San Francisco Elopement Guide: The Best Places to Elope
Welcome to your San Francisco Elopement Guide! Here you’ll find the best and most photogenic locations in San Francisco where you and your partner can elope.
First, some general information about the city: San Francisco is ideally situated on the California coast with water on three sides which makes for temperate weather most of the year. It’s also prone to ocean breezes and fog, particularly in the summertime. Fog is such a regular occurrence here that the locals gave it a name: Karl the Fog. Because San Francisco is surrounded by water on three of its sides, Karl comes for frequent visits whenever the inland temperatures start to rise. (By the way, don’t be sad if the fog rolls in on the day of your elopement — it’s the perfect lighting for portraits!) There are basically three types of weather in San Francisco: foggy, clear skies, or the occasional rain.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to visit San Francisco and elope in the sunshine, your best bet is to visit in the fall.
As one of the hilliest cities in the world, you’ll be treated to views in every direction from many different vantage points. There are so many epic viewpoints to celebrate your elopement, your main dilemma will be narrowing it down to pick a favorite.
Even though San Francisco is less than fifty square miles, it’s one of the most varied cities neighborhood to neighborhood, not just in temperature (which can be as much as nine degrees different from one part of the city to the next), but also the way a neighborhood looks and feels. Prepare to experience a ton of variety in a small amount of space. From the foggy and laidback outer neighborhoods by Ocean Beach, to the towering eucalyptus groves and historical buildings in the Presidio, to the hustle and bustle of downtown and the Embarcadero — there’s always something new to see when exploring San Francisco.
Pro Tip: Always bring a spare jacket when you’re in San Francisco! It can be 90s and above everywhere else in California, but San Francisco will still be in the high 60s. Just ask Mark Twain.
San Francisco Elopement Guide: The Best Places to Elope
Golden Gate Park
Shakespeare Garden
De Young Museum
Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden aka the Dutch Windmill
The Conservatory of Flowers
San Francisco Botanical Garden
San Francisco City Hall
Stern Grove
Baker Beach
The Presidio
Sunnyside Conservatory
Stable Cafe
Sutro Heights Park
Lafayette Park
Keep scrolling for details and photos for each location!
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is San Francisco’s largest park with over 1000 acres of beautiful outdoor space. There is so much variety here from different types of gardens, lakes, meadows, and a huge range of activities to enjoy.
There are so many gorgeous spots to elope — I’ve highlighted the most popular ones below.
Shakespeare Garden
The Shakespeare Garden is the most popular wedding site to reserve in Golden Gate Park. Featuring flowers straight from Shakespeare’s written works, this charming English garden is a tranquil place to say your vows.
Location: Close to the Academy of Sciences on the east side of the park.
Tips:
Be sure to wear shoes that can handle damp grass. High heels not recommended without protectors — you don’t want your shoes to sink into the ground!
Double check any scheduled events happening at the neighboring Academy of Sciences to make sure it won’t impact your celebration.
Best reason to elope in the Shakespeare Garden: You want to share your vows in a peaceful and manicured garden with English vibes.
de Young Museum
The de Young Museum is a stunning location, inside and out. Within its modern façade are a wide range of artwork from different parts of the world, different time periods, and different mediums. You’ll find everything from American oil paintings from the 17th century to African textiles to rotating exhibitions that focus on fashion. As an elopement venue, there are several options to choose from, both inside and out.
Location: East side of Golden Gate Park, close to 10th Avenue in the Inner Richmond.
Tips:
As is often the case with event spaces that are also open to the public, private access can be somewhat limited to after hours. However, there’s a fantastic redwood grove just a short walk away that’s great for photos if you need a secondary location for portraits!
While access to the museum itself requires a paid entry, you can head up to the Hamon Observatory Tower (with its 360 degree views of the park and city) for free.
Be sure to check out the Sculpture Garden and the “Three Gems” on the west side of the museum!
Best reason to elope at the de Young Museum: You love modern architecture and museum vibes.
Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden + the Dutch Windmill
The Dutch Windmill is such an iconic spot in Golden Gate Park. Originally built in 1903, it’s hard to miss the top of the windmill poking out above the trees as you cruise along nearby Ocean Beach. (Fun fact: there’s a second windmill across the way called the Murphy Windmill.) The surrounding Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden is always bursting with colors and freshly planted blooms as the flowers are regularly refreshed for each season. The Dutch Windmill is the perfect place to stop for a picnic after a nice bike ride through the park and a great place to get married.
Location: All the way on the western end of the park, by Ocean Beach.
Tips:
A popular place to stop for tourists and locals alike, you’ll rarely have this location all to yourselves. If you choose to exchange your vows here, be prepared for onlookers.
Parking can be hard here. Much better to be dropped off.
Best reason to elope at the Dutch Windmill: You love this Golden Gate Park landmark and don’t mind potential crowds.
The Conservatory of Flowers
The Conservatory of Flowers is a San Francisco landmark: a series of beautiful greenhouses under one roof, showcasing different warm weather plants from all over the world. If you’re a plant enthusiast (or just want to escape the cold), this is the place for you. Open to the public (for a small fee), this gorgeous location is available for private ceremonies at the close of every day.
