My last post was all about planning your perfect Oregon Coast elopement, but I didn't mention any specific places. That's because there are honestly so many incredible options that the list is absolutely huge! In this post, I'll share my experience and give you the most comprehensive (but hopefully not overwhelming) list of truly amazing locations for your elopement.

I'd love for you to add any locations you know and love to this list in the comments below, and please feel free to share this guide on social media!

Best Season to Elope on the Oregon Coast

As I mentioned in my previous post, the Oregon Coast experiences all four seasons with pretty unpredictable weather. While you can absolutely enjoy summer sunshine and fun water activities, if you choose winter for your elopement, you should be prepared for some beautifully moody, dramatic photos. So, the very first question when planning your Oregon Coast elopement is: when is the best season to make it happen? Here's what you need to know about each season:

Spring

This time of year is absolutely perfect for couples who want to spend their special day in a peaceful, quiet atmosphere while experiencing the beauty of nature waking up from winter. Daily temperatures are generally comfortable and mild, ranging from 50-60°F (10-15°C). Yes, it does rain quite a bit, but by late spring, those green hillsides and coastal lawns are completely saturated with moisture and carpeted with blooming wildflowers. The beaches and cozy coastal towns are wonderfully empty, so you can enjoy relaxing walks while taking in all the natural beauty around you. Just make sure you're prepared for some cloudy weather and have a solid backup plan in case certain locations aren't accessible.

Summer

Summer is generally the driest time of year, although you should still expect some rain (this is Oregon, after all!). This is when you'll find many festivals and events happening. For example, Astoria hosts their Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, and Cannon Beach holds a famous Sandcastle Contest every June. It's time for water activities and exploring all those trails and beaches. However, I don't recommend this season because the beaches are crowded and it's hard to find parking. Additionally, peak season means high prices. If you do decide to choose summer for your elopement, opt for a weekday sunrise or sunset ceremony and avoid popular spots like Cannon Beach. Instead, explore Southern Oregon or the quieter coastal towns in between.

Fall

Fall is the time to experience nature in its full, gorgeous color palette. And it's also perfect for food lovers! September, October, November, and December are prime times for crabbing, and November is actually the best month for clamming because the biotoxin levels in clams are at their lowest. Plus, in November, you can participate in the famous Seaside Wine Walk – how romantic is that?

During fall, the weather is still wonderfully mild, and since the summer crowds have gone home, it's absolutely the perfect time to relax and have the beaches mostly to yourselves. September and October are great options, but I should point out that it can be rainy and foggy, especially in October.

Winter

This is hands-down the best time for couples who want those incredibly atmospheric, dramatic elopement photos. If you want to witness the raw power of ocean storms, winter on the Oregon Coast is absolutely breathtaking. You'll have fog, rain, and those powerful, crashing waves as the most dramatic backdrop imaginable for your photos.

Winter is also prime time for spotting migrating gray whales along the Oregon Coast. Imagine having whales as witnesses to your ceremony! And if you love cozy evenings snuggled up with your loved one by a crackling fireplace, this is definitely your season.

Where to Stay When Eloping on the Oregon Coast

Oregon has an incredible 362-mile coastline divided into three distinct zones, each with its own unique landscapes and attractions. I always recommend staying close to the places you've chosen for your elopement ceremony and photos.

For example, if you're dreaming of a beach elopement ceremony, choosing one of the charming coastal towns as your home base is absolutely the way to go!

Here's my carefully curated list of amazing places to stay, along with the reasons I recommend each one:

Hallmark Resort (Cannon Beach)

This is a cozy spa hotel that sits right on Cannon Beach, just steps from Haystack Rock. The hotel rooms have stunning ocean views. The hotel has everything to make your romantic adventure unforgettable.

Stephanie Inn (Cannon Beach)

A great hotel for elopements, as it specializes in micro weddings and offers additional services you may need. The hotel has a restaurant that serves local seafood dishes, and there's an excellent spa.

Ecola Haven and Beachcomber Vacation Homes (Cannon Beach)

Cozy and charming A-frame, just steps from the beach. Located in the perfect spot where the estuary meets the sea, yet only 2 blocks from downtown Cannon Beach. A large deck and yard. With three bedrooms and two and a half baths, there is space for 6 to 8 people.

Home with a Private Beach (Cannon Beach)

This home features panoramic views of the ocean and Haystack Rock, and its own private beach access to the soft sand below. Inside, walls of windows showcase the incredible views and stunning sunsets. It’s an amazing location close to downtown Cannon Beach.

