Big Sur has long been a perfect location for romance - with its towering redwood forests and rugged coastline, it's no wonder that so many couples choose to propose here! Its remote location and otherworldliness makes it an ideal location for proposals. If you're thinking of getting engaged in Big Sur, check out the guide below for tips on how to choose a location for your proposal and important things to consider when travelling to this area!  "I am a photographer myself and majored in it, and the time came when I was proposing to my now fiancé! We were traveling through Carmel, CA and I found Lynn’s work - everything was great, her compositions, framing, editing, selects, locations. She provided me locations, how to get there, and made a very very special moment for us absolutely amazing and stress free!!! It was an incredible experience and the captured moment is forever perfect. We are printing these out for our home and will cherish them forever! Thank you Lynn!!!!!" - J + J 
Whether you're visiting Big Sur for the first time as a bucket list destination, or returning back to explore California coastline, I got you. I'm here to be your Big Sur expert. All proposal packages include:
If there's one thing to know about Big Sur, it's that there are countless viewpoints all along Highway 1! From the rocky coastline of Garrapata State Park, to the redwood trails at Pfeiffer Big Sur, to the giant rock formations at Pfeiffer Beach, to the waterfalls of Julia Pfeiffer Big Sur, you certainly have many options when it comes to choosing a spot to propose. Dotted along Highway 1 are also hotels and cabins ranging from the luxury resort of Alila Ventana Big Sur to modern cabins of Glen Oaks to quaint stays like Deetjen's. If you're not hiring a photographer, you can choose any one of these locations! But there is truly something so special about having your proposal documented - it's a moment of such genuine joy, tears, and happiness. If you are hiring a photographer, you'll want to plan ahead. Choosing a location with your photographer can make a huge difference in the experience and in the photos that are captured, especially because not all locations work. For example, McWay Falls is a gorgeous waterfall over the ocean but is much too crowded for a proposal, doesn't allow professional photography, and has no good viewing points to capture both a couple and the waterfall all in the same photo. Pfeiffer Beach is another popular spot, but is often closed due to flooding or wildfires, and known to be extremely windy. Most locations within Big Sur require obtaining a professional photography permit as well. So it's super helpful to have a photographer who knows the area well and can recommend the best locations! 
 "Where to begin. Lynn is just incredible! We flew across the country for our proposal and Lynn captured the moment so well. She was so helpful organizing all the logistics before the big day and was always quick to respond to any questions I had which made planning so easy. If you want a photographer that will blow your mind, pick Lynn." - J + A
Where to Propose in Big SurWhat are the best spots for proposals then? Here's the truth: the best locations are the ones that you find simply by exploring! But if you aren't familiar with the area or don't have the time to scout it beforehand, don't worry. As an expert in planning and photographing Big Sur proposals, I've scouted out all the different trails to help you choose the best location for what you're looking for. Most of these locations can't be found labelled anywhere on Google Maps, which means that most of time you'll be the only ones there! This makes for a much more private proposal away from the crowds. When narrowing down a location, I typically recommend considering a few factors. PERMITS: If you plan on having a photographer, you'll need to know that all state parks in the Carmel and Big Sur area require a photography permit through the California Film Commission. This can be obtained as an individual permit for one specific session, or an annual permit. Some parks, such as Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, don't issue permits. For the parks that do issue permits, each park (Garrapata State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Julia Pfeiffer State Park, etc.) requires its own permit, so the redwoods state park permit is a separate application and fee from the coastal state park permit. If you plan on taking photos in the redwoods and coast, you'll need both permits. The redwoods state parks also have an additional restriction that sessions can only take place on Monday through Thursday dates. To apply for and obtain a session permit, the photographer will need to submit an application that includes a certificate of insurance and a description of which trail they will be going on. That's why it's important to hire a photographer who knows where to go, as they will need to include this information on the permit application. (But don't worry - I obtain annual photography permits for both the redwoods and coastal state parks in the Big Sur area, so you don't have to worry about a thing!)
CURRENT ROAD AND TRAIL CONDITIONS: Big Sur is a rugged destination, so that means that trail and road conditions can often change! It's important to keep up to date on current conditions so that you can plan accordingly. For example, since the March 2023 Highway 1 closure, you can visit most of the major viewpoints Big Sur is known for, but you can't drive the scenic route on Highway 1 from San Francisco straight to Los Angeles - instead, you can take the 101. This road closure isn't expected to reopen until 2025. Use Google Maps, Big Sur Kate, and Caltrans to check current road conditions. However, luckily this doesn't affect being able to explore most of Big Sur so don't worry! Trail conditions can often change as well. For example, the Pfeiffer Falls trail closed in March 2023 from the same storms that closed Highway 1, but you can reach the same waterfall through the Valley View Trail. Some trails in Big Sur can also get overgrown with poison oak, so it's best to visit those in the winter months. It's always good to be flexible when exploring Big Sur - you never know what hidden gems you'll find along the way! The great thing about this area is that even if one trail is closed, there are countless more locations that are just as beautiful. And as a local Big Sur photographer, I'm often visiting these locations multiple times a week and keeping up to date on all highway conditions, so I can always provide the most up-to-date information to make sure you have a smooth and easy experience navigating the trails. 