Location: On the east side of Golden Gate Park, close to Arguello Blvd.
Tips:
No matter the temperature outside, it’s always warm and humid in the greenhouses of the Conservatory. Prepare to shed your outer layers and have extra product in your hair to combat frizz.
When you reserve the Conservatory for your ceremony, you get access to the entire space for you and your guests to enjoy. So wonderful to have this amazing space all to yourselves to explore!
Best reason to elope in the Conservatory of Flowers: You want a weather-proof ceremony location in a gorgeous and iconic San Francisco location. Oh, and you love plants.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is a park within a park, fifty-five acres of beautiful gardens showcasing plants from all over the world. With everything from a California Native Garden to an Ancient Plant Garden to garden areas with plants from Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and South Africa, there’s a huge range of diverse scenery to enjoy. Not only do they have a varied range of locations you can reserve for your ceremony, there are so many fantastic portrait locations to choose from as well.
Location: East side of the park, closest to 9th Avenue in the Inner Sunset.
Tips:
Free to all San Francisco residents!
Wear your comfiest walking shoes. There’s so much to see and take in here, you’ll find yourself wanting to wander down every path.
Near the popular neighborhood of the Inner Sunset as well as two great museums, parking hear can be a challenge. There’s an underground paid lot at the Music Concourse, or consider being dropped off.
There’s a second entrance and exit to the garden on MLK near the Japanese Tea Garden.
Best reason to elope in the Botanical Garden: You’re captivated by beautiful gardens and love the idea of exchanging your vows in this serene location.
San Francisco City Hall
San Francisco is lucky to have one of the most beautiful city halls that I’ve ever seen. With a nod to classic Greek and Roman architecture, San Francisco’s City Hall is stunning with its intricate dome, large windows, and white marble everywhere. With four floors to explore, the grand staircase, and photogenic corners everywhere, there’s no shortage of gorgeous backdrops for your elopement. For your ceremony, you have the options of renting out one side of the fourth floor (best lighting here — highly recommend!), exchange vows at the top of the grand staircase, or on the Mayor’s Balcony.
Location: Heart of the city at Civic Center.
Tips:
The fourth floor has the best lighting and is closest to the dome — hands down my favorite spot for photos at City Hall.
There are a ton of great restaurants in nearby Hayes Valley if you’re looking for a dinner option after your ceremony.
One thing to note is that depending on when you go, City Hall can be busy and noisy; all that white marble makes sound bounce around quite a bit. If you’re looking for a quiet place to exchange your vows, I would recommend a different location.
Best reason to elope at City Hall: You love classic + gorgeous architecture and want to tie the knot with no fuss.
Stern Grove
Less visited than the more popular parks in San Francisco, Stern Grove is a hidden gem with its very own redwood grove. Stern Grove is best known for its summer concert series, the Stern Grove Festival, but aside from that, the park is typically quiet — the perfect place for a quiet stroll in the shade of the trees. They also have a great dog park if you want to let your pup run free and make friends.
For weddings and events, you can rent out the historic Trocadero Clubhouse which has a super cute bar room, great reception area, and cozy rooms upstairs to get ready in. Originally built in the 1800s, the house has served many purposes in its colorful history including a home, an inn, a hideout, and a club for dancing and gambling. In its current form, the clubhouse, and the adjacent redwood grove, make for a wonderful place to get married.
Location: In the southwest part of the city, near SF State and the zoo.
Tips:
Most of Stern Grove is in the shade (which makes for beautiful photos!) but it can be a few degrees cooler throughout the day. Also, because of the trees and the position of the park, you’ll lose the light a little earlier, so plan accordingly.
Even though Stern Grove is located where two busy San Francisco streets meet, the park is actually lower than the street level, and with all of the beautiful trees you don’t hear any road noise.
The Clubhouse has its own parking lot so parking is a breeze.
Best reason to elope in Stern Grove: You love redwood trees, historic locations, and hidden gem parks.
Baker Beach
Baker Beach is the most popular beach in San Francisco, mainly because of the amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge. At any given time at Baker Beach you will find these three things: photographers, fisherman, and nudists. Yes, you read that correctly. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the morning or at sunset (though sunset is super popular here!) or if it’s cold and foggy or if the sun is out — you will find all three when you visit, every time. This iconic and beautiful beach is worth a visit more than once so long as you’re prepared for what to expect. If having lots of people around, some of them who might be naked, doesn’t bother you, then this could be the perfect place for you to exchange your vows.
Location: Northwest corner of the city, right by the Golden Gate Bridge.
Tips:
Park in the northern parking lot if you can get a spot there.
The nudists typically hang out on the north end of the beach by the rocks. This is also one of the better places to take portraits as you’re closer to the bridge.
Not recommended on weekends and definitely not on holiday weekends as the crowds are too much.
Best reason to elope at Baker Beach: You love this iconic San Francisco beach with it’s amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge and don’t mind crowds.
