Ever dreamed of saying your vows on a gorgeous beach, feet in the sand, while you soak in the crisp ocean breeze and listen to the waves hit the shoreline behind you? Maybe you’re surrounded by a few of your closest loved ones or it’s just the two of you, nothing but the seagulls & the rugged coastline serving as the backdrop to your special day. The Oregon Coast is a magical place on its own, but when you combine it with a crazy in love couple who’s ready to promise the rest of their lives to each other, absolutely nothing can beat it. Are you ready to see the 10 best places to elope on the Oregon Coast?

What Are the Best Oregon Coast Elopement Locations?

Based on my experience shooting elopements on the Oregon Coast & doing some research on the most beautiful spots along the coast, here are the top 10 best places to elope on the Oregon Coast:


  1. Cape Kiwanda
  2. God’s Thumb
  3. Cannon Beach
  4. Ecola State Park
  5. Hug Point
  6. Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor
  7. Tillamook
  8. Lincoln City
  9. Depoe Bay
  10. Cape Lookout


After I go through why you should elope on the Oregon Coast real quick, I’ll be telling you a bit more about each location: what the landscape is like, what permits you’ll need, & more. It’s not going to be easy to choose out of all these magical places, but hopefully this guide will at least help you narrow it down just a tad!

Why Elope on the Oregon Coast?

As if you couldn’t already tell from my absolute romanticization of the Oregon Coast in that introduction, I’m obsessed with this part of Oregon and want to shout from the damn rooftops about JUST how spectacular of an option it is for eloping couples.


Here’s just a quick list of reasons why the Oregon Coast is such an epic location for couples looking for the perfect adventure elopement destination in the PNW:


  • The rugged coastlines are unbeatable: lush green forests, rolling hills, out-of-this-world scenery, stunning sand dunes, jagged sea stacks, & so much more!
  • There are tons of hikes for every level of hiker: the Oregon Coast truly has options for everyone, whether you’re looking for a multi-mile elopement day adventure along the coast or a short walk to a great viewpoint.
  • There are plenty of adorable coastal towns to explore: no matter what coastal town you decide to stay in for your elopement, you’ll find plenty of cute little local shops, restaurants, & cafés that are really fun to check out during your time in the area!
  • It’s easy to hit up multiple locations in one trip: because the coast has manyyyy gorgeous spots in close proximity, you can easily hit up more than one beautiful location during your time in the area. You won’t be able to travel from the very northern to the very southern coast in a day, of course, but there are plenty of locations within 1-2 hours of each other that you can spend a day or two exploring!
  • It’s beautiful all year-round: you’ll have the best chance at warm weather & sunny days during the summer, of course, but the coast is super beautiful no matter the time of year. If you’re down for chilly weather and aren’t particularly wanting to go for a swim, and you want to avoid crowds as much as possible, then by all means – elope on the coast in the winter!

10 Best Places to Elope on the Oregon Coast


1. Cape Kiwanda 


Cape Kiwanda is one of my all-time fave elopement locations on the Oregon Coast simply because of its absolutely epic views that are pretty unique to the rest of the coast. Located in Pacific City, this state park is part of the Three Capes Scenic Route, which is an absolutely amazing drive along the coast that you should definitely take if you have the time! Cape Kiwanda offers amazing views of the coastline, of course, but also has superrrr beautiful sandstones that vary in color, from yellow to beige to deep orange to even a clay-red. You can take portraits on the beach, explore the tidepools if the tide is low enough, and then head up the massive sand dune to the top of the iconic sandstone formations overlooking the ocean. Cape Kiwanda offers some of the most incredible scenery of all the coastal locations, in my opinion, which is why it’s become a super popular place for photoshoots & elopements!


Distance from Portland: 1 hr 50 min


Parking/entry requirement: $10/day


Do you need a permit to get married at Cape Kiwanda?

Nope – as long as you’re not setting up any structures/props and aren’t blocking any area from the public, and aren’t having a group of over 50 people, then you’re good to go without a specific permit!

