San Francisco is where your elopement dreams will come true. If you love a city landscape, iconic views, beaches, and nature this city offers you everything that you’re looking for. 

As an all-inclusive elopement team, we wanted to put together this comprehensive guide that shares with you what you need to know about eloping in San Francisco from how to get a marriage license to the best locations for your elopement. Consider this your go-to resource for planning your San Francisco elopement. 

How To Get A California Marriage License  

The first step you’ll need to take for your San Francisco elopement is to get a California Marriage License. In California, there are two different types of marriage licenses – a public marriage license and a confidential marriage license. 

Both marriage licenses will cost you $124, and you can choose which one you would like, depending on whether you want to keep your marriage private or not. Also, take note that if you do want a confidential marriage license, you and your partner must have been living together to be able to apply for it. 

To apply for the California marriage license, you’ll need to make an appointment with the County Clerk’s Office in San Francisco online. Once you’ve made your appointment, be sure to bring your application, valid government photo identification, like a driver’s license, and payment for the marriage license fee. 

The marriage license is good for 90 days after it is issued. You will need to have an officiant and one witness at your elopement to sign your marriage license. 

Best Places To Elope in San Francisco 

Now, let’s talk about a few of the many incredible locations in San Francisco where you could elope. San Francisco has so much to offer, whether you’re looking for downtown city vibes, scenic waterfronts, or panoramic views of the Bay. 

Here are our top recommendations for elopement locations: 

Muir Woods

Muir Woods is full of California wildlife, lush greenery, and massive ancient redwoods. The forest floor is coated in moss and ferns, and the trails in the area are flat, accessible, and easy to navigate. 

It’s an ideal place for an elopement if you’re looking for a location surrounded by towering trees, you want to stay close to the city, and you want to be submerged in nature. 

Muir Beach

Muir Beach is just a few miles from Muir Woods and offers an entirely different (but equally beautiful) experience for an elopement. This area is peaceful and serene and is the perfect location if you want to have an intimate and private elopement. 

Muir Beach offers you a variety of unique landscapes such as a cove, beach, or a lagoon as the backdrop for your celebration. 

Red Rock Beach

Red Rock Beach is our hidden gem. The landscape offers a striking contrast between expansive hills and a golden sand shoreline. This place is perfect for the adventurous, nature-loving couple looking for a unique and romantic spot to tie the knot. 

Palace of Fine Arts

This is a highly sought-after venue (and for good reason – it’s incredible)! A grand rotunda, Greco-Roman grandeur, and towering columns, all surrounded by serene lagoon waters, make the Palace of Fine Arts a magical place for an elopement. 

San Francisco City Hall

An iconic building with beautifully timeless architecture, San Francisco City Hall is charming, romantic, and full of history.

Another huge plus? It’s super easy to elope here. There are beautiful spots all throughout the building and even a grand staircase that is perfect for wedding photos. It’s the perfect combination of private and intimate while also having those grand wedding vibes. 

Mt. Tamalpais

Does your wedding vision include golden prairies, rolling hills, and sweeping ocean views?  Mt. Tamalpais offers a landscape unlike any other. 

It is yet another fantastic option for couples who value intimacy for their ceremony. There are stunning views in every direction and plenty of options for spots to carry out your ceremony (especially if you intend on it just being the two of you + your officiant!).

Thornton Beach 

Thornton Beach has rugged cliffs, ocean views, and verdant vegetation, and has an off-the-beaten-path vibe as it is not super well-known. 

Different Areas in Golden Gate Park

You can choose The Garden of Shakespeare’s Flowers, Portals of the Past, or The Conservatory of Flowers which are all located in Golden Gate Park.

Marin Headlands Hawk Hill 

A gorgeous hill that overlooks the San Francisco Bay – if you want to combine nature, panoramic views, the city, and the Golden Gate Bridge, then Hawk Hill is THE destination for you. You will need a special permit to use this location for your elopement, but obtaining it is not difficult at all. 

Legion of Honor 

A location that includes views of the Golden Gate Bridge? Classical architecture? A magnificent, grand staircase? Legion of Honor checks all of those boxes. You don’t need a permit to have an elopement at this location, and it’s perfect if you want something small and intimate. 

Sutro Baths 

Sutro Baths is a beautiful place to elope at sunrise as there’s a peaceful, intimate atmosphere without crowds at this time. You’ll also find a small beach at low tide and a location rich in history.  

What To Consider When Choosing A Location 

Here are some questions to ask before you decide on where you want to elope in San Francisco to help you: 

1. Do you want to elope indoors or outdoors? 
2. Will you have guests? Will it be easy for them to access the elopement location? 
3. What time of day do you want to have your elopement? 
4. What sort of scenery do you want? 
5. Is the location private so you can share your vows without an audience? 

Tips for Eloping in San Francisco 

Plan your timeline 

Here’s what your timeline for your elopement in San Francisco could look like to get you inspired: 

11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Getting ready + photography coverage starts 

1:15 pm – First Look photos 

1:45 pm – Head to San Francisco City Hall 

2:30 pm – Ceremony at San Francisco City Hall 

3:00 pm – 3:45 pm  – Additional photos in San Francisco City Hall 

4:00 – 5:00 pm – Celebrate your engagement with a luxury picnic 

5:30 – Head to a location for sunset photos 

As you figure out your timeline make sure you always give yourself “extra” time because you never know if you’re going to need it or not as weather and transportation can sometimes be unpredictable. 