The Presidio
The Presidio in San Francisco is a very unique part of the city. Originally built as a military base in the late 1700s, the Presidio is an interesting mix of beautiful wooded areas, distinct architecture, and gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. There are also restaurants, inns, office buildings, churches, event spaces, and a really great food truck picnic event every week. There’s even a campground. With all of those offerings, it still tends to feel less busy than other parks in the city, partially due to its size (approximately 800 acres) and partially because of its layout (lots of windy roads).
For a wedding celebration, there truly are so many options within the Presidio: epic views, eucalyptus groves, historic buildings, as well as more traditional venues.
Location: Northern tip of the city.
Tips:
There are several entrances to the Presidio neighborhood. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with them before exploring. There’s also a lot to see and do in this area; check out these sample itineraries to help plan your visit.
Be sure to check out one of my favorite places in the Presidio: Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line (pictured above).
Best reason to elope in the Presidio: You want the iconic views without the crowds and to enjoy a quieter part of the city.
Sunnyside Conservatory
Another awesome indoor option, Sunnyside Conservatory is a unique and charming venue in the middle of the city. Originally built in 1898, in what was then an undeveloped part of the city, the Conservatory has since become surrounded by more modern homes and a bustling community. Sunnyside Conservatory has also become a neighborhood fixture, offering local events and gatherings and is also available for private rentals. The building itself has lovely Victorian architectural details with warm wood on the inside and lots of beautiful windows. One of my favorite aspects of the Conservatory is that it’s a relatively blank canvas inside, so you can really make it your own for your wedding celebration.
Location: In the south central part of town.
Tips:
Street parking only so it would be best to be dropped off here rather than have to worry about finding parking.
Events tend to wrap up early here so plan your after party somewhere off-site.
Best reason to elope at the Sunnyside Conservatory: You want a weather proof ceremony location at a historic SF landmark.
Stable Cafe
Stable Café is one of those hidden little spots in the city — a wonderful café of course, but then wait, what’s this? A beautiful garden patio? A quiet oasis in the middle of the Mission district? Perfect for a cozy urban elopement, Stable Café is the ideal location for the city-loving couple who wants a little slice of calm on their wedding day.
If you’ve never been to the Mission District in San Francisco, it’s the ultimate mash up of old blood and new blood, amazing restaurants of every imaginable cuisine, a ton of nightlife spots, and a huge variety of fun things to do. Stable Café is just on the edge of all the action; central without being overwhelmed.
Location: In the Mission District, east side of town.
Tips:
Another spot where street parking is tough so be sure to get dropped off here rather than having to circle the neighborhood hunting for a spot to park.
The Mission is one of the sunniest neighborhoods in San Francisco, typically several degrees warmer here than other parts of the city.
Best reason to elope at Stable Café: You want to embrace being in the middle of the city without being overwhelmed — the perfect balance of urban and calm.
Sutro Heights
Sutro Heights is often overlooked for its popular neighbor, the Sutro Bath ruins (lovely, but always so busy!), but as someone who used to live in this neighborhood, let me tell you: Sutro Heights is a total gem! If you live in San Francisco then you know space is at a premium, and finding a park like this where there’s open space, very few people, and gorgeous views — it feels like a gift. This park is a beautiful mix of wooded areas, grassy lawns, and walking paths that take you around the edge of the park to enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean. There are also lots of beautiful flowers here throughout the year.
Location: On the northwest edge of town, right by Ocean Beach and the Sutro Bath ruins.
Tips:
There is a designated parking lot for Sutro Heights, but I would suggest parking on 48th Ave near Anza — it’s my favorite way to walk into the park and there are usually spots free.
Can be foggy and breezy, but there are some very lovely areas that are protected from the wind.
Generally, not a very busy park, but you may have some neighborhood folks pass by.
Best reason to elope at Sutro Heights: You love a charming neighborhood park that’s perfect for a picnic elopement!
Lafayette Park
Lafayette Park is a beautiful city park located on the top of a hill in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood. With stunning city views and central location, Lafayette Park is another great option for those city-loving couples. There’s an amphitheater on the park’s eastern side, surrounded by trees, that is perfect for ceremonies. There are also lots of great areas for a picnic afterwards where you can enjoy the city views.
Location: North part of the city in Pacific Heights.
Tips:
Street parking here, highly recommend being dropped off so you don’t have to search for parking.
Lots of great restaurants nearby on Polk and Fillmore if you want an alternative to having a picnic.
Very centrally located to many iconic San Francisco backdrops for sunset portraits after your ceremony.
Best reason to elope in Lafayette Park: You love a park in the heart of the city with great views.
One Last Thing..
As with all of my “best of” location lists, let this guide be a starting place, but don’t be limited by it! There are so many amazing places in San Francisco to elope, and the locations I included here are just the highlights. The most important thing to keep in mind when searching for your elopement location is to find a place that really resonates with you and your partner and that fits into your vision for your wedding day. Have fun researching ideas and message me if you have any questions!