Ultimate Guide: Top 5 Most-Loved Redwood Elopement Locations Near San Francisco
You’re Forest Dwellers and Outdoor Lovers, you have dreamed of saying “I do” amidst the towering, ancient giants of a redwood forest, then my friend, you just found the right place! In this blog, you’ll find five all time favorite redwood elopement locations near San Francisco and their perks, pricing, logistic requirement and more for each of them.
Things To Consider When Choosing Elopement Locations with Redwoods near San Francisco
Yay!!! Congratulations! If you’re reading this, the first step of you choosing elopement locations with redwoods near San Francisco has officially begin to come true! But before diving deep, let’s ease you in the process with some general info.
- Most redwood elopement locations near San Francisco require a special-use permit for ceremonies (yes, even with just you, your boo, and the trees).
- The special use permit fee varies depending on how many hours you’d need and how many guests you have.
- Some locations may stop issuing permit 30 day prior. Check with park services early so you don’t get an unexpected “nope” from a ranger on your big day.
- You’re required to use native plants for any bouquets and decors to help preserve the health of eco-system in the parks.
- All costs mentioned in this blog reflect on what I have confirmed with each venue at the time of this blog being written. It’s always good to check in with the individual venue again for an updated pricing guide.
Top 5 Redwood Elopement Locations Near San Francisco
Redwood Grove in San Francisco Botanical Garden
I said “near” but this location is actually hidden in San Francisco. Haha! Redwood Grove is one of the many gardens that can host special events inside Golden Gate Park boundary. What makes this location so special and unique is the convenience of it being in the heart of San Francisco. You can literally take public transit to get to your ceremony, and reduce your carbon footprint along the way. Perfect for couples who are planning a eco-friendly wedding! What a fun and amazing way to start your journey!
Redwood Grove offers a 1-hour rental for up to 20 people, and a 2-hour rental for up to 60 people. Bench seating is provided. The rental fee includes the entrance fee into the Botanical Garden, and guests are welcome to arrive early, or stay after the ceremony to enjoy the rest of the Botanical Garden during normal business hours. Please note that the Redwood Grove is a 10–15 minute walk from the entrance and is not wheelchair accessible.
At the time of writing this blog, this space rental fee starts at $1,150. For more accurate information and how to start your rental inquiry, please check out their website and reach out to their event director, Evelyn, who is so lovely to work with!
Muir Woods National Monument
I personally love Muir Woods National Monument the most since I’m a NPS advocate. Hehe! The biggest perk about Muir Woods is that all the trails leading to the ceremony sites are almost all boardwalk or paved trails, making it easy to access for all.
A few things to note when choosing this location:
- Ceremonies are only allowed before 10am and after 4pm during weekdays to avoid crowds.
- No ceremonies are allowed on weekends from March 1st – November 1st every year.
- No pets are allowed.
- Your special event permit covers the entry fee for your party, but parking passes still need to be purchased separately. So try to carpool as much as possible.
- $60 non-refundable application fee whether your permit is accepted or denied.
- Cost is determined by the size of your event. But I cheated for you and got confirmation from the park permit specialist to share that the current cost is $700. That includes park entry for your party but you still need to pay for parking. Please contact permit specialist for an updated cost and read more details at NPS special permit page.
The maps below shows 3 sites you can choose for your ceremony in Muir Woods National Monument. It also shows how many people at each site can host. All three sites are within 20 minutes walk.
East Bay Redwood Regional Park
This big patch of forest offers many ideal spots for your intimate ceremony along easy accessed trails. Some could be as close as 5 minutes walk from the trailhead, some could take a bit of effort to find if you’d like it to be more secluded. But no worries, I know just a few perfect spots that are all within 5-10 minutes walk from the trailhead!
But that’s not the only enticing factor of this location.
This location is permit-free! WHAT? Yes, you heard it right! As long as you’re not renting a facility or a picnic area in this list to host guests after your ceremony, you don’t need to obtain a permit for your ceremony, making it the only permit-free redwood elopement locations near San Francisco!
As your photographer, I’ll be the one who is holding the photography permit for you. All you have to do is just to show up ready to be married! Contact us to take advantage of this perk!
I was told by the permit officer that there’s no guest count limit for a short ceremony. But East Bay Regional Parks Organization can be reached at (510) 544-3164 or via email if you have any other additional questions.
Redwood Grove Amphitheatre in UC Berkeley Botanical Garden
This location is a hidden gem! You get that “deep in the woods” vibe without needing to hike—yep, the amphitheatre is just across the street from the main garden, with its own parking lot and wheelchair access entrance.
The 1-hour rental price starts at $2,000 for up to 12 people and comes with some other sweet perks. Oh, and their pricing page? Actually makes sense! No decoding required! Check out their full pricing information page for more details!
Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Samuel P. Taylor State Park is like the cool, laid-back cousin of Muir Woods—less crowded, yet just as stunning. It’s just about an hour from San Francisco, but feels like a world away, winning the least crowded location of all five redwood elopement locations near San Francisco mentioned in this blog. It’s quiet, underrated, and full of that untouched NorCal wilderness.
Bonus: The redwood ceremony spot is close to the main parking lot but still very secluded. It’s a total vibe with babbling creeks, lush ferns, and those big stamp towering giants doing their dramatic backdrop thing. After the ceremony, you can find private nooks off the beaten path, set up picnic areas for a laid-back, woodsy celebration, or even book a overnight campground to start your honeymoon retreat!
