When Yasmin and James matched on Hinge during the quiet of February 2021, their love story began with a challenge: prove superior music taste.

One playlist later—and four years into a life built together—they’ve got a house in Sherman Oaks, a resc

ue dog named Cannoli (yes, inspired by their engagement trip to Sicily), and a new collaborative playlist titled YAMES.

And now, they’re planning the most unforgettable chapter yet: their wedding on the dreamy coast of Crescent City, California.

Photos of  Yasmin & James (Rachel Dale Photography)

But this isn’t just a love story about two people. It’s a love letter to one of the most stunning, underrated destinations on the West Coast.

The Redwoods Are Calling

Tucked in California’s northern-most corner, Crescent City feels like a secret too good to keep. It’s where towering redwoods meet rugged ocean cliffs, and where the air smells like salt and cedar. For Angelenos who crave nature without the crowds,

Crescent City is the gateway to bucket-list adventures—without the traffic jams of other California destinations.

Credit: Crescent City (Rachel Dale Photography)

Want to hike through 300-foot-tall redwoods in Jedediah Smith State Park? Or picnic on a cliff while watching whales breach in the Pacific? Crescent City offers a refreshing kind of escape—raw, real, and radically beautiful. For the outdoorsy and offbeat, it’s not just a place to visit. It’s a place to remember.

How One Couple Found the Perfect Venue in an Unexpected Place

“We were searching with keywords like disco redwood wedding and enchanted forest meets ocean cliffside,” Yasmin laughs. “At first, we thought Big Sur was our only option, but it was way out of our budget.”

Then James stumbled across Crook Point.

Photography by © @shannonyenphotography, Drone Footage by © @samkoma.photography

Nestled just 20 minutes north of Crescent City on a private stretch of southern Oregon coast, Crook Point isn’t your typical wedding venue. It’s a 3,000-acre nature sanctuary that feels part summer camp, part dreamscape.

Eight private homes and lodges dot the property, many perched on ocean cliffs with panoramic views, and the entire venue can be customized down to the last string light.

“It checked every box—and gave us more freedom than any other venue we’d seen,” says James. “We can bring our own vendors, stock our own bar, and most of our guests get to stay onsite with us. It’s going to feel like one big adventure weekend.”

And the icing on the (wedding) cake? The Crook Point team. “Mary and her staff are absolute legends,” Yasmin adds. “From coordinating our checkered dance floor rental to helping us find the best local vendors, they’ve made everything feel possible—even in a remote setting.”

Getting There—Without the Hassle

One of the biggest concerns with remote weddings is travel. But for Yasmin and James, the solution came with two words: Advanced Air.

“Before we found Advanced Air, the nearest commercial airports were hours away,” says Yasmin. “We flew with them for our final venue visit, and honestly, it was the easiest travel experience we’ve ever had.”

Flying out of LA’s Hawthorne Airport, Advanced Air offers semi-private service directly to Crescent City—complete with lounges, snacks, and no TSA lines.

“They even adjusted their Sunday flight time to help accommodate our wedding guests,” James says. “That’s the kind of above-and-beyond service you just don’t get anywhere else.”

For travelers used to the grind of LAX, it’s hard to overstate the joy of boarding a quick, quiet flight and landing less than an hour later surrounded by redwoods and ocean views.

More Than a Wedding Destination

While Yasmin and James are tying the knot here, Crescent City is more than just a wedding backdrop. It’s a launchpad for kayaking through sea caves, hiking fern-filled canyons, or visiting Battery Point Lighthouse at low tide. It’s also home to quirky small-town charm—like old-school diners, local seafood joints, and even a hidden speakeasy or two.“It’s not overrun. It’s not curated for Instagram. It just is,” James says. “And that’s what makes it so magical.” For couples dreaming of a wedding that feels like a retreat, or LA adventurers craving a new kind of escape, Crescent City is waiting—with clean air, ancient trees, and a little extra room to breathe.

Ready to Get Off the Grid?

Catch Advanced Air nonstop from LA (Hawthorne Airport) to Crescent City. Explore the Redwoods, chase the coast, and discover why the road less traveled is sometimes the best one.