The Best Big Sur Elopement Locations From a Photographer Who's Actually Shot There
There's nowhere else on Earth quite like Big Sur — and if you're considering it for your elopement, your instincts are right. I've photographed along this coastline, and I want to give you the honest version of this guide: the Big Sur elopement locations I've personally stood in with a camera, and the ones I know through deep research and the photographers I trust who have. No pretending. Just the real list.01 / LOCATION
Garrapata State Park — The One I Keep Coming Back To
If I had to name my favorite stretch of this coastline, Garrapata is it. The access points here give you genuine privacy even on a busy weekend — dramatic rock formations, sweeping ocean views, and light that does something almost unfair at golden hour. I've shot here and the location consistently delivers.The Calla Lily Valley entrance in spring is extraordinary. The southern beach access works dramatically year-round. Permit required for ceremony — around $400 for up to 25 guests. Apply early, these book out.
Garrapata State Park — where the coastline does the work for you. Golden hour, always.
02 / SHOT HERE
Point Lobos — Wildly Underrated for Elopements
Point Lobos sits just north of Big Sur proper, and it is one of the most photographically rich places I've ever worked. Cypress groves, granite outcroppings, the Pacific stretching out in every direction. It feels ancient in the best way — like the landscape has been waiting for you to show up with your person.It requires a bit more planning than some locations — entry fees, limited parking, arrive early — but the payoff is extraordinary. I have shot here, and I will keep shooting here.
“There’s a beach just before Point Lobos that most people drive straight past. I won’t name it here — it’s one of those locations I share with my couples directly. The seclusion and light there are something else entirely.”
03 / SHOT HERE - CLIENT ONLY LOCATION
A Beach Just Before Point Lobos — The Hidden One
There's a stretch of beach just before you reach Point Lobos that most people drive past without stopping. I won't name it here — it's one of those locations I share with my couples directly — but the seclusion and the quality of light there is something else entirely.If you book with me for a Big Sur or Carmel elopement, this goes on your shortlist automatically.
04 / SHOT HERE
Wind & Sea Estate — For the Couple Who Wants Privacy and a Bed to Sleep In
Wind & Sea is a private estate near McWay Falls with the kind of coastal views that make guests audibly gasp. I've worked here, and it is genuinely one of the most special settings on the California coast. It's not just a ceremony location — it's an entire experience.Outdoor hot tubs, a sauna, ocean views from essentially every room, and a gourmet kitchen if you want to make a full weekend of it. This is the move for couples who want to elope and celebrate — bring your ten favorite people and stay for two nights.
05 / SHOT HERE
Carmel Highlands Hyatt — Refined, Elevated, Zero Logistics Headaches
A completely different energy than the raw locations above — polished, handled, and drop-dead gorgeous. The cliffside setting looks out over Point Lobos and the Pacific. If your people need hotel rooms, a proper dinner, and a venue that manages logistics for you, this is where I'd point you.I've shot here, and it photographs beautifully in every direction. Perfect for micro-weddings where a few guests need the full experience without the adventure logistics.
06 / WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS
Locations I Haven't Shot — But Know Well
A few spots come up constantly in conversations with other Big Sur photographers and couples who've been there. I haven't personally shot at these, but they're worth knowing about — and I'd never pretend otherwise.RESEARCH BASED · NOT SHOT PERSONALLY
Pfeiffer Beach
Famous for purple sand and a natural rock arch. The arch at sunset in winter is reportedly extraordinary. Narrow access road, can get crowded on weekends. Photographers I trust love it for the drama and moodiness.RESEARCH BASED · NOT SHOT PERSONALLY
McWay Falls · Julia Pfeiffer Burns
An 80-foot waterfall dropping onto a private beach — one of the most photographed spots in California. Overlook position only (beach inaccessible). Requires permit. Visually extraordinary.RESEARCH BASED · NOT SHOT PERSONALLY
Vetana Big Sur
Luxury elopement packages, private ceremony spaces, cliffside views, everything handled in one place. Photographers who work there regularly describe it as the most seamless vendor experience on the coast.RESEARCH BASED · NOT SHOT PERSONALLY
Glen Oaks Big Sur
Redwood canopy property with private cabins and multiple ceremony spots. Ideal for couples who want the elope-and-stay experience in an earthy, intimate setting away from the cliffs.Dreaming of the California coast? I'll tell you exactly what I know from being there — and be honest about everything else.
07 / PLANNING NOTES
Big Sur Elopement Planning — What You Actually Need to Know
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Best time of year: April through October for the warmest, clearest weatherCell service: essentially none once you're in Big Sur — plan your timeline in print and go in preparedPermits: required at most state parks for ceremonies; apply 3–6 months before your dateParking and access: some locations fill early on weekends — arrive well before your ceremony windowAccommodations: book early — Big Sur options are limited and in high demand, especially in summerGolden hour: late and long in summer (7–8 pm), dramatic and reliable year-round on the coast