Their Special Event Permit applying process is very similar to Muir Woods. You can find all the additional information including pricing here. Below are just a few quick notes:
- Send in application form with a $200 non-refundable application fee 30 days prior.
- Application within 30 days will be charge for a non-refundable $100 rush fee.
- No permit approval within 14 days.
- Permit fee starts at $200 for less than 50 people.
- No ceremony on weekends and holidays.
- Pets are allowed on leash.
- Parking is not included in your permit.
Another thing to note—Mother Nature’s in charge here. During fire season, parts of Marin (like Fairfax-Bolinas Road and Mount Tam area) can close due to high winds. So plan with a weather-eye, but when it’s open? Pure joy constantly stem from the towering giants.
Alternative Redwood Elopement Locations Near San Francisco
So what if you miss the deadline of getting the permit? Or for some season, the permit gets denied? No sweat! Not a big deal! Check out these alternatives as part of our redwood elopement locations near San Francisco! Plus, you can take advantage of our free planning assistant ever step of the way!
Mill Valley Inn:
Just 15 minute away from Muir Woods National Monument, this hotel tucked away in a beautiful patch of redwood grove. The 2 cottages onsite come with a very private redwood patch right in front of the doorsteps. Reach out to the property ahead to ask permission about having your elopement ceremony before booking! They’re usually very friendly and nice about having a small, quick ceremony.
Airbnbs With Private Redwood Grove:
An Airbnb nestled in a redwood grove makes for a perfect elopement location. While Airbnb’s rules don’t allow wedding receptions or big parties, it’s the perfect place for a relaxed, intimate ceremony. Pro tip: reach out to the host ahead of time to share your plans. Pricing tends to be on the higher side compared to the other five redwood elopement spots near San Francisco. Check out my curated Airbnb list for redwood elopement locations near San Francisco and find your ideal redwood retreat for both ceremony and honeymoon vibes.
Hipcamps With Private Redwood Grove:
If you’re not familiar with Hipcamp, it’s like Airbnb, but for camping! It’s an online platform where you can book unique outdoor experiences—think campgrounds, glamping spots, and even private land for unique and cozy stays tucked away in the wild. But the upside of Hipcamp? Often cheaper than Airbnb!
Explore my handpicked Hipcamp list for alternative redwood elopement locations near San Francisco, perfect for couples wanting to mix a little adventure into their elopement!
Imagine saying your vows beneath ancient trees, then unwinding by a fire under the stars. It’s an unforgettable way to celebrate love surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Post-Ceremony Celebration Ideas
Heck yes, your love deserves a party—no matter how tiny the guest list is!
Why have a post-ceremony celebration? Because this is your freakin’ wedding day! Whether it’s just the two of you or a close group of your favorite humans, this moment marks the beginning of your greatest adventure yet. Your love isn’t small, just because your elopement is. It’s bold, wild, and worth popping some bubbly over.
Think of it as the cherry on top—a chance to breathe it all in, dance in your hiking boots, share a luxury picnic in the park with a beautiful view, or nosh on cake in your camper van rental with messy hair and full hearts. It’s a way to seal in the magic, make new core memories, and create space for joy, reflection, and all the “HECK YES, WE DID THAT!” feels.
Plus—here’s the kicker—it makes your elopement feel complete! The celebration isn’t fluff; it’s the moment you get to honor the hell outta what you just did.
So bring on the culinary at fancy restaurant with old film movie playing in the big screen, a romantic drift in a row boat, the stargazing at the bonfire, the spontaneous first dance on a cliffside, and how about hitting up your favorite brewery for a drink or two? Because this isn’t just a ceremony, it’s a love story worth documenting and partying for.
Vendors That Are Local To These Redwood Elopement Locations Near San Francisco
Other than offering photography and videography package, to ensure you have a smooth and stress-free journey to get hitched, we offer unlimited free planning assistant and guide for our couples. That includes connecting you to amazing local vendors as well! So here is a list of our favorites
Hair & Makeup
Cecilia Yang Styling
Joyce Zhou Designs
Bun Bun Bridal Lab
Lips and Lashes by Elise
Klose-up Beauty
Florals
Flower Corner
Fleurisse Design
Empress Floral Co
Luxury Picnic Rental
Luxury Picnic Bay Area
SF Luxury Picnics
Cake/dessert
Susie Cakes (Gluten-free option available!!!)
Officiant
Ben Miyaji
Rebeca Ruiz Delgadillo
Meant to be ceremonies
Want to be married by your loved one instead?
Easy peasy! Go to Universal Life Church and get ordained for free, or pay $171 at San Francisco City Hall to become a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a day, allowing your friend or family memberto perform a civil ceremony your wedding day.
Then hire Sarah, a professional officiant couch to train your loved one to do the job professionally and intentionally.
Conclusion
So there you have it—some of NorCal’s best redwood elopement locations near San Francisco, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and accessibility. Special Event Permit is always needed in public land. But you can go off to private estates as well. Whether you’re drawn to the towering trees at Samuel P. Taylor or the serene ambiance of the Redwood Grove Amphitheatre, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. With these stunning locations, your redwood elopement will be one for the books!
Ready to say “I do” under the redwoods?
Lastly, enjoy an elopement video we did in one of the Redwood Elopement Locations Near San Francisco!