Guest Suite (Brookings)

Perched on a cliff with stunning views directly above the beach, this Airbnb offers breathtaking ocean vistas. You're never far from beach access: North Harris Beach at Harris Beach State Park is just a two-minute drive away with convenient beach-level parking.

For tide pooling adventures, Lone Ranch Beach lies four minutes north, where you can discover starfish and fascinating marine life in natural pools. The harbor's spectacular driftwood-strewn beach is only five minutes south.

Resident gray whales frequent these waters, with the best viewing opportunities in summer and fall when they feed closer to shore.

Heceta Head Lighthouse B&B (Florence)

This incredible bed & breakfast (with only six rooms) is nestled in one of the last remaining lightkeeper's cottages on the entire Pacific Coast! If you stay here, you'll have so many options for unique photos: with the historic lighthouse itself or on that gorgeous handcrafted wooden staircase. Plus, you're only a 35-minute hike from the famous Sea Lion Caves, where you can watch these beautiful creatures, and just 40 minutes by car from the Oregon Dunes.

Pelican Bay Lighthouse (Brookings)

While the previous accommodation lets you stay in a lightkeeper's cottage, here you can actually experience what it's like to live in a real lighthouse! This amazing property has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, sleeping 1-8 people, so it's perfect if you want to bring family or friends along. It's located near Brookings, which is famous for its incredibly diverse and scenic beaches.

A-Frame Cabin with Sauna and Hot Tub (Falcon Cove)

This beautifully remodeled 1969 Mid-Century Modern A-frame is located just two blocks from the pristine, quiet Falcon Cove Beach. It's at the southern end of Arch Cape, right next to Oswald West State Park, and only two miles from one of Oregon's most popular surfing and hiking destinations – Smugglers Cove (also known as Short Sands).

Ocean View Cottage (Depoe Bay)

Depoe Bay is hands-down the best location for whale watching on the entire coast! The best times to spot whales, especially gray whales, are from late March to June during their northbound migration and from mid-December to mid-January during their southbound journey. This charming cottage with incredible ocean views is just one of many accommodations in the area, but it's particularly beautiful and cozy.

RV Resort on Cannon Beach (Cannon Beach)

Cannon Beach's RV Resort is a full-service, full-hookup facility that can accommodate everything from pop-up trailers to large RVs. It features an indoor pool and hot tub, and staying here gives you the absolute easiest access to world-famous Cannon Beach.

Historic Sylvia Hotel (Newport)

Located in the charming Nye Beach neighborhood, this historic hotel invites you to step back in time and enjoy a true digital detox. It features Literary Genre Themed Rooms, a beautiful lounge, and nostalgic design throughout, plus an amazing library and... well, let's just say it comes with quite a few ghost stories! If you're eloping on the Oregon Coast specifically because you love that moody winter weather and cinematic atmosphere that Hollywood uses for thriller movies, this is absolutely the perfect place for you.

Best Places for Foodies to Elope on the Oregon Coast

Oregon is an absolute paradise for food lovers! The state has developed its own incredible cuisine featuring locally sourced seafood, artisanal cheeses, and world-class wines. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to make dining a special part of your elopement experience. The great news is that most restaurants and cafes along the Oregon Coast work on a first-come, first-served basis, so you don't need to stress about reservations everywhere you go.

Local Ocean (Newport)

This is the perfect place to experience the absolute best local seafood. They source directly from 30 local fishing boats, which keeps your food dollars supporting the local economy.

Restaurant Beck (Depoe Bay)

This sophisticated restaurant provides locally sourced American cuisine with absolutely breathtaking panoramic ocean views. They serve exceptional local wines and beers alongside the finest foraged ingredients and local farm produce. The owners are well-known and award-winning chefs, so you know you're in for something special.

Tidal Waves (Depoe Bay)

Fantastic seafood restaurant “Tidal Waves” is located in one of the most popular whale-watching spots, offering incredible ocean views. It doesn't accept reservations but offers great vegetarian options.

Wanda's Cafe + Bakery (Nehalem)

Perfect for amazing breakfast, lunch, coffee, and cocktails. The cafe where you can try artesanal bread and sweets operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive a little early if you can!

Nehalem Bay Winery (Mohler)

This cozy winery, established in 1974, is one of Oregon's ten oldest wineries and one of the very first tasting rooms located right on the Oregon Coast. Here you can try traditional white and red varietals made from celebrated, world-class fruit from the Willamette Valley, plus a wonderful selection of fruit wines.

Kelly's Marina (Rockaway Beach)

A perfect place for beginners to learn crabbing and for experienced crabbers to enjoy the sport. The best part? They'll cook your catch at no extra cost!

