Best Places to Elope near Brookings, Oregon– Southern Oregon Coast gems

The Oregon Coast is about 500 miles of seemingly limitless options for an adventure elopement. With sprawling beaches, vast dunes, wetlands, bays, forests, bluffs, rolling hills and adorable little towns, the mind boggles at the task of narrowing things down.

The order of this list is North to South (with the exception of the honorable mentions) – from Coos Bay to Brookings. I haven’t listed my favorites first, in fact, many of my favorites are farther south.

If you’re just starting your elopement planning journey, I hope that this article helps you, at least a little. Whether it inspires more research or helps you finally decide on a location… or just entertains a smidgen.

If you need more planning resources, here’s an article about how to elope on the Oregon Coast.

Bandon Beach– 

Bandon is a small town along the coast. As is typical of a beach in southern Oregon, the sand and water are polka dotted with large rocks, reefs and sea stacks. 

It’s a great option for folks who like the aesthetic of a cute coastal town, and prefer not to roam to super remote spots. Many of the locations along the Southern Oregon Coast are quite remote. In Bandon, you can have the dramatic beach landscapes just minutes from your hotel or vacation rental.

Port Orford– 

Farther south, another town full of personality, Port Orford, is a great launching pad for an adventure elopement. 

In town, Port Orford Heads State Park has lovely hiking trails through forest and maritime chaparral, ending in scenic vista points– an excellent option for folks who want to incorporate a little hike. It could also be a potential good spot for a first look for folks staying in Port Orford.

Cape Blanco & Floras Lake– 

Just North of town, the Cape Blanco lighthouse is a scenic spot for an elopement ceremony. I mean, who doesn’t love a good lighthouse? 

The landscape is largely a type of coastal meadow, with grass growing on the sandstone that makes up the cape. There are several miles of trails, all fairly flat and easy. 

Cape Blanco’s very close neighbor is Floras Lake State Natural Area. Yes, there is a lake. And it’s pretty freaking cool, with a lake right next to the sea. An awesome opportunity to paddleboard or kayak on your elopement day, without braving the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Another notable feature of Floras Lake State Natural Area is the Blacklock Cliffs. A 4-mile round trip hike, it’s also pretty flat and easy, and leads you to Blacklock point, which has an incredible vista of an extensive cliff system.

Sisters Rock State Park– 

And now, we turn south. Just farther down Highway 101 from Port Orford, is an absolutely jaw-dropping spot. Two HUGE rocks jutting up from the water, attached to the mainland– which means access even at high tide. A short coastal hike to explore some of the most exciting and scenic topography on the coast. 

Honorable Mentions for Port Orford area: Prehistoric Gardens– 

Ok, this is definitely a bit unorthodox, but definitely a fun option. A small roadside attraction where you can walk among the trees with dinosaurs… perfect for nature nerds and slightly offbeat couples.

Pistol River Area– 

The mouth of the Pistol River is a varied and scenic region of the coast. Rolling dunes, sandy beaches, sandstone rock formations, and even little lakes.

Ariya’s Beach–

Just south of the Pistol River is my all time favorite beach in Southern Oregon… Ariya’s Beach. I love it because the rock formations are so big and they are right on the beach. When the tide is out, the scene is so interactive. The sun sets directly behind the rocks, in different places depending on the time of year, making it a playground of golden light and gentle shadow. There really isn’t a dreamier location for a sunset picnic and portrait session.

Lola Lake Trail–

Lola Lake trail is more of a main event. A diverse hike that birders and plant lovers will love. Through small, octopus-like trees, seas of yellow lupine (that bloom in late spring and early summer), fields of ferns, and grassy dunes, hikers can walk to a relatively undisturbed beach. I’ve never seen many folks here, likely due to the hike it takes to get there. Perfect for folks who might be seeking a bit of adventure and some privacy for a vow exchange.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor– 

This is the location that you’re probably picturing in your head. The spots that pop up in your instagram or pinterest feed. I bet I can guess which landscape you’re thinking of, and I bet it’s along this stretch of coast.

There are many beautiful waysides, hiking spots, and beaches in Samuel H. Boardman, but here’s some of my favorites.

Indian Sands–

An intricate and varied landscape, this is the one spot that I never see any photos from! There are lots of picturesque spots along this stretch of highway 101, so it’s got competition… but I always recommend this spot (though I’ve yet to have clients choose it!). 

What I like about it is the interesting mix of large sand dunes, sandstone formations and forests. There are dramatic cliffs about a half a mile from the parking lot. You’ll make your way downhill through a coastal forest– I found a Great Horned Owl feather there once… it was awesome. 

The coolest thing about this spot, though it has little to do with picking an elopement location, is the archaeological finds that have been made here. Evidence of human presence, dating back to about 10,000 years ago was found. That’s pretty crazy. 

Secret Beach–

Perhaps the most popular spot for an elopement in this area… but for a reason. It is STUNNING. There are a couple of ways to get there. A short but steep hike, or a longer hike that ends up being a little less than a mile one way.

Really, I think the pictures speak for themselves on this one…

Cape Ferrelo & Lone Ranch Beach–

Another lesser used portion of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor… at least in terms of elopements. This spot has a beautiful rolling, grassy cape with a trail down to the beach. Here we have the classic rocky shoreline of the Southern Oregon Coast, which make for epic views for vows.

