Dreaming of sand between your toes and the fresh ocean breeze? Well, lucky for you we have all beach wedding lovers covered – from Carlsbad to Coronado! Here are 16 of our favorite San Diego beach wedding venues. (By no means comprehensive, that would be madness!)Many couples, both from San Diego and afar, dream of a beach wedding. There is something romantic about the sea and being married next to it is idyllic. However, it is important to remember permits and incidentals when planning your beach wedding. Each beach has its own permitting process and rules, especially when it comes to private vs. state vs. city beaches. It is not impossible, it’s just important to do your research. There are plenty of resources available to help! Such as the City of Coronado Park & Recreation Department, the California State Parks & State Beaches, or the City of San Diego. (Pro tip: search San Diego beach wedding permits.)

But now…on to the fun stuff. Check our some of our favorite beach wedding spots in San Diego, below!

Way up North: if you want a quiet getaway

Carlsbad State Beach – Carlsbad
State Park – varied parking throughout Carlsbad – the city of Carlsbad is within walking distance for meals and accommodations

Levyland Estate – Carlsbad
Private Estate – limited accommodations – great for ceremony and reception – city of Carlsbad is a few minutes drive away for accommodations. See one of our featured real weddings HERE or search “Levyland” in our search tool!

Moonlight Beach – Encinitas
State Park – firepits and BBQs allowed – roadside parking – located near the cities of Encinitas and Cardiff for meals and accommodations

Torrey Pines Beach – Del Mar
State Park – large parking lots – the city of Del Mar is a short drive away for meals and accommodations

Cliffside La Jolla: if you love the sea, but not the sand

Calumet Park – Bird Rock
Small Park overlooking popular surf site – within La Jolla neighborhood of Bird Rock – the city of La Jolla is close by for meals and accommodations

Ellen Browning Scripps Park – Downtown La Jolla
Large park – limited street parking – located at the base of Downtown La Jolla – often called the “most photographed” spot in San Diego – walking distance to restaurants and accommodations

Scripps Seaside Forum – Northern La Jolla/UCSD
Cliff-based park ceremony site – adjacent architecturally unique building for reception – minutes walk to iconic Scripps pier – private parking lot – short drive to restaurants and accommodations. See one of our featured real weddings HERE or search “Scripps Seaside” in our search tool!

Cuvier Park – Downtown La Jolla
Small park outcropping on the cliffs – Downtown La Jolla above La Jolla Cove – limited street parking – walking distance to restaurants and accommodations

Central Coast: if you love the surfer vibe

Sunset Cliffs – Ocean Beach
Cliff outcropping – various street parking – Ocean Beach and Mission Beach are a short drive for meals and accommodations

Mission Beach 
Various beaches are usable for weddings here – bays to oceanfront – permits, food, and fire pits available depending on location – minutes drive to meals and accommodations. See one of our featured real weddings HERE or search “Mission Beach” in our search tool!

Catamaran Resort & Spa – Mission Beach
Hotel set on shores of Mission Bay – unlimited parking – full facilities for ceremony and reception – short drive to Mission Beach and Pacific Beach for meals and additional accommodations

Quintessential Coronado: if you love history, glamour, and variety

Glorietta Bay Park
Grassy park next to Glorietta Bay – large parking lots – short drive to Downtown Coronado and Downtown San Diego

Hotel Del Coronado
Historic hotel with beach access – large parking lots – hotel has a variety of ceremony and reception sites – walking distance to Downtown district for meals and accommodations

Centennial Park
Paved and grassy park next to San Diego Bay – large parking lots – minutes drive to Downtown Coronado and Downtown San Diego for meals and accommodations

Coronado Beach/The Silver Strand
Beach extending around Coronado Island with Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay views – large parking lots/street parking depending on location – minutes drive to Downtown Coronado. See one of our featured real weddings HERE or search “Coronado or Silver Strand” in our search tool!