Pelican Brewing (Cannon Beach)

This local brewery features an excellent restaurant that operates on a first-come, first-served basis and welcomes dogs on their patio. It's a roomy, airy craft brewpub offering brewery tours, rotating taps, gourmet pub fare, and lovely patio seating.

Bridgewater Bistro (Astoria)

Popular, stylish restaurant. I sits right on the shore with absolutely breathtaking river views. Here you can order local, sustainable foods from Oregon, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. During high season, it's smart to make reservations in advance to ensure they have a table for you.

Coffee Girl (Astoria)

Charming coffee shop that offers pastries, gluten-free options, and a wonderfully cozy interior, plus gorgeous water views. It's located right on the Columbia River in the West's oldest cannery building. Coffee Girl features high-quality espresso, pastries, breakfast, and lunch.

Best Places to Elope on the Oregon Coast

Oregon is honestly one of the most incredible places in the world to elope! It has countless secluded spots perfect for intimate ceremonies, and many of them are completely free for groups of fewer than 50 people. Here's my list of absolutely stunning locations for couples who truly appreciate intimate, private celebrations.

Hug Point

This very picturesque and secluded beach is perfect for elopements. The beach features a rugged coastline with caves and tree-covered cliffs. There's even a small waterfall. It's important to check Tide Charts in advance when visiting this location, because the major part of the beach is usually inaccessible during high tide.

Arcadia Beach

Just a mile from Cannon Beach is the equally beautiful but less popular (and therefore less crowded) Arcadia Beach. This beach doesn't have many rocks in the water, but it does offer beautiful waves.

Cape Kiwanda

This beach is just half a mile from the small coastal town of Pacific City and is famous for its dramatic cliffs. It has its own Haystack Rock, which is 100 feet taller than the formation of the same name on popular Cannon Beach.

Elk Flats Trail and Devil's Cauldron Overlook

This is a fairly popular 1.5-hour hiking route with ocean views. Along the way, you'll see meadows, bare rocks, and forest groves. There are plenty of spots for epic photo shoots and secluded spots for elopements.

Ecola State Park Viewpoint

Ecola State Park stretches along 9 miles of spectacular coastline. Ecola's trails offer dramatic cliffside viewpoints of coves, forested promontories, and even a long-abandoned lighthouse. The diverse landscape lets you capture your love story with a temperate rainforest, ocean panoramas, rugged coastline, sea caves, and other natural treasures as your backdrop.

Indian Beach

Indian Beach is located within Ecola State Park. It's famous for being a filming location for the movie “Twilight.” It also has stunning, surreal views, especially at sunset or in the fog. The beach is just as beautiful as Cannon Beach, but since it's not heavily publicized, you can find a secluded spot for an elopement or photo session.

Crescent Beach

Another beach at Ecola State Park is accessible via a 2.2-mile hike from Ecola Point. The beach is famous for its prominent headlands and sea stacks. When the waves recede, you can not only walk along the beach but also explore hidden caves.

Brookings (Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor)

This coastal town is known for the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. My favorite place for elopements here is Secret Beach. This location is perfect for those who want to combine a visit to the Redwoods in California with a beach experience. Secret Beach is only a 40-minute drive from the nearest redwoods (Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park), as Brookings sits on the Oregon-California border.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

This incredible place actually became the inspiration for Frank Herbert's science-fiction classic "Dune." It's a beautiful, seemingly endless sandy landscape with a diverse ecosystem full of life. On the beach, you can spot seabirds, sea lions, and gray whales, but when you're in the sand dunes themselves, you'll feel like you're lost in a vast desert. If you're bringing a vehicle like a motorcycle or truck with a license plate, you'll need a permit for the trails or sand dunes.

Cannon Beach

This iconic beach was named one of the world's 100 most beautiful places by National Geographic. Yes, the beach is really beautiful, but during the peak summer season, it is too crowded and therefore not really suitable for elopements. Choose it only if your elopement is planned for the off-season or winter.

Anyway, thanks to the well-developed infrastructure, there's plenty to do here, with excellent restaurants, shops, and coffee shops all nearby. It's also dog-friendly.

Best Venues to Elope on the Oregon Coast

Since most natural spots allow small weddings with fewer than 50 guests without special permits, virtually any place can become your venue. However, if you want to elope at a special, dedicated venue, here's my list of truly noteworthy options:

Crook Point (Gold Beach)

Crook Point offers six absolutely unparalleled outdoor wedding venues. Nestled on the rugged Oregon coast, this private estate boasts dramatic cliffs, sweeping ocean vistas, and a pristine, hidden beach that creates the most intimate, romantic atmosphere imaginable. Picture exchanging vows against the backdrop of the Pacific's endless horizon, with the sound of waves and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape enhancing every single moment.

