Carmel/Big Sur area site - 010302rocky
Carmel/Big Sur area site - 010302rocky
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Located just north of Big Sur, this beach sites offers a stunning Pacific Ocean backdrop for your beach wedding. Views to both the north and south showcase the Big Sur/Carmel coastline. The hills of the site are covered with ice plant, which blooms purple, pink and yellow in late spring/early summer.
The site is one of the few in Carmel/Big Sur that offers both dramatic cliffs and beach access. You can be married on the cliffs and then go down to the beach for more photos, or vice versa.
What we love about this site:
Offers both cliffside site and toes-in-the-sand on the beach site.
Beautiful ice plant in pinks, purples and yellows abound in early to mid-summer.
Permits are offered that ensure there will be no other events going on at the date and time of your wedding.
On weekdays, this site is usually quite private.
Potential drawbacks of this site
If you opt for the cliff overlook, there is a 3-minute walk that requires scrambling up a short hill (about 5 steps). So, it's not for those with mobility issues. The beach also requires a 3 minute walk and there is a multi-level staircase to get down to the shore.
Parking can be limited in summer. If you have more than 4 vehicles, we suggest getting a shuttle.
The staircase sometimes gets washed out in spring and the governing body neglects to inform us. If it makes beach access impossible, we'd need to keep everything up on the cliffs.
It does require a paid permit. See fees below.
Accessibility
Parking is on the side of the road: the overlook is a short walk from parking. Parking will be crowded on weekends, so we don't advise that weddings be held here on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.
Access from parking: Accessible for most. Site requires walking over some uneven ground and up one small hill. It would be difficult for anyone with mobility issues. Beach access requires walking down a long wooden staircase. The staircase sometimes gets washed out in spring, making the beach inaccessible for a few weeks.
Additional Logistics
Dogs: leashed dogs are allowed on the beach. Dogs are not allowed on the overlook.
Bathrooms: none.
Suitable for children: not small children. There is no protective barrier on the edge of the cliffs.
Max vehicles accommodated: up to five (5) cars in addition to those of your ceremony vendors.
Max number of guests at this site: 30 on the beach. 15 on the cliffs.
Dates of Availability: year-round.
Permits and Fees
Permits and Fees
This site is managed by the state of California and a permit for weddings of any size is required. We will add the permit cost to your package with Blue Sky Elopements and obtain the permit for you.
Up to 6 guests - $175
7-21 guests - $450
22-30 guests - $550
Weddings of any size with chairs and/or an arch - $750 (Beach only - we cannot set up chairs or arches on the overlook)
(Reminder: we do not book weddings with more than 30 guests.)
Holidays incur additional fees for permits. We strongly discourage use of this site for holiday events as it will inevitably be crowded and not offer you the private experience you're seeking.
Photos - Scroll through the gallery below
Video
Location
Note: place marker is approximate; the actual location will be provided upon booking.
Monterey County Calendar of Events
IMPORTANT: be sure to check the calendar of events for the dates you're considering before you submit your date to us. Local events can impact traffic and the accessibility of your site.
Carmel/Big Sur Average Temps and Precipitation
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