How to Get Married at Sunset Cliffs
Getting married at Sunset Cliffs is one of the most iconic backdrops in San Diego, California. There’s endless beautiful views of the cliffs bordering the Pacific Ocean, lots of space to find privacy to say your vows and/or take pictures, and the amazing sunsets and sunrises that happen here. This Sunset Cliffs elopement guide includes all the information you need to know from sharing locations, answering FAQs, and more!
Where is Sunset Cliffs?
Sunset Cliffs is located near the Point Loma community within San Diego. Not to be confused with Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, Sunset Cliffs is located right next to the natural park (which is 68 acres of protected land).
How to Get to Sunset Cliffs
There are 3 main airports to get into San Diego:
- SAN – San Diego International Airport is about 4.2 miles from Sunset Cliffs, or about 15 minutes away
- MYF – Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport is located about 12 miles from Sunset Cliffs, or about 25 minutes away.
- CLD, CRQ – McClellan-Palomar Airport is located about 34 miles from Sunset Cliffs, or about 50 minutes away.
If driving to San Diego or renting a car after flying into San Diego, here’s a few tips:
- If you’re local, you are most likely going to follow the I-5 to Mission Bay, then take Sunset Cliffs Boulevard.
- Be aware that rush hour is Monday through Friday between 7-9am going North and 4-6pm going South. On Fridays, rush hour usually starts at 2pm.
- There is plenty of free street parking located at Sunset Cliffs. Just make sure to give yourself plenty of buffer time to find a parking spot because it gets busy the later in the day it gets.
FAQs About Eloping in San Diego
Do I need to live in or be from San Diego to get a marriage license? Nope! You do not need to be a resident of California to get a marriage license from California. The marriage license is only good for the state of California though.
How much does it cost to get a marriage license in San Diego? It costs $90-120 to attain a marriage license in San Diego. After attaining your marriage license, you have up to 90 days to get married. You can read more about the process and what you need to get your marriage license in San Diego here.
Can we have a family member or friend perform the ceremony in San Diego? Yes! That family member or friend must be deputized prior to perform a wedding ceremony. They can apply in person or through mail. Once the application and the payment fee goes through, the applicant will get sample vows, instructions on how to complete the marriage license, and the commission certificate. You can read more about the process here.
Will we need a witness to get married at Sunset Cliffs? In California, one (1) witness is required to sign the marriage license. A witness can be a wedding guest, a vendor, or you can ask a stranger that is hanging out near your ceremony. I’m always happy to sign your witness paper if you do not want any guests present at your elopement in San Diego too!
Locations to Elope At Sunset Cliffs
For a wedding ceremony held at Sunset Cliffs, a $200 permit is needed (the permit website is here). This permit allows for a maximum of 50 guests and is good for a maximum of 4 hours. The permit does not guarantee total privacy or parking at Sunset Cliffs.
Consider getting legally get married at the Downtown San Diego Courthouse (check out this blog on How to Elope at the San Diego Courthouse) to avoid permit fees. The courthouse is located only 8.5 miles away or about 20 minutes away from Sunset Cliffs, and then take couple portraits at Sunset Cliffs afterwards. Taking after-wedding pictures does not require a permit as of the publishing of this blog post (March 2025), but double check the regulations in case anything has changed.
However, if you’re planning on actually getting married at Sunset Cliffs, here are the locations of where you are allowed to hold a wedding ceremony in Sunset Cliffs:
- Luscomb’s Point – this is the most open space along the cliffs which is the best spot if you’re planning to have several wedding guests
- The Arch/Osprey Point – this spot has a little narrow path which leads out to a formation in the sea. It’s located to the north of Luscomb’s Point
- Southern Parking Lot – This parking lot has lots of parking available and porta-potties if you’re concerned about getting any pre-wedding jitters. Following the trail South, there are some beautiful spots to say your wedding vows that are usually less crowded compared to the North side.
Sunset Cliffs Beach Wedding Venues
- Sunset Cliffs Cave – This location has a cave with an open ceiling and is only accessible during low tides. It is quite busy and popular when it’s low tide. To get down to the beach, you must travel across slippery rocks which can be a little dangerous.
- Garbage Beach – This is where all the surfers go on the South end of Sunset Cliffs. You can take the stairs or there is a climbing rope to take.
- No Surf Beach – This beach is north of Luscomb’s Point and is a pretty steep climb down.
- Point Loma – Go to the end of Point Loma Peninsula by driving a bit further South. The Cabrillo National Monument is nearby and has beautiful views as well!
Best Time to Get Married at Sunset Cliffs
Honestly, you cannot go wrong with eloping in Sunset Cliffs during any time of the year. Sunset Cliffs is truly so beautiful throughout the year! The weather is pretty ideal year-round. There are a lot of activities and events to do nearby throughout the year, is generally dog-friendly, and has lots of good food to eat.
