Known for its pristine beaches, Orange County is one of the best places in southern California to plan a beach wedding. Whether you are looking for a sprawling beach with tide pools or a rocky coast with cliffs, there are so many options to choose from! I’ve created this blog post as a resource to help narrow down some of the best outdoor wedding locations for adventure elopements and weddings in Orange County.

1. Crystal Cove State Park

With over 2,400 acres and 3.2 miles of white sand beach, Crystal Cove State Park is a beautiful place to get off the grid in Orange County. Located between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar, this park has four entrances; two inland and two along the coast and is filled with so much to see and do from hiking trails to tide pools to beaches and more.

For more information on getting married within Crystal Cove State Park, visit the state park’s website for the most up-to-date information.

Parking: $5 per hour up to a max of $15

2. Three Arch Bay Beach

Three Arch Bay Beach is a quiet, secluded beach located near Thousand Steps Beach in South Laguna Beach. Access to this beach is quite limited as there are cliffs and residential homes surrounding the beach so the only way to access this area is to enter through the arches at Thousand Steps Beach during low tide.

Due to limited public access, this beach is quiet and secluded, offering the perfect backdrop and privacy for your Orange County elopement.

3. Thousand Steps Beach

Known as one of the largest beaches in South Laguna Beach, the Thousand Steps Beach is a wide, sandy beach offering many activities such as tide pools, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving. During low tide, you can even walk through and explore the sea caves.

Though there is much to see and do, this beach actually remains somewhat quiet and peaceful due to its large size and the 200+ steps required to access the beach.

Parking: Free & Metered Street Parking

4. Treasure Island Beach & Victoria Beach

If you are looking for one of the cleanest beaches in Orange County for your wedding or elopement, Treasure Island Beach is one of the most pristine beaches in the area. Managed by the Montage Resort, this beach is easy to access and has great amenities nearby. With clear water for snorkeling and access to hidden beaches nearby, this beach is truly a treasure of its own.

Parking: Paid Metered Parking

Located nearby is Victoria Beach, home to the famous Pirate Tower. Victoria Beach also has many nearby amenities making it one of the best beaches for both seclusion and adventure.

Parking: Free & Metered Street Parking

5. Little Corona del Mar Tide Pools

As one of the few beaches in Orange County that does not involve stairs to access the beach, Little Corona del Mar provides the perfect place to elope with family and friends, especially if you have guests with limited mobility. This beach features cliffs and rock formations, allowing for some stunning coastal backdrops for your wedding photos.

Parking: Free Street Parking

6. Pearl Street Beach

Also known as Arch Beach, Pearl Street Beach was given its nickname because of a natural arch in a rock formation located off the coast. This beach is great for exploring tide pools and is relatively quiet year round making it another ideal spot for wedding and elopement photos.

Parking: Free & Metered Street Parking

7. Top of The World

If you’re looking for a more adventurous elopement experience, Top of the World is a hiking trail near Laguna Beach that offers some of the best views in Orange County. The 2.4-mile trail will take you to the top of the lookout giving you stunning views from Catalina Island to Mt Baldy.

Parking: Free

8. Red Rock Canyon Trail in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

Red rocks aren’t just something that you have to go to Utah or Arizona to find. Located less than two miles off a busy road in Lake Forest, CA the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is home to over 17 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, one of them being Red Rock Canyon Trail. This trail features oak groves and red rocks which are particularly stunning at sunset. These red rocks offer privacy and seclusion while also providing a stunning backdrop for your Orange County elopement.

Parking: $3 Day Parking

As you can see there is no shortage of outdoor wedding locations in Orange County especially when it comes to beaches. Whether you dream of a beach wedding or an adventure hiking elopement, Orange County has so much to offer.

Need help planning your adventure elopement? Send me a message on my contact page. I’d love to connect!