Jess and Jill had an amazing elopement on a late winter day earlier this year. Big Sur was deserted and we had the coast to ourselves for this amazing wedding! Read on to find out all about their big sur elopement and also to find out more about Big Sur!
Jill and Jess chose to elope in Big Sur in February. They rented a van and drove down the coast together, starting their adventure with the redwoods and finding themselves at the calla lily meadow near the Garrapata state park. They got ready together in the van and then wrote their vows, listening to a playlist that they made specifically for this day.
Where is Big Sur?
First off, where even are we? Where is this Big Sur?? If you’re not familiar with this awesome destination, Big Sur is a section of california’s Central Coast that stretches between Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Simeon. It’s best known for its scenic driving route along Highway 1, where you’ll get to enjoy amazing views of the sea, and for its diverse landscapes all the way from forest groves to sandy beaches. There are TONS of opportunities for outdoor adventure in the Big Sur area. It’s definitely one of the best elopement locations in California simply because there are SO many ways you can customize your Big Sur elopement experience and make it your own!!
After they were dressed, they grabbed their vow books and headed down the trail. February is a lucky time of year because this is the only time that the calla lilies are in bloom. Lilies are Jess and Jill’s favorite flower so when they found out that they would be in bloom at this time of year, they knew it was meant to be!
After their ceremony, they headed down to the Garrapata Beach. The weather was perfect for February and it was easily 70 degrees. Jess and Jill threw off their clothes and decided to run into the sea to begin their married life together!
Jess and Jill ended their elopement doing what they love to do best: jump in the ocean. As cali girls at heart, they knew that they wanted to end their special day by snuggling in the sea, albeit for not very long due to the cold!
So what do you think? Does Big Sur sound like it could be perfect for YOUR big day? Let’s find out!
8 Best Big Sur Elopement Locations
What are the best places to elope in Big Sur?
Below is a list of my fav Big Sur elopement locations, including all the ‘tails you need to know about getting the right permits, how much it costs to park, and the best hikes in each area!
1. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
One of California’s best state parks, Julia Pfeiffer Burns stretches along the gorg Big Sur coastline, about 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. If you’ve ever seen photos of the beautiful McWay Falls, this is where its located! This is a great elopement location if you want vibrant blue waters & beaches to explore, massive redwoods, and stunning cliffside scenery.
Entrance fee: $10/car/day
Elopement permit: Special Event Permit
Permit details:
- Max group size: 10
- You may apply for your elopement permit up to 6 months in advance
- Additional fees may apply if you apply within 45 days of your desired date
- Applications within 21 days of your desired date won’t be considered
- Receptions/catered events not allowed
- No seating available
- No exclusive access sites available
My fave hikes:
- Overlook Trail to McWay Falls (easy)
- Ewoldsen Trail (moderate)
- Tanbark Trail and Tin House (hard)
2. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (a totally different park than Julia Pfeiffer Burns) sits on the western slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains and is occasionally called a “mini Yosemite” because of its amazing redwood groves, river banks, hikes, and views of the Big Sur River Gorge. It’s easy to access from Highway 1, and is super close to Pfeiffer Beach!!
Entrance fee: $10/car/day
Elopement permit: Special Event Permit
Permit details:
- Maximum group size: 10
- You may apply for your elopement permit up to 6 months in advance
- Additional fees may apply if you apply within 45 days of your desired date
- Applications within 21 days of your desired date won’t be considered
- Exclusive access event sites are available
Best hikes:
- Pfeiffer Falls Trail (easy)
- Buzzards Roost Trail (moderate)
- Valley View Overlook (moderate)
- Manuel Peak Trail (hard)
3. Garrapata State Park
Garrapata State Park is the one to choose if you want a little more of an underrated location that usually has fewer visitors than the two previous state parks. It’s a bit more hidden, with two miles of beachfront, tons of coastal hiking opportunities, and amazing views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The park is located at the northern end of Big Sur in Carmel and the rugged cliffs are to die for!
Entrance fee: $10/car/day
Elopement permit: Special Event Permit – contact BigSurEvents@parks.ca.gov for info
Best hikes:
- Garrapata Bluff Trail (easy)
- South Plateau-Mound Meadow Loop Trail (easy)
- Doud Peak via Soberanes Canyon Trail (hard)
4. Andrew Molera State Park
The fourth state park in the Big Sur area is Andrew Molera, the least developed of the parks with some really great spots for hiking & walking along the beach, as well as a hike-in campground. This park covers nearly 5,000 acres of land and is an amazing elopement location if you want gorgeous views that are a bit more well-preserved!
Entrance fee: $10/car/day
Elopement permit: Special Event Permit
Permit details:
- Maximum group size: 10
- You may apply for your elopement permit up to 6 months in advance
- Additional fees may apply if you apply within 45 days of your desired date
- Applications within 21 days of your desired date won’t be considered
- Receptions/catered events not allowed
- No seating available
- No exclusive access sites available
Best hikes:
- Creamery Meadows Trail (easy)
- Bluffs and Panorama Trail via Creamery Meadow (moderate)
- East Molera Trail to Post Summit (hard)
5. Limekiln State Park
Limekiln State Park is a smaller park that still has plenty to offer – redwoods, a beach, and a waterfall!! It’s located about 2 miles south of Lucia and has multiple historic sites to explore, various hiking & biking opportunities, and is usually a pretty peaceful place to experience the beautiful scenery of Big Sur.