TIME OF DAY: If you're proposing on the coast, nothing beats sunsets over the cliffs! But sometimes there are other factors to consider. Are you proposing in a spot that's more popular? If so, sunrise might be the best option. Are you proposing in the redwoods? If so, then every redwoods spot is different. Some are best in the morning, others in the afternoon. You may also want to have dinner plans, so if you want to have a dinner with a view, you may want to plan your proposal to be earlier in the day. Below is an afternoon proposal which started out as a cloudy day, which was perfect to highlight the vibrant greens and blues of Big Sur. You can see that the sun peeked out later on when we went to the beach after! 
ATTIRE: Will your partner want to be dressed up for the proposal? You know your partner best - would they want to be dressed up for the proposal? Or would it ruin the surprise if you asked her to dress up? It can sometimes be suspicious to ask your partner to dress up for a hike, so you may want to have dinner plans as an excuse to dress up. Below is a proposal that took place on a relatively flat trail, which made it easy to get to the location without having to climb up and down the cliffs. 
SHOES: The more dramatic the cliffside, the more steep the trail likely is. I always recommend couples wear comfortable, flat shoes. If you know your partner may prefer to wear dressier shoes, then you may want to choose an easier trail or bring shoes to change into. Below is a proposal that takes place on a steep cliff, so I always recommend making sure your partner feels comfortable and wears appropriate shoes! 
COMFORT LEVEL: Are you two comfortable with standing on the cliffs, or do either of you have a fear of heights? Though most locations don't require much hiking - 5-15 minutes at most - some overlooks can be pretty steep (especially the dramatic ones!)
GUESTS: Most trails in Big Sur are narrow, making it very difficult to plan a proposal with guests without your partner seeing them along the trail. If it is important to include guests in your proposal, you'll want to either choose a location that's accessible, or plan a celebration after the proposal. 
DECOR: If you're wanting decor for your proposal, you'll want to choose a location that's flat and easy to set up decor in. Most cliffside locations are not suited for this, but beach locations can be a great alternative! You can even surprise your partner with a picnic on the beach after the proposal. There are companies that can set up picnics for you so that you don't have to worry about bringing anything! 
COORDINATION: There's no cell service in Big Sur, so it's very important that you coordinate with your photographer ahead of time. It can be very easy to get lost as many turnouts look the same. When coordinating a proposal, I always provide detailed instructions, GPS coordinates to the parking location, Google Streetview to identify the trailhead, a map of the trail, and identifiable markers to make sure that you're on the right path. To ensure that we find each other on the day of, I'll also ask for what car you'll be driving, what you'll be wearing, and a photo of you two. This helps me to identify you so I can head out to the trail and be ready in place for the proposal. No matter where you propose though, you truly can't go wrong in Big Sur! Where to Stay in Big SurIf you want to be surrounded by nature, staying in Big Sur will truly feel like you're in another world. For a cabin-in-the-woods experience, check out Glen Oaks Big Sur for modern cabins, Deetjen's for rustic cabins (and friendly cats!), or maybe even glamping at Ventana Big Sur. For a more luxury resort stay, Ventana Big Sur and Post Ranch Inn can't be beat. If you're wanting to be right by the coast, check out Hyatt Carmel Highlands and Tickle Pink Inn. For more budget-friendly stays in Big Sur, check out Big Sur Lodge, Big Sur River Inn, or Big Sur Campgrounds. Alternatively, you can also find plenty of accommodations outside of Big Sur including Airbnbs and Vrbos, and just make Big Sur a day trip! Staying in the Monterey Peninsula will allow you to be closer to more restaurants, activities, and hotels.
Planning Your Big Sur ItineraryBesides hiking through the coast and redwoods, here are things to do in Big Sur:
Planning on making it a road trip? Here's an itinerary for things to do when driving from Big Sur to Monterey to Santa Cruz to San Francisco. Monterey / Carmel / Pacific Grove
"I cannot say enough great things about Lynn. I recently proposed to my girlfriend in Big Sur and reached out to Lynn to photograph the occasion. I am not local to the area, so she was super helpful with providing suggested proposal locations, times, and pro tips! She was communicative, professional, and made the entire experience enjoyable and memorable for the right reasons. We received sneak peak photos that same night, which my fiancee was incredibly happy about. I would highly recommend Lynn to anyone looking for stunning pictures for their special occasion!" - J + A
2 Comments
Daniel pinch
7/6/2024 09:31:39 am
We are voming to Big Sur on July 28-30 and I’m wanting to plan a proposal on Monday July 29th. I have never been there before but my girlfriend is from California. So I’m trying to pick the right spot to go. Would definitely like beach cliff views. I’m gonna do dinner and then catch the sunset that evening. Any suggestions and I’m wondering your cost for photo shoot.
Lynn Lewis
7/8/2024 08:37:25 am
You can send an inquiry through the contact form: lynnchanglewis.com/contact.html. Starting prices are listed on the pricing page! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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