The Best Elopement Locations in Big Sur, Ranked by a Photographer Who Has Shot Them All

Not all Big Sur locations are created equal. Some are iconic but overcrowded. Some are hidden gems that most couples never find. And some look incredible in photos but are a logistical nightmare to actually get married at. After photographing dozens of elopements along this coastline, here is my honest breakdown of every major Big Sur elopement location.

Tier 1: The Must-Shoot Locations

Bixby Creek Bridge

The single most recognizable spot in Big Sur. The arched concrete bridge spanning a massive canyon with the Pacific stretching to the horizon behind it. For elopement portraits, the pullout on the south side gives you the classic composition. For something different, the scramble down to the creek bed offers a completely unique angle looking up at the bridge.

Best time: Sunrise. By 10 AM on any weekend, the pullout is packed.
Difficulty: Easy (pullout), moderate (creek bed scramble)
Crowds: High on weekends, manageable on weekday mornings

Pfeiffer Beach

The keyhole rock, the purple sand, the waves crashing through the arch at sunset. This is the most dramatic beach in Big Sur. The access road is narrow and the parking lot is small (about 60 spots), which keeps crowds somewhat manageable. Late afternoon light here is world class.

Best time: 2 hours before sunset for the arch light
Difficulty: Easy (flat beach walk)
Crowds: Moderate. Weekday afternoons are best.

Garrapata State Park Cliffs

The northern gateway to Big Sur. The Soberanes Point trail gives you cliff-top ocean views that stretch for miles in both directions. Wildflowers in spring, golden grass in fall, crashing waves year round. This is where I take couples who want the classic Big Sur coastline shot without the Bixby Bridge crowds.

Best time: Golden hour (afternoon)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (short trail with some uneven terrain)
Crowds: Low to moderate

Tier 2: Incredible but Requires More Planning

McWay Falls Overlook

The 80-foot waterfall dropping onto a turquoise cove. Absolutely stunning and completely unique. The limitation: you cannot access the beach, only the overlook trail. This means your portraits are from above, which works beautifully for certain compositions but limits variety. Best as one stop on a multi-location day.

Best time: Morning light illuminates the falls
Difficulty: Easy (paved trail)
Crowds: High. Go early.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (Redwoods)

When couples want the forest instead of the coast, this is where I bring them. The redwood groves create a cathedral-like atmosphere with filtered light streaming through the canopy. Completely different mood from the coastline. Many couples do redwoods in the morning and coast in the afternoon to get both worlds.

Best time: Late morning when sun penetrates the canopy
Difficulty: Easy
Crowds: Moderate in the park, low on deeper trails

Rocky Creek Bridge Viewpoint

A smaller bridge just north of Bixby that most tourists drive right past. The viewpoint here gives you a beautiful coastal perspective without the crowds. I use this as a backup when Bixby is packed or as an additional stop on the way down the coast.

Best time: Morning
Difficulty: Easy (roadside)
Crowds: Very low

Tier 3: Hidden Gems for Adventurous Couples

Partington Cove

A short but steep trail leads down to a hidden cove with a hand-carved tunnel through the rock. The tunnel opens to a tiny inlet surrounded by cliffs. It feels like discovering a secret that nobody else knows about. Not ideal for a ceremony (it is tight), but incredible for portraits.

Sand Dollar Beach

The largest uninterrupted stretch of beach in Big Sur. Wide open, rarely crowded, with dramatic cliff walls on either side. Access requires a short trail and a small day-use fee. This is where I go when couples want the feeling of having a private beach to themselves.

Nacimiento-Fergusson Road Overlook

Drive up this winding road from Highway 1 and within minutes you are high above the coast looking down at the entire Big Sur panorama. At sunset, the view is staggering. Very few tourists make this drive, so you will likely have it to yourselves.

How to Combine Locations in One Day

Most Big Sur elopement days include two to four locations. Here are my favorite combinations:

• The Classic: Bixby Bridge sunrise → Garrapata cliffs → Pfeiffer Beach sunset
• Forest and Coast: Redwoods morning → McWay Falls → Garrapata golden hour
• The Adventurer: Partington Cove → Sand Dollar Beach → Nacimiento Road sunset
• Intimate and Focused: Garrapata ceremony → Bixby portraits → Pfeiffer Beach sunset

For the complete planning guide including permits, timing, and logistics, read The Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Big Sur.

Ready to plan your Big Sur elopement? Get in touch.