Brookings– 

This is probably the spot you’ve heard about in your research… or perhaps not! But it is the most well known town for elopements in Southern Oregon. Brookings is the last town in Oregon as you head south on highway 101. Only a few minutes later, you’ll cross the border into California. 

In town, there’s some great places to explore. Honestly, I love elopements that break the mold a little bit. As they rise in popularity, they start to face the same sort of formulaic planning that make traditional weddings stiff… I am not saying that elopements that are simple, beautiful and intentional are stiff… I AM saying that you do not have to follow the formula that you might see on social media. 

All this to say, a picnic on a dock, or a little downtown shopping stint, or a hotel room pizza party… Anything that feels fun and authentic to you is the perfect ingredient for a great elopement. 

Harris Beach–

Harris Beach is yet another of our classic rocky shorelines in Brookings. A truly beautiful scene, and easy to get to. With large rock formations on the beach, scenic offshore sea stacks, and a large accessibility ramp, it is an especially great option for folks who have mobility considerations.

Chetco River–

The Chetco River is WAY overlooked in the elopement scene. It’s all about oceans and mountains and waterfalls… rivers flying under the radar as an amazing option. And in Brookings, you can hit spots along a gorgeous river AND the ocean. In the hot summer sun, is there anything better than taking a dip in clear, crisp river water?

 There are many spots along the Chetco River with stunning mountain views up and down the valley. Some of my favorite spots are Alfred Loeb State Park, the Redwood Nature Trail, and Miller Bar.  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Chetco River Inn. It is nestled up in the valley, and might just be the perfect solution for folks who want river/forest time AND ocean time on their elopement day.

Honorable Mentions

SeaWinds Estate & Sacchi Beach– 

The SeaWinds Estate is a vacation rental just South of Coos Bay. A huge, gorgeous house sitting atop a cliff, overlooking sandstone formations that this section of coast is famous for. With dozens of acres, the house is surrounded by a forest of coastal pines.

This is a great option for folks who want more of a micro wedding. There is plenty of space for family to stay, a large kitchen (that can accommodate a professional chef), stunning views, large porches, even a helipad! In the gardens, there are fun little nooks and crannies to discover. Meandering through the shrubs, and you come up on a peaceful bench.

Sacchi Beach, which is a public beach, can only be accessed from this neighborhood. It’s a bit confusing, since all beaches in Oregon are public, but the way to access it by car is in this gated neighborhood. From Agate beach, just to the south, you could walk around the point if the tide is sufficiently low, but that takes some planning.

Crook Point– 

Crook Point is the name of a geological feature near the Pistol River, but is also the name of a small venue nearby. With options to have a ceremony on the beach, or among the trees, it’s a perfect option for folks who want to combine traditional elements of a wedding with the beauty and freedom of an elopement.

Capella by the Sea–

At Azalea Park in Brookings, there is a beautiful structure, perfect for a small wedding ceremony. In late May, the city hosts the Azalea Festival in the park. If you plan accordingly, you could take advantage of the beautiful blooms. 

Redwoods National & State Park– 

The only reason this is an honorable mention is because it’s in California, not Oregon. It is, however, a short drive from Brookings, the most popular destination town for a Southern Oregon Coast Elopement.

I am big time biased, having grown up in the redwoods, but I seriously can’t imagine a more beautiful forest… this is not to say that other forests aren’t beautiful… I just have extreme reverence for these ancient giants. 

Aside from the trails through the actual trees, there is a gorgeous trail called Fern Canyon. It seriously feels like walking through a prehistoric landscape. Towering vertical walls, covered in maidenhair ferns, surround you as you walk along the bed of a creek.

I would also like to mention that the beaches in Redwoods National and State Parks are highly underrated. I’m a big fan of the rolling, sandy dunes that slope gently into sprawling beaches.

Oregon Coast Photographer

Hi y’all. I’m an Oregon transplant, currently based in Bend, who has spent my entire career leading folks through nature. From teaching 5th graders on the redwood coast of the bay area, to leading scuba trips in Belize– I derive the utmost joy from helping people connect with nature, and now I get to do it for your Best Day Ever. 

While I have not had the opportunity to photographer elopements in ALL the spots listed above, I make it my business (literally), to journey and explore through these places to find unique and picturesque landscapes that can serve two main purposes: 

1. Being an excellent backdrop for a ceremony and photos.
2. Being an interesting place to explore, connect, and be present with for your elopement day.

And you bet, I have gone and explored all these places at least once during my travels. Some of them, more. 

Planning an elopement can be overwhelming– perhaps not AS overwhelming as a traditional wedding, but still. When it comes time to embark upon that journey, I’d be honored to be your guide. Likewise, I’d be happy to just answer any questions you have about eloping in Oregon.

Here’s some more resources to aid you in your planning efforts:

Best Spots on the Oregon Coast

Stunning Redwood Elopement

How to elope in the Columbia River Gorge

How to elope at Smith Rock (Oregon’s desert gem)

Untraditional elopement at Wahclella Falls

Get in touch here, and let’s start dreaming together.

Some more Oregon Elopement Photography