Photo by Danielle Johnson Photo

2. God’s Thumb


God’s Thumb is definitely one of the coolest elopement locations on the Oregon Coast – it literally looks like you’re somewhere in Ireland, not Oregon! You’ll take a 4.3 mile out-and-back, moderately-challenging trail to get to the viewpoint, and from there, you’ll have amazing views of Lincoln City. The hike is steep at some points, and can get muddy during rainy seasons, but it is sooo worth it for the jaw-dropping scenery you get to witness at the end. In the spring, the grassy field known as the Knoll is at its greenest point, and later in the summer/in the drier seasons it turns to brown. Although the green grass in the spring creates a pretty magical landscape, it’s still beautiful during other times of year even if the grass isn’t as vibrant!


Distance from Portland: 2 hr


Parking/entry requirement: None


Do you need a permit to get married at God’s Thumb?

No, you don’t!

3. Cannon Beach


Cannon Beach is one of the most iconic spots on the coast – you’ve probably seen photos of Haystack Rock on a postcard or a computer wallpaper at some point. Located on the northern part of the coast, Cannon Beach is known for its adorable shops & restaurants, long & beautiful sandy beaches, and great views of multiple coves and even a lighthouse! Haystack Rock is crazy popular & gets very crowded when the weather is nice, so I definitely recommend finding a bit more of a secluded beach area for your wedding. But it’s really fun to explore the tide pools by Haystack when the tide is low enough, and the reflections of the rock on the shore are so stunning!


Distance from Portland: 1 hr 30 min


Parking/entry requirement: None, as long as you park in free public parking lots


Do you need a permit to get married at Cannon Beach?

You may need a permit for your Cannon Beach elopement if you’ll have more than 50 people attending or you’re wanting to set up structures/props on the beach. I recommend reaching out to the State Parks Department to talk with someone about whether or not you’ll need a permit, depending on the details of your elopement and what you’re planning for your ceremony. You can find the contact info here in this informational Special Use Permit PDF!

Photo by Danielle Johnson Photo

4. Ecola State Park


So Cannon Beach is actually technically part of Ecola State Park, but I wanted to include a separate section about it since the park encompasses so much more than just the Cannon Beach area! The park stretches along 9 miles of the coast and has sooo many amazing spots for sightseeing, hiking, and overall just exploring the beauty of the coast. It’s one of the best areas for hiking along the coast, and would be so perfect for a morning hike before a ceremony down on the beach, or a hike before you head further down the coast for your vow exchange!


Distance from Portland: 1 hr 30 min


Parking/entry requirement: Day-Use Parking Permit (available on-site) or Annual Permit


Do you need a permit to get married at Ecola State Park?

Since Ecola State Park is, well, a state park, you’ll need to follow Oregon State Park regulations as far as wedding ceremonies go. You will most likely only need a permit if your wedding has over 50 people attending, in which case you should follow the instructions outlined in this Oregon State Parks Special Use Permit guide – but keep in mind that every state park is slightly different. I recommend contacting the park office via the phone number listed on this page to confirm whether or not you will need a permit based on the details of your elopement.

Photo by Danielle Johnson Photo

5. Hug Point


Hug Point is definitely one of the top Oregon Coast elopement locations because of the variety of scenery it offers, compared to some of the other spots that are still beautiful – but are limited to sandy beaches. Hug Point State Recreation Site is super close to Cannon Beach and offers easy beach access, as well as super cool sea caves, jagged cliff sides, luscious greenery, and even a little waterfall!! You’ll want to visit when the tide is somewhat low so that you can make it to the part of the beach that has the caves, waterfall, and greenery. Whether you stay down by the water or also take some time to hike up the little cliff & take in the gorgeous views, Hug Point is an amazing location to hit up on the same day as Cannon Beach since they’re so close to each other!


Distance from Portland: 1 hr 30 min


Parking/entry requirement: None


Do you need a permit to get married at Hug Point?

Nope – as long as you’re not setting up any structures/props and aren’t blocking any area from the public, and aren’t having a group of over 50 people, then you’re good to go without a specific permit!