Entrance fee: $10/car/day
Elopement permit: Special Event Permit – contact BigSurEvents@parks.ca.gov for info
Best hikes:
- Hare Creek and Limekiln Trails (easy)
- Limekiln Creek Falls Trail (moderate)
- Twin Peak (hard)
6. Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach
Keyhole Arch is an iconic rock formation just off Pfeiffer Beach (AKA “Purple Sand Beach”) that offers gorgeous scenery at any time of year, but is most known for the magical light it casts at sunset during a few weeks in the winter! Pfeiffer Beach confusingly isn’t a part of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park or Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park – it’s actually managed by the Los Padres National Forest. So you’ll need to follow the rules & regulations outlined on the national forest’s website when it comes to permits and special events. You only need a permit to get married in this national forest unless you have a group of 75 or more people, so you won’t need to worry about applying for any sort of special use permit for your big sur elopement!
Entrance fee: $10/car/day
Elopement permit: No permit required for groups of under 75 people
7. Bixby Creek Bridge
Bixby Creek Bridge is an amazing spot to stop for some portraits! This bridge is very aesthetic & very photographic in the mountains of Big Sur. It’s def worth a stop on the highway and is super easy to stop at on your drive!
Entrance fee: None
When to Elope in Big Sur
When is the best time for your big sur elopement?
Generally speaking the best time to elope in Big Sur is from late spring to early fall, from around April-October! This is when you’ll have beautifullll weather, amazing colors along the coast (whether you want the bright foliage of spring or the amazing shades of fall), and during the summer you’ll obviously have the most light + the longest days. Keep in mind, though, that because this is the best overall time to visit, there will be many other people visiting, and the popular spots can get pretty crowded at certain times of day.
If you elope in Big Sur during the summer, I recommend finding random pulloffs for your photos, or picking less popular spots so that you can avoid crowds as much as you can. And if you’re able to elope on a weekday instead of a weekend, that will help you avoid a lot of the tourists too!
If you want to elope in Big Sur at a time where you’ll get great weather and slightly fewer crowds, I would elope between September-November ish. The evenings will be a bit cooler and the days will become shorter, but most tourists won’t be visiting during these months since there aren’t any major holidays that people have off of work. You’ll get the gorgeous fall colors and will still hopefully get gorgeous sunsets and sunny days!
Make sure to also pay attention to extreme weather conditions at the locations you’re considering for your elopement, such as wildfires – unfortunately California gets a lot of wildfires in the summer that often close off certain roads, trails, and sections of parks. So it’s important to monitor the conditions and watch for any closures at your elopement location in the weeks leading up to your trip, and to make multiple backup plans!
Big Sur Elopement & Wedding Permits
What permits do you need to elope in Big Sur?
This depends on the exact location where you’re having your Big Sur elopement ceremony. If you have your elopement ceremony at a state park in Big Sur, you’ll need to get a California State Park Special Event Permit & follow the rules of the specific park. Usually you won’t be able to have more than 10 people attending and you’ll need to apply for your permit between 45 days & 6 months of your desired elopement date. Below are the links to permit info for each of the state parks in the Big Sur area!
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Wedding & Elopement Permits
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Wedding & Elopement Permits
- Andrew Molera State Park Wedding & Elopement Permits
For info about wedding & elopement permits for Garrapata and Limekiln State Parks, you can contact the wedding special event coordinator at BigSurEvents@parks.ca.gov.
Remember, you’ll also need to pay the entrance fee for the elopement location you choose – the entrance fee for California state parks is usually $10 per car per day, and for any other locations, you can typically find fee info wherever you park your car.
Where to Stay in Big Sur for Your Elopement
Big Sur is well-known for its AMAZING landscapes & scenery, so you bet there are tons of places to stay where you can wake up to these incredible views. Whether you want to stay in a rustic yurt or a spacious home, a luxury resort or an upscale treehouse, a glamping campground or a traditional tent campground, there are sooo many options for everyone! I def recommend staying with or near your guests if you’re having any, because it’s so fun to be able to spend that quality time with your friends if you’re all at the same Airbnb, resort, or campground.
Here are the best Airbnbs, hotels, resorts, lodges, & campgrounds to stay at for your Big Sur elopement!
Airbnb’s
- Guesthouse in Carmel Valley
- Home in Big Sur
- Home in Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Yurt in Big Sur
- Carmel Oceanview Charmer
- Big Sur Stone House
Hotels, Lodges, & Resorts
Campgrounds
- Big Sur Campground & Cabins
- Fernwood Campground & Resort
- Treebones Resort
- Kirk Creek Campground
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground
Big Sur Elopement Photographer
That’s me!! Let’s start planning your dream Big Sur elopement and I’ll let you in on all my best tips that I’ve gathered from past Big Sur elopements I’ve photographed. Contact me here when you’re ready to do this thang 😉
Big Sur Elopement Packages + Pricing
Ready to start planning?? Let’s do it – you can check out my Big Sur elopement packages on my website here!!
More Elopement Planning Resources
Best Hiking Boots for Adventure Elopements in 2023
Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Dream Hiking Elopement Dress
How to Plan Your Perfect Elopement in 18 Steps
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