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May 6, 2022
The Oregon Coast is truly out of this world – you have to see it to believe the incredible cliffs over the ocean, the rocky sea stacks in the water, the wild, remote places where you can exchange vows as the water crashes below you, and the adorable beach towns where you can relax after a day of once in a lifetime adventure!
If you’re planning to tie the knot here in Oregon, the coast is one of the absolute best places for an elopement. But with 363 miles of shoreline, you’ll need to narrow down your options! In this guide, you’ll find 10 of the most incredible Oregon Coast elopement locations, from cute seaside towns to remote oceanfront spots.
A few things to keep in mind about eloping on the Oregon Coast – time of day is important! Some locations might not be accessible at high tide, and lighting makes a huge difference. Planning your elopement for sunrise or sunset, especially in the less forested, more open areas will ensure amazing light and prevent harsh sun in your face. Crowds are also a factor, and while sunrise will be your best bet for empty beaches and uncrowded trails, sunset is usually less popular than the middle of the day!
The Northern Oregon Coast is the most developed part of the coast, and tends to be the most popular for travelers. Here you’ll find cute beach towns and historic cities amongst the dramatic coastline, so if you’re looking for somewhere where you can go from the beach to exploring local shops and restaurants, here are the best Northern Oregon Coast elopement locations!
Cannon Beach is one of the most iconic spots on the Oregon Coast. The beach itself is famous for Haystack Rock, which pokes dramatically through the water and is a popular spot for puffins to nest. You can elope on the beach, and stay in town in one of the cute seaside hotels or oceanfront rental homes. It’s perfect for couples who want to explore local gems in town, but keep in mind that the beach is busy – you’ll definitely want to plan your ceremony for a weekday, and eloping at sunrise can help you avoid some of the crowds.
For wheelchair access to the beach, the Manzanita Vistor’s Center & Bahama Boards offers free loans for beach wheelchairs – they have thick tires that will handle the sand better than a standard chair. Note on the beach wheelchairs – if you’re using one, you will need someone to push you while on the beach as they are not able to be self-powered.
You can find also some ADA accessible elopement locations in Oregon in this guide!
Just north of Cannon Beach, you’ll find Ecola State Park – a gorgeous park with scenic overlooks and hiking trails, so you can choose from easily accessible spots or longer hikes down to the beach, where you’ll see fewer people out and about. This is one of the best Oregon Coast elopement locations if you want to stay in Cannon Beach, but go somewhere a little more private to exchange vows! Important to Note – Ecola State Park has had long-standing issues with erosions & landslides that have continuously closed most of the park access. There’s more about that here from a late 2021 article. If you are planning to elope at Ecola State Park, be sure to check the park for updates and have a Plan B location like Oswald West State Park.
Oswald West State Park is one of the most underrated spots on the Oregon Coast, making it the perfect elopement location! The hikes take you through lush forest groves to reach stunning cliffs over the ocean and gorgeous sandy beaches.
Short Sands Beach is a great, short hike in the park! The trail is paved, with a gentle slope until you reach a picnic area by the beach, making it a great location with minimal hiking.
The Hug Point State Recreation Site is close to Cannon Beach, but offers a much less popular elopement location on the coast! Here you’ll find sea caves, tide pools, and even a waterfall to explore, and while the beach is pretty crowded during the day, there are some hidden spots at Hug Point where you can find more privacy.
The Central Oregon Coast has lots of lighthouses, beach towns, and gorgeous scenery. You’ll find a lot of inland hiking trails, as well as some spots right by the water!
The God’s Thumb trial is one of the most incredible Oregon Coast elopement locations – it’s absolutely jaw dropping, with a vaguely thumb shaped cliff that towers over the water. The hike is about 4 miles long, but it’s pretty steep! This one’s definitely a bit of a challenge, but great for couples who want to hike on their elopement day – and the views are absolutely worth a little bit of huffing and puffing.
The Yaquina Head Natural Area is best known for its lighthouse – which happens to be the tallest one on the Oregon Coast! There are a few hiking trails to choose from, including an ADA accessible boardwalk that will take you to a platform with gorgeous views of the ocean. There are also a number of beautiful sandy beaches along this area that are perfect for your Oregon Coast elopement!
In the Suislaw National Forest, you’ll find the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area – one of the best Oregon Coast elopement locations! You can take a short trail to the top to see the ocean from above, or hike to the famous Devil’s Churn – a spot where the water hits the jagged cliffs to create a turbulent whirlpool.
The Southern Oregon Coast is the most remote, with less developed beaches and more rugged hikes through wild, scenic coastline! It’s perfect for couples who want a little more privacy, as there are some spots that are much lesser known and off the beaten path.
This Oregon coast elopement location is best known for the natural bridges – rocky arches that connect two sea stacks, creating an absolutely epic view of the ocean. You can explore the trails around here to see the bridges from a distance, and you can even head down to walk across the rocks – though this adventure is definitely one to take at your own risk, because the rocks can be slippery and the pathways are pretty narrow!
Bandon is a cute beach town on the Southern Oregon Coast, offering lots of places to stay and local spots to eat. Bandon Beach is a gorgeous elopement location, with incredible sea stacks dotting the shoreline and poking through the water, creating a unique landscape and an epic backdrop for your elopement!
This one is a little further inland, but if you want to see the towering coastal Redwoods, it’s one of the best Oregon Coast elopement locations! The trail is a short loop that takes you through groves of old growth trees, offering some magical forest views close to the beach.
When you’re planning your own Oregon Coast elopement, every detail should be personal, meaningful, and just right for you! As someone who eloped in the forest of Oregon with an intimate ceremony that was absolutely perfect for us, my goal is to make sure every couple has a wedding day that’s nothing short of magical.
I’ll create a personalized list of potential elopement locations, give you all the tips and advice about the best time to elope, create a custom elopement timeline, and everything you need to plan the perfect day! Contact me if you’re ready to elope on the Oregon Coast, and let’s start planning!
[…] is known for its awe inspiring scenery, and amongst the rolling hills, rugged coastlines, and cascading waterfalls, you’ll find incredible tree groves, woodland canopies, and absolutely […]