Photo by Danielle Johnson Photo

6. Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor


The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is a spot on the coast that I have yet to visit, but one that I am absolutely DYINGGG to see in-person. It’s located on the super southern tip of the coast, just 15 minutes from the California border, so it’s definitely a trek from the northern coast & the rest of the PNW. But the drive is so worth it for the crazy insane views you get everywhere you look! Secluded beaches, rugged cliff sides, coves & caves galore, unique sea stacks, and a variety of trails to explore? Count me IN!!


Distance from Portland: 5 hr 40 min


Parking/entry requirement: None


Do you need a permit to get married at the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor?

Nope – as long as you’re not setting up any structures/props and aren’t blocking any area from the public, and aren’t having a group of over 50 people, then you’re good to go without a specific permit!

7. Tillamook


Tillamook is a cute coastal town on the northern Oregon Coast, best known for being home to the Tillamook Creamery (delish ice cream & cheese? Yes please!). You can explore the miles and miles of forests, hiking trails, and sandy beaches, drive around the town and grab a bite to eat, and find a cozy place to stay a little more off-the-beaten-path than spots like Cannon Beach.


Distance from Portland: 1 hr 30 min


Parking/entry requirement: None, as long as you park in free public parking lots


Do you need a permit to get married at Tillamook Bay?

Nope – as long as you’re not setting up any structures/props and aren’t blocking any area from the public, and aren’t having a group of over 50 people, then you’re good to go without a specific permit!

8. Lincoln City


I know I already talked about God’s Thumb, which is located in Lincoln City, but I wanted to dedicate a section specifically to Lincoln City and the scenic beaches that it has to offer! Located on the central coast of Oregon, Lincoln City has plenty of sandy beaches (duh), hidden coves, tide pools, small islands, and cute local shops + restaurants. It’s a great place to book an Airbnb and make your home base for your time on the coast while you drive around & explore spots to the north and south as well!


Distance from Portland: 2 hr


Parking/entry requirement: None, as long as you park in free public parking lots


Do you need a permit to get married in Lincoln City?

Nope – as long as you’re not setting up any structures/props and aren’t blocking any area from the public, and aren’t having a group of over 50 people, then you’re good to go without a specific permit!

9. Depoe Bay


Depoe Bay is a little bit of a lesser-known, less crowded part in Lincoln City that I wanted to highlight, known for its great whale watching opportunities and obviously gorgeous coastline views. So if you want to elope during whale watching season and try to see some during your time in the area, Depoe Bay will definitely be your best bet! The best times of year to see the whales are around late December to January, and mid-March to May.


Distance from Portland: 2 hr 15 min


Parking/entry requirement: None, as long as you park in free public parking lots


Do you need a permit to get married at Depoe Bay?

Nope – as long as you’re not setting up any structures/props and aren’t blocking any area from the public, and aren’t having a group of over 50 people, then you’re good to go without a specific permit!

10. Cape Lookout


Last but not least we’ve got Cape Lookout, a state park located along the northern coast, just southwest of Tillamook. It’s also a great place for whale watching, and features crazy cool, rugged rock formations that jut out into the ocean! It’s definitely an iconic Oregon landmark and is also a great place for camping, if you’d rather cozy up in your sleeping bag than rent an Airbnb.


Distance from Portland: 1 hr 30 min


Parking/entry requirement: Day-Use Parking Permit (available on-site) or Annual Permit


Do you need a permit to get married at Cape Lookout?

You will most likely only need a permit if your wedding has over 50 people attending, in which case you should follow the instructions outlined in this Oregon State Parks Special Use Permit guide – but keep in mind that every state park is slightly different. I recommend contacting the park office via the phone number listed on this page to confirm whether or not you will need a permit based on the details of your elopement.

Oregon Coast Elopement Photographer


There you have it, friends – the 10 best places to elope on the Oregon Coast!! I hope this list helped give you an idea of the incredible scenery the coast has to offer, and can help you narrow down your location options for your elopement day.


And if you’re searching for an Oregon Coast elopement photographer to document your beautiful day at any of these spectacular locations, I’d love to be considered! You can learn more about me & see more of my elopement work on my website here, and contact me here so we can start chatting about your Oregon Coast elopement. Can’t wait to see which location(s) you explore on your big day!!


Looking for more PNW elopement guides + resources? Take a look at some of my recent blog posts below!