San Simeon Beach Elopement
Headed north on Highway 1, hugging the California Coast, is the town of San Simeon.
San Simeon is past the quaint town of Cambria and is best known as being the location of the famous Hearst Castle. San Simeon is a popular location for our small wedding and elopement couples who want a more secluded beach wedding. Our wedding couples stay at the Cavalier Hotel and can walk down to their beautiful sandy beach.
Couples are able to have a stress free wedding since they can stay at the hotel, get wedding ready and then walk down for their beach elopement ceremony. Choose a ceremony time close to sunset for photos like these.
Visit San Simeon for your elopement and stay for your honeymoon. Here's some of our favorite things to do when staying in San Simeon after your small wedding.
While you are staying on the central coast, there are many places you might want to explore. One of the best known is San
Simeon, the location of Hearst Castle. Set upon a hill, it was originally known as “Camp Hill” as a spot where family members
and friends of the Hearst family could sneak away from city life and rough it in the surrounding wilderness. But, since William
Randolph Hearst really envisioned more elaborate accommodations, he commissioned architect Julia Morgan to build “a little
something”. Today, that “little something”, Hearst Castle, is one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements. Called by Hearst “La Cuesta Encantada” or the Enchanted Hill, anyone who visits will agree that it is indeed enchanting. Reservations are required for the docent-led tours and options are available. There are tours of the grand rooms, the upstairs suites, cottages and kitchen tours, and even nighttime tours, to name a few. Visit www.HearstCastle.org for more information.
You might also want to explore William R. Hearst Memorial Beach. Across from Hearst Castle, this beach offers 24 picnic
benches to enjoy. Or explore Arroyo Laguna Beach to watch windsurfers and kiteboarders. Or venture down the road to
Washburn Day Use Beach/San Simeon Creek Beach, where piles of pebbles and driftwood abound, not to mention fantastic
views of the Pacific Ocean.
One of my favorite activities is to explore the area by hiking one of the many trails. And, my favorite trail is San Simeon Point
Trail. Starting at Hearst Castle Beach State Park, walk along the beach for about a quarter of a mile. When you see the first trailon your right that ascends the hillside, walk along this path along the bluff. Be prepared for some spectacular views of the
ocean below as you hike along the bluff. If you are lucky, you may even spot some baby birds nesting in the Eucalyptus trees
along the path. If you continue walking, you will come to a spot that offers a broad view of the coastline – my favorite part. In
spring, you may even spot wild flowers along the trail. San Simeon Beach is also a romantic location for an elopement. It's a more secluded beach and has amazing views.
Another fun place to visit in San Simeon is the Piedras Blancas Rookery, the only elephant seal rookery in the world. It is free,
open to the public year-round, and easily accessible. The rookery dates back to the 1700s when the elephant seals along with
other marine mammals were hunted for their blubber. Threatened with extinction, the elephant seals received protected
status in 1920. Today at the rookery, there are viewing platforms and boardwalks for watching the seals and volunteers will
answer questions.
A little farther north on Hwy 1, you might like to visit Piedras Blancas Light Station. Perched above the coastline of the Pacific
Ocean, this historic monument was built in 1875. It once warned sailors of the rocky California coastline. Two-hour tours of the
grounds are offered year-round, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. During the summer months, additional morning tours are available.
If you are up for a little drive, follow Hwy 1 along the coast to Ragged Point Inn. There you can enjoy California dining at their
restaurant. They have a sit down restaurant or one where you can grab burgers. Walk along their paths that offer beautiful views of the ocean and cliffs below. If you want to drive farther north on Hwy 1, please check to make sure the road is open due to past heavy rains and rockslides in the area.
If you want to spend the night in San Simeon, check out the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort. This hotel is tucked away in a seaside
bluff overlooking the blue Pacific. Otherwise, I would suggest returning to Cambria (my favorite spot), just south of San Simeon for a night’s stay and some good food. Try Madeline’s or the Sow’s Ear for some amazing food, or the Sea Chest on Moonstone or Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill for some delicious seafood selections.