Weather: The weather is pretty warm throughout the year being between 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit – with it generally being cooler by the coast. August and September are usually the hottest months getting up to typically 80 degrees, while December and January are usually the coldest months at around 45 degrees. San Diego gets the most rain between December and March. There are the sayings of “May Gray” and “June Gloom” with lots of gloomy weather around that time of year to keep in mind. Wildflowers are in bloom at Sunset Cliffs between April through early June.
Crowds: San Diego is typically the most crowded during the summer months (June through August). The best time to avoid crowds is between September through May. Spring might be a bit rainier, but the rainy days never last very long typically and there are less crowds. Fall is the best time to check out the beach and/or explore the area crowd-wise.
Elopement Example Timeline
1:00pm – Photography Coverage starts with detail photos (check out What to Include in Your Detail Photos)
2:00pm – Getting Ready Photos
2:45pm – First Look between the couple at their hotel
3:15pm – Head over to Sunset Cliffs
4:00pm – Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm – Family Photos
5:00pm – Couple Portraits
5:30pm – Go to dinner nearby off-site
7:00pm – Sunset and Blue Hour Couple Portraits at Sunset Cliffs
7:20pm – Sunset
8:00pm – Photo Coverage Ends
Where to Stay Near Sunset Cliffs
10 Activities To Do in San Diego
Here are a few activities to do to celebrate either before or after saying your vows!
- Spend time at the beach: go surfing at Garbage Beach, go for a walk along the coast, watch the sunset over the ocean, or have a full-on beach day.
- Spend the day on the water on a boat. You can rent a sailboat for a sunset sail or a brunch sail; or rent a kayak to explore the coast.
- Go hiking! There’s Mission Trails Regional Park, Cowles Mountain Trailhead, and so much more.
- Go to a brewery in San Diego. Breweries to check out near Sunset Cliffs include Ocean Beach Brewery, Wonderland Ocean Pub, and California Wild Ales.
- Have a picnic on the cliffs. There are lots of amazing luxurious picnic companies that will go all out in creating a special picnic with charcuterie, champagne, and more.
- Include your dog and bring them to Sunset Cliffs with you to celebrate
- Get a cold drink to beat the heat. There are tons of bars around San Diego for a cocktail or mocktail or coffeeshops to get an iced coffee or a smoothie.
- Have a yoga session – either on your own or there’s plenty of group classes to join almost every morning on the North end of Sunset Cliffs.
- Make reservations for brunch at Little Lion Cafe, The Cliffs Cafe, or Benedicts Brunch – just to name a few nearby.
- Go out to dinner at a nice restaurant to celebrate
Safety at Sunset Cliffs
As the years go on, the cliffs are eroding and becoming more unstable. Five people die at Sunset Cliffs and twenty people are seriously injured every year, according to statistics. The fences and signs are there for a reason! Your safety and comfort should be top priority on your wedding day, so here are some tips to stay safe at Sunset Cliffs:
- Read and follow the signs posted.
- No cliff jumping – it is illegal because the bottom is filled with sharp rocks and reef.
- Stay 6 feet from the edge – so many people accidentally fall or the cliff literally crumbles beneath them.
- Be aware of the tides – don’t get stuck on the beach or in a sea cave when high tide is coming in.
Sunset Cliffs Wedding Photographer
Well hey there – if you didn’t know me already, I’m Emily! I’m a local Sunset Cliffs wedding and elopement photographer. I spend a lot of time photographing adventure elopements of rad couples around the world. I’m obsessed with all things elopements, being out on the water, outdoor adventure, and am truly so grateful that I get to call this my job!!!
If you’re looking for a photographer for your Sunset Cliffs elopement who will:
- Photograph your beautiful Sunset Cliffs elopement ceremony and activities through storytelling photos that you can look back on for the rest of your life
- Help you come up with your dream elopement day and itinerary
- Help you find activities in the Sunset Cliffs and San Diego area to make your elopement intentional, unique, and memorable
…then I’m your person!!!
Visit my website to learn more about me, get to know my approach to elopement photography, and then reach out to me if you think we’re a good fit. I cannot wait to hear from you and start planning your dream Sunset Cliffs elopement!!
Final Tips for Eloping at Sunset Cliffs
- If planning on an outdoor ceremony, the best time to get married is during either sunrise or sunset to beat the heat, to avoid crowds, and it is when the best lighting happens for photos.
- Keep in mind that the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean which provides the amazing sunset photos over the ocean. Sun rise is also usually more private compared to the sunset on the beach – and allows for equally amazing photos.
- Guide to Eloping in San Diego, California
- All-Day Elopement Timeline Examples
- Check out this gallery of Sunset Engagement Photos in Coastal California
- Should I Have a First Look at My Wedding? (and alternatives if not)