The Ruins at the Astor (Astoria)

A unique wedding venue is located in historic downtown Astoria in a beautifully abandoned hotel. The 1924 building retains its original finishes with charming signs of time and age. The venue is perfect for atmospheric weddings thanks to its absolutely unique, moody ambiance.

Haystack Gardens (Cannon Beach)

This newly renovated private garden hosts small events and is within easy walking distance of the famous Cannon Beach. It's intimate and perfectly maintained.

The Hydrangea Ranch (Tillamook)

A stunning venue features two barns and is located on Oregon's premier flower farm, Oregon Coastal Flowers. The 33' by 40' barn is ideal for elopements and is beautifully adorned with full-dimensional rough-cut lumber, decorative concrete, and a gorgeous, authentic rock wall. This is a pet-friendly venue with convenient RV parking.

Overleaf Event Center (Yachats)

This cozy venue is specifically designed for small weddings and elopements. Located on the grounds of a spa hotel, it's a striking example of seaside architecture – a beautiful wooden house with red walls and a charming sloping roof. The ocean views here are absolutely breathtaking.

Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast (Florence)

This venue is a historic 130-year-old lighthouse and keeper's cottage, and they specialize in catering to elopements. It offers incredibly beautiful sea views and is overall one of the most photogenic places you could imagine.

Weddings Oregon Coast at Coastal Cliffs (Brookings)

This is a relatively new venue positioned right on the ocean, and the views are absolutely mind-blowing! The venue offers packages designed specifically for elopements and intimate weddings, which include not only the ceremony venue rental but also a honeymoon suite. The pricing is very reasonable.

Oregon Coast Elopement Photography Packages

As your Oregon Coast elopement photographer, I offer wonderful package options. These packages are designed around different time commitments. For North Oregon: 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, or two-day elopements. For Central Oregon and South Oregon: 8 hours, 12 hours, or two-day elopements.

Every single one of my packages includes:

Complete planning assistance: location scouting, vendor recommendations, guidance with permits, and building your perfect timeline
Photography coverage ranging from four hours to two full days
Beautifully edited, full-resolution photos that you'll treasure forever
Password-protected online gallery with unlimited downloads
A gorgeous sneak peek within just one week of your elopement day
Personal printing rights so you can create whatever keepsakes you'd like
Complimentary officiant service (more on this amazing bonus below!)
A wonderful surprise: travel fees are completely included! I'll meet you anywhere along the Oregon Coast at no extra cost to you

You'll also receive my comprehensive Ultimate Elopement Guide (over 100 pages covering absolutely everything you need to know about planning an elopement).

Based on your unique vision and dreams, I'll create a completely personalized elopement timeline just for you.

Meet Your Oregon Coast Elopement Photographer

If you've read this far, you're probably ready to start planning your Oregon Coast elopement adventure. So it's time for you to meet me – the person behind the camera who'll be capturing your most precious moments.

Here are a few important things about me that will help you feel confident in your choice:

My name is Valerie Lisuk, but please call me Val! I'm a local photographer based in Seattle, and I specialize in shooting elopements throughout the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. I know this region incredibly well – not just from years of professional experience, but also because my husband and I absolutely love to hike and explore. We spend our year visiting locations for scouting purposes, and we're particularly experienced with Oregon Coast elopements. You can absolutely count on me to find the most perfect, breathtaking spots to capture your special day.
Being a local photographer means I can recommend the very best service options based on your specific needs and budget. I know all the top elopement vendors and accommodation options, and I can help you create your absolute dream elopement – even if you're planning at the last minute!
Here's something really special: my husband Pasha assists me during photo sessions and is also an ordained officiant. His wedding ceremony service is completely free for all my photography clients. So when you book me as your photographer, you're also getting a wonderful, experienced officiant for your elopement or intimate wedding.
There are absolutely no travel fees for Oregon Coast elopements – this is included in every package.
Since unexpected things can sometimes happen (we are dealing with Mother Nature, after all!), I always create a comprehensive backup plan for every single one of my clients. If weather, road conditions, or any other circumstances prevent us from following our original plan, I promise I'll help you have an absolutely amazing experience anyway.

The final step toward your ideal Oregon Coast elopement is booking an initial call with me. I'd love to hear all about your dreams and help make them come true!

Book a Call