With over 1500 square acres of EPIC coastal California cliffs, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a must for your elopement location consideration list! If you are thinking of eloping in California, you’ll want to read our 7 tips on How To Elope in Torrey Pines!

7 tips on How To Elope in Torrey Pines

1. Get the Right Permits

Woah woah – hold your horses!! As much as we wish we could tell you that you can just walk on the beach and get married, it isn’t that easy! You’ll want to email the parks staff to secure a permit for your elopement! Not to worry because they’re easy to get in touch with HERE!

The price changes every so often, but as couple have stated in wedding blogs, the permit is around $500 for the day!

2. Avoid May Gray and June Gloom

Dreaming of a California summer? Wait until August or September because May and June can be foggy by the coast! A phenomenon known as May Gray/June Gloom keeps the coast a little cool and it’s something to be aware of if you really want those glowing sunset pics for your elopement!

3. Grab an IPA from Stone Brewing

Did you really think you were going to go all the way to Torrey Pines without San Diego’s most famous IPA in your hand? Guess again because Stone Brewing IPAs can be found at any local grocery/gas station! You’ll want to pick some of these up to celebrate after your first kiss! 

4. Stay at the Hilton Torrey Pines

Located on the world famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, the Lodge at Torrey Pines is a MUST STAY for your elopement weekend! You’ll wake up to the pristine views of San Diego’s coastal cliffs and be able to take in the rich history of the building which broke ground all the way back in 1961!

Make sure to enjoy your dinner celebration at THE GRILL – a popular restaurant at the Lodge at Torrey Pines! Their Belgian waffles are super fresh – what else could make your morning-after-your-wedding any more special?!

5. Choose Your Ceremony Location

Our next tip on How To Elope in Torrey Pines is to pick where to say your vows! Your whole relationship has led up to this very moment so you want to pick a picturesque scene – we recommend Guy Flemming Overlook because it can accommodate 10-20 guests and is JAW DROPPING! 

Seriously – just look at these epic coastal views:

6. Secure Your Vendors

If you elope in Torrey Pines then you’ll need some vendors to help bring the joy! We recommend not going too crazy with structures and backdrops since the ocean makes for a magical backdrop, but you’ll definitely want to consider these vendors:

7. Pack Shoes With Great Tread 

Did you know that sandstone erodes at 2.7 feet per year? This stuff will crumble right under your feet if you aren’t paying attention to where you walk! Please do yourself a favor and save your heels for another celebration – Torrey Pines is safest to trek with great grip on your shoes!

That’s it for our guide on how to elope in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve! We hope this helps get you excited for your elopement day! If you want to get more inspiration for your elopement in Torrey Pines, check out this intimate elopement!

If you want a fresh Acai bowl on your drive into the park, stop at Vitality Bowls in La Jolla for a fresh bowl of goodies! & If you need help figuring out which ceremony location is the most scenic, contact us today!

Love,

B+S