The 11 Best Big Sur Elopement Locations

Private Property
By private property, I mean an AirBnB or VRBO. Wait! 👋 Dont Leave! Hear me out. If you decide on an epic AirBnB you could have more legit views of the water than any state park could offer and you don’t have to even think about tourists. There are a ton of reasons why you would want to go this route for your elopment. Another reason is you do not have to deal with permits. This isn’t a huge deal but can sometimes slow you down or, if you don’t request the permit in time, could keep you fom using your location for your elopement. A final reason why you might want to consider an AirBnB first is not only did you secure your location but now you have your stay and if youre having any family join this makes it for an even more epic party.

2. Garrapata State Park

Garrapata is 3,000 acre piece of coastline and contains a ton of different location ideas. Garrapata is a great area to hold your vow exchange or ceremony. There are few really great cliff overlooks here. Your’e looking at a 5-10 minute walk from the car to your area to hold your ceremony. Some sites here can accommodate up to 5 others incase you’re having a mini wedding as well.

This location does require a permit. The permit fee for Garrapata is $400, applicable for a one-hour duration with a maximum of 25 guests. You can click here to get the Garrapata State Park Permit location or call 831-624-3407 or email the special events coordinator: fwilson@parks.ca.gov

3. Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach is a national park and is located in the middle of Big Sur about 40 minutes south of Carmel-by-the-Sea and about 10-20 minutes down a bumbpy, at sometimes dirt, road. Pfeiffer Beach, at the time of writing this, costs about $12 to park and does not require a permit for elopements under 10 people. This beach can be very busy on weekends in summer and early fall and it is not rare for parking to be an issue and there has been times where in the past I have arrvied and parking was closed due to being filled and beach access was impossible.

This beach is amazing for its breathtaking coastline, famous key, and purple sand. You can also hike a little to get epic shots from above the key. There are great beach areas to elope here.

If you are planning an elopement here I think it is best to plan for a good 2 hours before sunset incase there is any parking issues and if there is we can get to Garrapata as a back up.

4. Garrapata Beach

Garrapata Beach is located inside Garrapata State Park and is about 30 minutes south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Garrapata Beach is, to me, the PERFECT, California beach. It has a HUGE coastline, epic mountains, rock formations, and a small amount of tourists*, and the sunlight here just hits differently. This is my favorite beach to elope at as there is a tone of privacy to be had and the reasons stated above.

There are two entrances to the beach. the first (Most north) is at Calla Lily Valley and you walk down a trail for about 10 minutes and enter the beach through this amazingly gorgeous little valley filled with Lilies (Spring). After heavy rains, it can flood wash out, and block access to beach. So, I typically tell people to enter the second parking area.

The second parking area is located by the ✨Portable Pottie✨. It is also about 10 minutes down to the beach. This beach also requires a permit for elopements and can be found here as well. You can click here to get the Garrapata State Park Permit location or call 831-624-3407 or email the special events coordinator: fwilson@parks.ca.gov

*Summer can be crazy here period.

5. Soberanes Point

Soberanes Point is an epic element location. Park here, walk about 5-10 minutes up the huge hill, and there you will find two spots to elope. To the left is a really small little hill overlooking the ocean. From here you can see a tiny glimpse of Rock Creek Bridge. To the right you will find a little platform made out of stone and looking north. I vote for this spot. The wind blows form the north and so it is important to know the wind and your hair can be, you know, wild. If is is relatively calm this locations can be most epic. But to be honest, wind like 90% of the time. Cool with me. In fact I love it.

Soberanes does require a permit and can be obtained here: You can click here to get the Garrapata State Park Permit location or call 831-624-3407 or email the special events coordinator: fwilson@parks.ca.gov

6. Glenn Oaks Big Sur

Glenn Oaks is a hotel/ glamping location in Big Sur proper. It located on HWY 1 and is split in half by the hwy. One the east side you have cute cabins and the hotel check in area. On the West side you have a redwood covered glamping and camping site. Not only do you have great places to stay and get ready but also on the east side is a redwood hike which provides some great backdrops for your elopement photos as well as creek which can serve as a really intimate elopement backdrop. This place does not require permits but they do like to know what you’re up to having a photographer and all :)

7. Henry Miller Library

Henry Miller Library is an epic gem in Big Sur. Not only is the local history super unique to Big Sur but the back of the library has a great redwood grove with perfect spots for photos. You can have full weddigns to straight up elopements! I know they book out quick so check in ASAP or email Mike at mike@henrymiller.org. 

8. China Vista Point

You can find China Point here. This location is a discrete pull off of the hwy at first but offers really great coast views and rocky access. You can not get to a beach here but you can get close to water. Depending on how adventurous you are you can get some really epic shots here. This place does require shoes for walking on rock as well as good balance. One thing I like to do is have my couples share vows in one area of Garrapata and head to this location last as the sun hits the rocks here different and really gives that perfect Big Sur look. At the time of writing this this area is not under the State Parks and does not need a permit.

9. Mal Paso Creek

Mal Paso Creek is an epic bridge backdrop elopement location. After hiking about 1/5 of a mile down a hill you have access to this tiny little cove that is never being used. It is very rocky here after the most recent storm but if that’s not a problem to you provides a pretty great bridge backdrop for your elopement. You do need to look out for poison oak here an also be prepared for rocky beach.

10. Point Lobos

Point Lobos is the all in 1 Big Sur Elopement Destination. Point Lobos is known as the Jewel of the State Parks and for good reason. It is gorgeous. Elopements here can take place on epic rocky features, beaches, or in Monterey Cypress groves. The cool thing about this park is you can do a giant loop and hit all of the fun backdrops. Do bring a backpack with water and snacks and shoes to walk in as it is about 3 miles of loop.

It does require a permit and you can reach FeliciaWilson at: fleccia.wilson@parks.ca.gov or call 831-624-3407.

11. Rocky Point

Rocky Point is a en epic rocky coastal feature that is about 30 minutes south of Carmel. You can click here for directions. The way you get here is by entering the open gates that once was Rocky Point Restaurant which is closed. But at the time of writing this is open to the public. You can park down by the rocks and you will find trails to various routes that are perfect backdrops for your elopement. This is not a state park and does not require a permit.

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