The Best Places to Say Your Vows on the California Coast
Choosing where to elope in Big Sur is like being told you can have dinner at any restaurant in the world. Every option is incredible, and each one delivers a completely different experience. I have photographed elopements at nearly every accessible location along this stretch of coast, and I can tell you that the “best” location depends entirely on who you are as a couple.
Some couples want the iconic shot with Bixby Bridge in the background. Others want to feel completely alone, standing on a cliff edge with nothing but ocean and sky. Some want the quiet magic of sunlight filtering through thousand year old redwoods. This guide breaks down the top elopement locations in Big Sur so you can find the one that fits your vision.
Coastal Locations
Garrapata State Park
If I could only recommend one location in Big Sur for an elopement, it would be Garrapata. The coastline here is rugged, dramatic, and wildly photogenic. Soberanes Point, accessible from a moderate one mile trail, puts you on a rocky promontory with 270 degree ocean views. In spring, the bluffs are covered in wildflowers. In winter, the waves crash with enough force to send spray 20 feet in the air.
What makes Garrapata special for elopements is the sense of isolation. Even on busy weekends, the further trails see minimal foot traffic compared to spots like Bixby Bridge or Pfeiffer Beach. You can have your ceremony and feel like you are the only two people on the coast.
Permit required: Yes. $400 for up to 25 guests through Monterey District California State Parks.
Accessibility: Moderate. Uneven trails, some elevation changes. Not wheelchair accessible.
Best time of day: Late afternoon for golden light on the cliffs. Sunset is spectacular but timing varies by season.
Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash.
Pfeiffer Beach
The most famous beach in Big Sur and probably the most photographed in all of California. Pfeiffer Beach has everything: dramatic sea stacks, tide pools, purple tinted sand (from manganese garnet deposits in the surrounding hills), and the legendary Keyhole Arch. During certain times of the year, the setting sun shoots a beam of light directly through the arch, and if you time it right, it is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena you will ever witness.
The reality check: Pfeiffer Beach is popular. Very popular. Getting there requires a narrow, winding one lane road (Sycamore Canyon Road) that gets backed up on weekends and holidays. Parking is extremely limited. For elopements, I strongly recommend weekday mornings or late afternoons when the crowds thin out.
Permit required: Yes, through California State Parks.
Accessibility: Easy. Short walk from parking to beach. Sand can be soft and uneven.
Best time of day: Sunset, especially from November through January when the light aligns with Keyhole Arch.
Dogs allowed: No.
Bixby Bridge
You have seen this bridge. It has appeared in countless commercials, films, and social media posts. The pull off area on the south end of the bridge gives you the classic view: the concrete arch bridge spanning Bixby Creek canyon with the coast stretching north behind it. It is iconic for a reason.
For elopements, Bixby Bridge works best as a portrait location rather than a ceremony site. The pull off area is roadside, with traffic passing constantly and other tourists taking photos. A quick exchange of vows here can work if you keep it simple and are comfortable with an audience. For your ceremony, I usually recommend a more private location and then swing by Bixby for portraits after.
Permit required: No (public roadside pull off).
Accessibility: Easy. Flat, paved pull off area right off Highway 1.
Best time of day: Morning for soft light and fewer tourists. Late afternoon for warmer tones.
Dogs allowed: Yes.
Rocky Creek Bridge and Overlooks
Just north of Bixby Bridge, Rocky Creek Bridge offers a less crowded but equally stunning vantage point. The views south toward Bixby and the coast are phenomenal. There are a few pull off spots along this stretch of Highway 1 that feel private, especially on weekdays. This is a local favorite for portraits and quick ceremonies that most elopement guides do not mention.
Permit required: No (roadside pull offs).
Accessibility: Easy to moderate. Some spots require a short walk on uneven ground.
Best time of day: Golden hour, about an hour before sunset.
Redwood Forest Locations
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
This is the premier redwood location in Big Sur. The trees here are enormous, some over 1,000 years old, and walking among them feels like entering a natural cathedral. The light that filters through the canopy creates dappled patterns on the forest floor that are a photographer’s dream. Ferns carpet the ground, and depending on the season, you might hear the rush of the Big Sur River nearby.
Elopements here are limited to 10 people total, including vendors. That means the couple, the officiant, the photographer, and a maximum of 6 or 7 guests. This restriction actually works in your favor because it keeps the experience intimate and the forest truly peaceful.
Permit required: Yes. $425 through California State Parks. Elopement permits for up to 10 people (vendors included).