Do permit research 

If you are planning on eloping outdoors, you may need to get a location permit. Most of the time, permits aren’t too complicated to get. However, you want to make sure you plan for this and do your research so you don’t get blindsided on your elopement day. 

Each park or land has its own specific rules and locations where you can have your elopement, so it’s good to do research beforehand before finalizing your location. You’ll also find that you may need to apply for the permit a few weeks before your elopement date, so you don’t want to leave this until the last minute! 

Choose local vendors 

Whether you’re from California or not, as you’re planning your elopement consider hiring local vendors. Locals will know the areas inside and out, they’ll know other locals who can help and have experience with the weather, permits, and the best way to operate under different circumstances. 

Our advice? Hire a team/ photographer who is familiar with San Francisco. They’ll know the best spots and have lots of helpful suggestions. 

If you work with our vendor team then we’ll figure out everything for you including the planning, coordination, and logistics to design a day that reflects you.

Different Seasons in San Francisco  

Fall 

Fall in San Francisco has the warmest temperatures and the weather is pleasant with lots of sunny days and little to no rain. Also, usually, this time of year is fog-free. 

Summer 

Summer is when San Francisco is the busiest with tourists and when the city has the most fog. Also, you’ll encounter cooler temperatures and the weather can change frequently throughout the day meaning that it might be cooler in the morning but by mid-day, it could be sunny and warm. 

Spring 

Spring has lots of sunshine and great weather – April is usually the sunniest month of the year! The days are often more clear than not. 

Winter 

You’ll encounter much less sunshine at this time of year with foggy mornings and rainy afternoons. 

Another thing to take note of is that the rainy season in San Francisco typically lasts from November to March. This doesn’t mean you should avoid this season, but you may want to have backup plans for outdoor elopements or plan to bring clear umbrellas. 

The great thing about San Francisco is that you can elope here year-round! The weather here is pretty mild, no matter the season, so the time you choose to elope here depends on what you value!

If more than anything you want to have beautiful weather on your wedding day, we would recommend the fall or spring seasons. The weather this time of year is gorgeous (not too hot, not too cold), but the crowds tend to be busier as a result. 

In our opinion, San Francisco winters are tremendously underrated. It’s a bit chillier, yes, but the crowds are much smaller, and the odds of you getting a beautiful corner of this city to yourself are exponentially higher. 

Find a place to stay

The best areas to stay in San Francisco are in the northern areas of the city including places such as Nob Hill and North Beach or the downtown area such as the Financial District or Union Square. 

Always be sure to Leave No Trace

As someone who is always out in nature and exploring everything that this area has to offer, the Leave No Trace principle is something that is so vital to uphold. If you are planning and outdoor elopement, please always remember to leave the area exactly how you found it. 

This means that anything that you pack in needs to be packed out, you should always stay on marked trails, and avoid doing anything throughout your elopement that is going to have any significant impact on the area. 

If you’re having an outdoor elopement, it’s because the area you choose is absolutely beautiful, and you want to be surrounded by nature for such an important moment in your life. Everyone should have that same opportunity, and that means doing our part to make sure these areas are preserved for years to come. 

Additional Things To Know For Your San Francisco Elopement 

Here are some extra tips that we wanted to share with you as you plan out your elopement:   

• Consider planning your elopement at sunrise because it will be less busy, and more peaceful, and you’ll have stunning, golden light for your photos 
• Plan your elopement on weekdays or over weekends in the summer as there will be fewer crowds 
• Take time to fully immerse yourself in San Francisco – the city has so much to explore. We recommend staying for at least five nights to experience all this city has to offer. 

San Francisco Things To Do 

San Francisco has so many incredible activities you and your guests can do either before or after your elopement. Whether you want to do something out in nature, relax on a scenic boat ride, or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge there’s something for everyone. 

Here are our recommendations on things you should do during your time in San Francisco: 

• Have a luxury picnic 
• Go wine tasting 
• Take a boat ride 
• Go for a hike in Land’s End 
• Watch the sunrise at Battery Spencer in Marin Headlands 
• Ride a cable car 
• Try cioppino – a tasty, seafood stew 
• Explore the beaches 

How much does a San Francisco elopement cost? 

When it comes to the cost of an elopement in San Francisco, the total number can vary. It really can be as expensive as you want it to be. While you are most likely not going to have all of the normal costs associated with a wedding, here are some of the different things you may still want to budget for: 

• Marriage License 
• Photographer 
• Videographer 
• Florist 
• Makeup artist/hair 
• Attire  
• Permits and Fees 
• Officiant 
• Accommodation 
• Additional activities you and your partner want to do 
• A small reception 
• Transportation

Are You Ready To Elope in San Francisco?  

We hope that this guide gave you all the answers you were looking for when it comes to eloping in San Francisco. 

San Francisco is truly one of a kind and is a place where you could have an unforgettable elopement experience. 

And if you’re still looking for a vendor team for your big day or are ready to start making your stress-free elopement in San Francisco a reality then let’s work together!

We provide you with everything you need, all in one place, including an experienced elopement photographer, an expert planner, a mindful budget and vendor booking strategy, unlimited elopement support, consults, and more! Go here to check out our all-inclusive elopement packages. 

Happy elopement planning!