Whatever you decide to do on your adventure along Hwy 1, you will not be disappointed. Enjoy!
Here’s why you should have a small wedding in Pismo Beach Small weddings are the way to go these days! We aren’t just saying that because small weddings have been our thing since we started our business back in 2015. A small wedding can have the same parts of a large wedding - unforgettable moments, celebration with friends and family and the start of the rest of your life together. But, small wedding have a few more benefits like - less stress, less more, and more of the two of you and what you want for your wedding! We love the scenery of the Central Coast for small weddings. There are million dollar views - from your toes in the sand at one of the beach locations, to overlooking the ocean, to shaded eucalyptus trees, and jagged cliff sides. Small weddings are our favorite because the couple is free to focus on the most important things, like having their day, their way, spending the day with the people who truly matter, and having an amazing day packed with lasting memories. What Is Driving the Trend Toward Smaller Weddings? Several factors are behind the increasing trend of smaller weddings. Modern couples are redefining what it means to celebrate love, and in most cases, they focus on quality over quantity. Small weddings have become for popular and couples embrace fewer guests and find the beauty of intimate gatherings. Changing societal norms and the desire for unique, personalized experiences also make smaller weddings an attractive option. How Do Small Weddings Create More Meaningful Connections? Small weddings foster more meaningful connections by allowing couples to spend quality time with each guest, creating an intimate and personal atmosphere. With fewer attendees, conversations feel more genuine, and guests feel truly valued and appreciated. Some couples will have a few day long celebration for their wedding - starting a few days before the wedding with wine tasting or seeing the sites of the Central Coast, then relax on the beach the next day. After some fun in the sun, it's wedding day. The day will end with a group dinner or casual private reception. Then, the guests will leave and the couple has a few more days to celebrate their honeymoon in Pismo Beach or other beach location. This setting also encourages deeper interactions, making it easier to share special moments, heartfelt toasts, and personal stories. Without the hustle and chaos of a large event, couples and their loved ones can be fully present, strengthening bonds and making the celebration even more memorable. How Does a Smaller Guest List Reduce Wedding Stress? Planning a wedding can be quite challenging. It is easier for couples to plan their weddings with smaller guest lists, as this dramatically lowers their prospects of worrying. Incorporating fewer guests into a wedding means that there are fewer logistical elements to take care of, such as catering, seating arrangements, accommodations, and more people to please. This way, couples can spend more time and energy making their special day more unique instead of fretting over accommodating numerous people. A more personal gathering helps create a homely and calming vibe, giving the couple a chance to make the most of each interaction with their guests. Most importantly, a smaller guest number means that there would be fewer changes needed at the last minute, which translates to lower expenditure and costs. Hence, all attendees, coupled with the couple, can fully enjoy themselves without feeling the pressure of the wedding arrangements. What Are the Financial Benefits of Hosting a Small Wedding? Hosting a small wedding can be a cost-effective choice, offering couples the chance to allocate their budget more intentionally. With fewer guests, expenses for catering, venue size, and decor are reduced, freeing up funds for other priorities such as an unforgettable honeymoon or investing in a dream home. This financial flexibility allows couples to create a celebration that reflects their values and vision without overspending. Celebrate your love story with us! Small weddings are more than just a trend—they represent a shift in how couples approach one of the most important days of their lives. By focusing on intimacy, meaningful connections, and thoughtful planning, small weddings offer a unique and heartfelt way to celebrate love. For couples looking to create a stunning and intimate wedding experience, Coastal California Weddings is your simple and stress-free way to plan your wedding. We provide expert guidance and inspiration.
Not sure what to wear to a small wedding? We've got some tips on how to dress for a small wedding. Let us plan your small wedding in Pismo Beach.
Celebrate your wedding in Cambria! Come have your elopement or small wedding in Cambria. This wedding location overlooks the ocean, have a pretty tree grove and access to the beach. Let us plan your wedding in Cambria!