Best Carmel and Monterey Wedding Venues (2025)

Just 2.5 hours south of San Francisco, there's a magical place on the California coast where the redwoods meet the ocean and the ocean meets the mountains. The Monterey Bay has grown more and more as a destination over the years - and for good reason! People come from all over the world to see the abundant wildlife and drive down Highway 1 to see the views that California is known for. It's not a surprise that this area is also popular for weddings. Surrounded by such a diverse range of landscapes, there's wedding venues for every type of couple - redwood forests for a fairytale wedding in Big Sur, ocean-view terraces for romantic sunsets overlooking the Pacific Ocean, gardens flourishing against the Santa Lucia Mountains. And the best part is that oftentimes you don't have to choose just one! You could get ready in a redwoods cabin, say your vows in a garden, and chase the sunset on the coast all in one day if you wanted to. If that sounds like your dream wedding, out this guide on Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey wedding venues!

Planning an elopement or intimate wedding instead? Check out the Big Sur Elopement Guide for more information specifically for wedding days with smaller guest counts.

Big Sur Wedding Venues

For couples looking for a nature-centered wedding, it doesn't get better than Big Sur. A destination in its own right, Big Sur is home to a small number of wedding venues, all with stunning views ranging from redwoods to coast to beach to mountains. One important thing to note is that Big Sur is best for smaller weddings. Its remoteness and limited amenities and accommodations make planning for larger weddings more complicated (and of course, expensive!) Hiring local vendors is highly recommended, as the area can be difficult to navigate and has almost no cell service. Check out the guide on Top 10 Best Big Sur Wedding Venues for more info, or if planning a larger wedding is out of the budget, consider eloping or having an intimate wedding in Big Sur!
​

​Carmel Wedding Venues

Just north of Big Sur lies Carmel-by-the-Sea, a historic coastal town reminiscent of Europe, and Carmel Valley, a mountainous area reminiscent of Napa. Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect gateway to Big Sur, just 15 minutes from the start of the coastline (which is perfect if you love the idea of sunset overlooking the coast!) Carmel Valley brings you inland, where the sun shines more days of the year which makes for great weather for wineries and ranches. You'll find many venues suited for larger, luxury weddings in Carmel Valley. Check out Hyatt Carmel Highlands for one of the best sunset ocean views, La Playa Carmel for a European feel, or Carmel Valley Ranch for a wine country retreat.
​

Venue	Type	Guests	Good for Microweddings
Hyatt Carmel Highlands	Ocean	150	Yes
La Playa Carmel	Garden	200	Yes
Gardener Ranch	Garden	150	No
The Holly Farm	Garden	250	Yes
Bernardus Lodge and Spa	Garden / Mountains	150	Yes
Carmel Valley Ranch	Garden / Mountains	300	No
Holman Ranch	Winery / Mountains	400	No
Folktale Winery	Winery / Mountains	300	No
Gathering Ground Events	Mountains	70	Yes
The Camp at Carmel Valley	Rustic	120	Yes
Stonepine Estate	Estate	300	No
Mission Ranch	Farm	184	No
Wedgewood Carmel	Garden / Beach	270	No

​Hyatt Carmel Highlands | Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Check out photos from E + J's Hyatt Carmel Highlands wedding.

​La Playa Carmel | Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Check out photos from S + M's La Playa Carmel wedding.

​Holman Ranch | Carmel Valley, CA

Check out photos from D + C's Holman Ranch Wedding.

​Carmel Valley Ranch | Carmel Valley, CA

​Carmel Fields Wedgewood Weddings | Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Check out photos from K + E's Wedgewood Carmel Fields Wedding.

​Monterey and Pacific Grove Wedding Venues

Monterey is known for its diverse aquatic life. You'll often find harbor seals right at the wharf, otters diving for food, or even humpback whales and dolphins as you walk along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. Right next to Monterey is also Pebble Beach, famous for its golf courses and access to the 17-mile-drive, and Pacific Grove, a small town dotted with Victorian houses and coastal views that get covered in purple iceplants every spring (it's known as the magic carpet - you can look it up!) Most venues in Monterey are connected to hotels or historic landmarks. Check out the Barns at Cooper Molera for a hidden gem right in downtown Monterey (also next to Alta Bakery!) or the Memory Garden for a budget wedding venue.
​

Venue	Type	Guests	Good for Microweddings
Barns at Cooper Molera	Rustic	300	No
California Seltzer Co.	Ocean	150	Yes
Sanctuary Beach Resort	Beach	175	Yes
Monterey Beach Hotel	Beach / Ocean	250	Yes
Monterey Plaza Hotel	Ocean	300	Yes
InterContinental The Clement	Ocean	240	No
Portola Hotel & Spa	Garden	300	Yes
The Perry House	Garden	130	Yes
Wave Street Studios	Rustic / Industrial	135	Yes
The Club at Pasadera	Garden	150	No

​Barns at Cooper Molera | Monterey, CA

Check out photos from ​A + D's Barns at Cooper Molera wedding.​

​Sanctuary Beach Resort | Marina, CA

Check out photos from ​A + R's Sanctuary Beach Resort wedding.​

City and State Park Wedding Venues

If you're looking for just a ceremony site or a budget-friendly venue, state parks are the way to go. For coastal views, it doesn't get better than Garrapata State Park, the entry point to the Big Sur coastline. Some state parks also offer reception sites as well, such as the historic Asilomar Conference Grounds. Chairs are not typically provided by the park, but can be rented. If getting married in a public space, I highly recommend getting married on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
​

State Park	Location	Type	Guests	Chairs	Restrooms	Reception
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park	Big Sur	Trees	150	Benches	Yes	No
Garrapata State Park	Carmel	Coast	25	No	No	No
Garrapata State Beach	Carmel	Beach	200	Yes	Port-a-Potty	No
Carmel River State Beach	Carmel	Beach / Trees	200	Yes	Some	No
Asilomar Conference Grounds	Pacific Grove	Beach / Trees / Historic	120	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lover's Point	Pacific Grove	Ocean / Trees	100	Yes	No	No
Berwick Park	Pacific Grove	Ocean / Trees	100	Yes	No	No
Cypress Cove	Pacific Grove	Ocean / Trees	50	Yes	No	No
Point Pinos Lighthouse	Pacific Grove	Ocean / Trees	100	Yes	No	No
Jewell Park	Pacific Grove	Lawn / Trees	100	Yes	No	No
Memory Garden	Monterey	Garden	150	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stevenson Garden	Monterey	Garden	75	Yes	Yes	No
Custom House Plaza	Monterey	Historic	Depends	Yes	No	No

Garrapata State Park

Check out photos from M + M's Garrapata State Park Wedding.

Garrapata State Beach

Check out photos from A + K's Garrapata State Beach and C + C's Garrapata State Beach Wedding.

Carmel River State Beach

​Asilomar Conference Grounds | Pacific Grove, CA

Check out the Asilomar Conference Grounds Wedding Guide.

Berwick Park | Pacific Grove, CA

Check out photos from W + B's Berwick Park Wedding.

Stevenson Garden | Monterey, CA

Check out photos from A + R's Stevenson Garden Wedding.

As a local Big Sur wedding photographer who's helped plan and photograph over 200 elopements and weddings here, I've explored this area inside and out. This beautiful destination on the California coast is not just I work - it's where I call home. So if you've always dreamed of a day surrounded by nature, I'm here to capture all the magic that inspired you to get married here in the first place. ​

Let's do it!