Big Sur vs Carmel: Where Those Cliffside Elopement Sites Actually Are
When couples start planning a Big Sur elopement, they often have a very specific image in mind—dramatic ocean cliffs, sweeping views, and easy access. Here’s the part that’s not obvious: many of those iconic cliffside viewpoints people associate with Big Sur are actually located in Carmel–just to the north of Big Sur. They’re marketed to couples as being “Big Sur Cliffs,” but technically, that’s not geographically accurate.
The Difference in a Nutshell
Big Sur is known for its rugged, undeveloped coastline. Carmel and the surrounding area offer more accessible coastal viewpoints with those wide, open cliffside views. Both are beautiful—but they are not equal when it comes to eloping.
What Big Sur Actually Feels Like
Big Sur is more remote than Carmel. In addition, couples are often surprised at how inaccessible the Big Sur coastline actually is. It’s a stunning drive with breathtaking views, but often those views can only be seen from the roadway, or from scenic pullouts off Highway One. These aren’t ideal spots to have a ceremony, however.
What Carmel Cliffside Locations Offer
The cliffside settings most people picture tend to be easier to access, with more open, panoramic viewpoints and simpler logistics for timing, attire, and vendors. In many cases, you can park, walk a short distance on (mostly) stable ground, and have a wide, unobstructed ocean view within minutes. Much easier than rappelling down a cliff in a wedding gown…which is illegal in Big Sur, anyway. Please don’t try it.
Big Sur Doesn’t Have Accessible Cliffs
In spite of the hype, most of the sites in the northern part of Big Sur are merely pullouts off the road. There are places like McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The Overlook Trail to view McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns is CLOSED for a long-term retaining wall repair project. This project will limit parking spaces inside the park and is expected to continue into 2026. The only place to view the McWay Falls is from a small viewing area on the side of Highway 1. Even when the viewing area reopens, know that it’s almost always crowded with tourists and is hardly a private place to say “I do.”
There are private places with good overlook views (like the Post Ranch Inn and Ventana Inn) but these have high price points and are not in the budget range of many eloping couples.
And if you’re hoping to find a place in Big Sur that offers both sweeping cliff overlooks and beach access, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Those types of places are also in Carmel–which offers a location or two with either a staircase or a path winding down to the beach.
Why This Matters for Your Elopement
If you’re envisioning a short walk to a stunning overlook, minimal stress getting in and out, and a more predictable setup, you’re likely picturing something closer to Carmel. Everyone markets these sites as being “in Big Sur,” when in reality they aren’t. Is this a problem? Only if Big Sur proper is a must-have for your wedding site.
The main reason it matters is when it comes to choosing lodging for your “Big Sur” elopement. Practically speaking, there are many more places to stay in Carmel than in Big Sur. And since Big Sur is a long, thin strip of land along the Pacific Coast, it’s possible if you choose one of these cliffside locations that is actually in Carmel, and then book a hotel that is in Big Sur, you may have a much longer drive than you anticipate to get back and forth to your ceremony site. In addition, Carmel also has more options when it comes to eating out. So, it’s possible you could be getting married and dining (and possibly having a cocktail) in Carmel, only to have to drive 10+ miles on twisty Highway One…in the dark…back to your Big Sur lodging…for your wedding night.
That’s a recipe for a stressful start to your married life.
Now you’re starting to get the idea of why it matters whether your Big Sur elopement site is actually in Carmel.
If you’re planning to elope in Big Sur, this gives a clearer picture of what the day actually involves.
Choosing the Right Location (Without Guessing)
This is one of the most common points of confusion we see. Most couples don’t realize there’s a difference until they’re deep into planning—and by then, it can affect timing, logistics, and expectations. We walk through these differences with you as part of the planning process so you end up in a location that actually matches what you’re envisioning—not just what it’s called. If you’re considering a Big Sur elopement, you can see how our packages are structured here:
Part of our job is to make sure you choose your elopement site with your eyes wide open to all of the ramifications of your selection. That’s how we ensure your day is stress free–and actually fun–from start to finish.
