By Joel Reyes, Elopement Photographer
Last updated: March 2026

Santa Cruz sits about 45 minutes north of Monterey and offers a completely different vibe from Big Sur and Carmel. Where Big Sur is dramatic and wild, Santa Cruz is laid back, colorful, and full of character. Think beach boardwalk culture meets redwood forests meets surf town energy.

For couples who want a less formal, more playful elopement with stunning coastal scenery, Santa Cruz delivers.

Best Elopement Locations in Santa Cruz

Natural Bridges State Beach

Named for the natural rock arch formation visible from the beach, Natural Bridges is one of Santa Cruz’s most iconic locations. The beach offers tide pools, dramatic rock formations, and a eucalyptus grove that’s home to migrating monarch butterflies in fall and winter.

Best spots:

• The beach in front of the natural bridge arch (low tide recommended)
• The eucalyptus grove: sheltered, atmospheric, beautiful dappled light
• The bluff trail overlooking the arch

Permits: Required through California State Parks for any ceremony.

West Cliff Drive

A scenic coastal path that stretches along the Santa Cruz shoreline. The walking path offers panoramic ocean views, rocky cliffs, and multiple viewpoints. The Lighthouse Point area near the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse is particularly stunning.

Best for: Couples who want a casual, walkable elopement along the coast with multiple photo stops.

Wilder Ranch State Park

Just north of Santa Cruz, Wilder Ranch combines coastal bluffs, old ranch buildings, and agricultural land. The coastal trail offers dramatic cliff views and sea caves visible from above.

Best for: Couples who want a less crowded, more adventurous coastal setting.

Scotts Valley and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

About 15 minutes inland from Santa Cruz, Henry Cowell offers towering redwood groves. The Redwood Grove Loop Trail is an easy, flat path through ancient trees. The forest floor is quiet, shaded, and feels a world away from the beach.

Best for: A redwood ceremony without driving to Big Sur.

Felton Covered Bridge

A historic covered bridge that’s now a pedestrian landmark in the town of Felton. The bridge is charming and photogenic, set among redwoods along the San Lorenzo River.

Best for: Intimate ceremonies for just the couple, perhaps combined with Henry Cowell Redwoods nearby.

Santa Cruz County Beaches

Multiple beaches offer elopement potential:

• Seabright State Beach: Wide sand, close to town, easy access.
• Twin Lakes State Beach: Calm waters, harbor views, family friendly.
• Davenport Beach: North of Santa Cruz. Remote, dramatic, fewer people.
• Bonny Doon Beach: Secluded, clothing optional in some areas (plan accordingly). Stunning cliffs.
• Panther Beach: Dramatic sandstone cliffs, sea caves, and wide sand. One of the most photographed beaches on the Santa Cruz coast.
• Shark Fin Cove: Named for the distinctive rock formation that rises from the sand like a shark fin. Stunning at sunset.

Scott Creek Beach

On the northern Santa Cruz coast, Scott Creek is managed by Santa Cruz County Parks. The beach sits at the mouth of a creek with rolling hills and open sky. Peaceful, uncrowded, and beautiful.

Permits: Contact Santa Cruz County Parks for ceremony permits on county land.

Santa Cruz Elopement Permits

California State Parks (Natural Bridges, Wilder Ranch, Henry Cowell):

• Special Event Permit required
• Contact the Santa Cruz District of California State Parks

Santa Cruz County Parks (Scott Creek, Felton Covered Bridge, county beaches):

• Outdoor ceremony permits available through Santa Cruz County Parks
• Website: parks.santacruzcountyca.gov
• Permit fees vary by location

City of Santa Cruz (city parks, some beach areas):

• Contact the City Parks and Recreation Department
• Phone: (831) 420-5270

Important: A permit is required even for elopements with no guests. Do not risk getting turned away on your wedding day.

Where to Stay in Santa Cruz

• Dream Inn Santa Cruz: Beachfront hotel on Cowell’s Beach. Walking distance to the boardwalk and wharf.
• Chaminade Resort and Spa: Set in the hills above Santa Cruz with panoramic views. More secluded and romantic.
• Pacific Blue Inn: A small, green certified boutique hotel in downtown Santa Cruz.
• Airbnb and vacation rentals: Santa Cruz has a strong rental market. Look for coastal cottages in Capitola, beach houses along East Cliff, or redwood cabins in the mountains above town.

Combining Santa Cruz with Big Sur or Carmel

Santa Cruz is about 45 minutes north of Monterey and about 75 minutes north of Big Sur. A two day elopement could include:

Day 1: Ceremony in Santa Cruz (redwoods at Henry Cowell or a beach at Natural Bridges), followed by dinner in town.
Day 2: Adventure portraits in Big Sur (Garrapata State Park or the coastal bluffs south of Bixby Bridge).

Or reverse it: Big Sur for the ceremony, Santa Cruz for the celebration.

Ready to Plan Your Santa Cruz Elopement?

I photograph elopements throughout the Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur coastline. If you’re thinking about eloping in Santa Cruz or anywhere along the Central Coast, I’d love to hear about it.

[Start Planning Your Elopement →]

Related Guides

• How to Elope in Big Sur: The Complete Guide
• How to Elope in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey
• Garrapata State Park Elopement Permit Guide

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Joel Reyes is an elopement photographer and filmmaker based in California, available worldwide.