Daytime: 62–70°F Evening/night: 52–58°F Morning: Often foggy or overcast Afternoon: Usually clears to sun or light coastal clouds Wind: Light to moderate ocean breeze, especially near sunset What this means for you: It rarely gets hot. Guests should bring layers like sweaters, light jackets, or shawls — especially for evening events near the water.
Our wedding ceremony will take place at the beautiful Russian Gulch State Park picnic area, surrounded by redwoods and coastal nature. Following the ceremony and cocktail hour, guests will be invited to a short drive away for our reception at the Russian Gulch Recreation Hall, where we’ll celebrate the evening together with dinner, music, and dancing. Detailed directions and timing will be provided on the schedule page to help everyone navigate easily.
Unfortunately cell service can be spotty in many places along the coast and leading to it. We suggest you set your GPS early and make sure you have a decent amount of gas when traveling through the area.
We recommend guests stay in or near Fort Bragg, Mendocino or Gualala. Fort Bragg (25 min north) Pros: Most hotel options, restaurants, grocery stores, and things to do. Great if you want convenience and activities. Cons: Slightly longer drive to wedding locations and can be busier in summer. Mendocino (10 min north) Pros: Charming coastal town with beautiful inns, ocean views, and walkable shops. Closest town to Russian Gulch. Cons: Limited lodging and higher prices — book early. Gualala & Anchor Bay (35–40 min south) Pros: More affordable vacation rentals, peaceful coastal setting, great for groups sharing homes. Cons: Longer but very scenic drive to wedding events. *We recommend booking early, as summer is a popular time on the Mendocino Coast and lodging fills quickly.*
We do not have a specific wedding hotel for this event, as guests will be staying throughout the beautiful Mendocino Coast area. Lodging options may vary depending on length of stay so please check out the travel section of this website for more information. We recommend booking early, as summer on the coast is a popular time to visit!
A designated parking location will be provided for all guests. From there, a shuttle will transport everyone to the ceremony and reception locations and back to the parking area at the end of the evening. Shuttle service will run throughout the event and will be available until approximately 10:30 PM to ensure everyone gets back safely and easily.
Yes! We’ll be hosting a casual welcome dinner on July 24th and a relaxed goodbye brunch on July 26th for guests who will be in town for the full weekend. More details, locations, and timing will be shared on the schedule page so you can plan accordingly.
Absolutely! A handful of guests will be making a longer trip out of the celebration and staying on the coast beyond the wedding weekend, so you definitely won’t be alone if you’d like to turn this into a mini getaway. The Mendocino Coast is full of beautiful scenery, relaxing spots, and fun things to explore, making it the perfect place to extend your stay and enjoy a little vacation.
No problem! Please call/text Evan Taylor or Achona Vela with any questions.