Accessibility: Easy to moderate. Well maintained trails, relatively flat. Some areas are wheelchair accessible.
Best time of day: Midday, when the sun is high enough to create those iconic light beams through the canopy.
Dogs allowed: On designated trails only, on leash.
Limekiln State Park
Limekiln is the hidden gem of Big Sur elopement locations. Located about 25 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur, it sees a fraction of the visitors. The park has a small but beautiful waterfall (Limekiln Falls), old growth redwoods, historic lime kilns from the 1880s, and a rocky beach. You can hit all of these in a single afternoon.
The diversity here is remarkable for such a small park. You could have your ceremony in the redwoods, walk five minutes to the waterfall for portraits, and then head to the beach for sunset photos. Very few locations offer that range without getting in a car.
Permit required: Yes, through California State Parks.
Accessibility: Moderate. Trails to the waterfall involve creek crossings on foot. Beach is rocky.
Best time of day: Morning for the waterfall (best light), afternoon for the beach and coast.
Private Venues
Post Ranch Inn
The most exclusive venue in Big Sur. Perched on the cliffs 1,200 feet above the Pacific, Post Ranch Inn offers elopement experiences that include the ceremony, a dedicated event coordinator, and dinner at Sierra Mar, their cliff edge restaurant. The views are staggering. The price reflects the exclusivity, with rooms starting over $1,000 per night and event fees on top of that. If budget is not a concern and you want a luxury experience, this is the place.
Ventana Big Sur
Modern luxury in a redwood canyon setting. Ventana offers elopement packages that include ceremony coordination, florals, and dinner. The grounds are beautiful, blending indoor/outdoor spaces with canyon views. More accessible price-wise than Post Ranch Inn but still firmly in the luxury category.
Glen Oaks Big Sur
A more approachable option that does not sacrifice the Big Sur experience. Glen Oaks offers rustic modern cabins and cottages along the Big Sur River and in a redwood grove. They offer elopement packages and are one of the more flexible venues for customizing your day. This is a great middle ground between the full luxury venues and a state park elopement.
How to Choose Your Location
After photographing hundreds of Big Sur elopements, here is how I help couples decide:
If you want dramatic and iconic: Garrapata State Park or Pfeiffer Beach. These deliver the coastal cliff photos that make people stop scrolling.
If you want intimate and spiritual: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park redwoods. There is something about standing under trees that have been alive for centuries that changes the energy of a ceremony.
If you want adventure and solitude: Limekiln State Park. Fewer people, more variety, a real sense of discovery.
If you want stress free luxury: Post Ranch Inn or Ventana Big Sur. Everything is handled. You just show up.
If you want it all: We combine locations. Ceremony in the redwoods, portraits on the coast, sunset at Pfeiffer Beach. A full day elopement lets you experience the best of Big Sur instead of choosing just one spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we visit the locations before our elopement date?
Absolutely, and I recommend it if you can make the trip. Walking through a location in person gives you a feel for the terrain, the energy, and the scale that photos simply cannot capture. If you cannot visit in advance, I send couples detailed video walkthroughs and photo guides of each location so you know exactly what to expect.
What if our preferred location is not available on our date?
Big Sur has enough incredible locations that there is always an alternative that delivers. Permit availability can vary, especially during peak season, but in all my years photographing here I have never had a situation where we could not find an equally stunning backup. This is one of the biggest advantages of working with a local photographer who knows every corner of the coast.
Can we do multiple locations in one day?
Yes, and this is what I recommend for most couples. A full day elopement typically covers two to four locations over 6 to 10 hours. The drive between most Big Sur locations is 10 to 30 minutes, making it easy to transition from redwoods to coast to beach without spending your wedding day in the car.
Are these locations accessible for elderly guests or guests with mobility issues?
Some are, some are not. Bixby Bridge and parts of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park are the most accessible options. Garrapata and Limekiln involve uneven terrain that would be challenging for anyone with mobility concerns. If accessibility is a factor, let me know early in the planning process so we can choose locations that work for everyone in your group.
What happens if a state park closes on our elopement day?
It happens occasionally, usually due to weather related road closures or fire conditions. This is another reason to work with a local photographer. I monitor conditions constantly and always have backup plans ready. In years of doing this, every single closure has led to a pivot that turned out just as beautiful as the original plan.
Let’s Find Your Perfect Spot
Every couple is different, and the right location for your elopement depends on your story, your style, and what Big Sur means to you. I have been to every corner of this coast, and I would love to help you find the place that feels like it was made for the two of you.
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