal and nature lovers.
Rent a unique rental on Airbnb or VRBO: Book the Treehouse Master, The Front Porch, or Pinecone Treehouse.
Share a morning coffee: So you got an amazing rental, how about sharing a quiet moment alone before the wedding shenanigans?
Play music together: Got a song in your heart? Bring some instruments to make your own music under the canopy of green.
Advice for Your California Redwoods Wedding
Interested in eloping in the California Redwoods? Here’s a quick rundown of some helpful tips:
Due to the remote nature of this area, be prepared for longer drives, two-lane highways, and fewer facilities (like gas stations and rest stops).
There aren’t many vendors in the area, so be prepared to DIY or pay travel fees.
The redwoods thrive in wet weather. Always be prepared for rain and mud in the PNW.
Follow leave-no-trace principles at all times. This area is well protected due to being one of the only redwood forest areas in the world.
Leave No Trace
It’s super important to keep the land, water, and air happy and healthy for years to come. Nothing would be more heartbreaking than seeing this natural area closed to the public because it got trashed. That’s where Leave No Trace (LNT) principles can make a positive impact. This set of principles about how best to preserve and protect the outdoors, even on your wedding day.
These rules are straightforward and easy to follow:
Prepare and plan ahead so you and your guests know what to expect.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces to reduce impact. Stick to trails, when in doubt.
Dispose of waste properly, or better yet, pack out whatever you packed in.
Leave what you find. This includes leaves, pinecones, stones, and all the rest.
Minimize campfire impacts. It’s also smart to watch for no-burn notices.
Respect wildlife by watching them from afar, keeping human food away from animals, and keeping pets away from the local fauna.
Be considerate of other people including hikers, park staff, and anyone else.
These are general rules, but it’s smart to take notice of area-specific guidelines as well. This includes respecting the cultural significance of this native land, avoiding live or dried natural plant or flower material, keeping noise down, and more.
Wedding Stories From the California Redwoods
Book Your California Redwoods Elopement Photographer
If you want an elopement photographer who loves our public lands, adventurous couples, and intimate wedding celebrations, book Love & Latitudes Outdoor Wedding and Elopement Photography today!
California Redwoods Elopement Packages
+ 4-8+ hours of coverage
+ Planning and vendor services
+ Location assistance
+ Online gallery with high-resolution photos
+ Option to download images or purchase prints online
+ Travel fees included, minus permits
+ Optional officiant services.
Meet Your California Redwoods Photographer
I'm Diana Lustig, a California native with a camera for a hand and an inborn love for the outdoors. I'm a professional photographer of 15 years and counting. In my free time, you'll find me traveling with my husband in our van, Clyde. No drive is too far—from Saguaro National Park in Tucson to Flagstaff and everything in between.
How did I get into wedding and elopement photography? In 2019, I hired adventure photographers for my own wedding and learned there’s a different, more personal way to get married. It was such a special day, I want to bring it to so many more couples who believe in getting married their own way.
