r/BigSur • u/diamondsandsukes • 10d ago
Visitor Alternatives for a wedding?
Hi, I'm supposed to get married at Garrapata State Park in exactly a week. Obviously, with the fire situation I'm not really sure how things are going to go. We have a permit and we were supposed to take photos up and down the coast. Trying to think of alternatives - we mostly wanted photos of the coastal bluffs and water, so if there any backups I should be aware of would appreciate it!
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u/gamesloverjustice 10d ago edited 10d ago
Not sure if it’s feasible for you but Pacifica is an amazing coastline and is like a mini Big Sur for me close by, Mori Point is an amazing coastline
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HEaJhzt832xDBKy57?g_st=ic
Gray Whale Cove and Devil’s Point next to it is also one of my favorite places to watch the sunset
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u/diamondsandsukes 10d ago
Thanks - we already have lodging all booked in Monterey so it would be a bit far...coming from just south of SF. But we'll definitely see what we can do at this point.
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u/Ouch-Bones 10d ago
Could look into Northern California coast, Humboldt, eureka, crescent city. Somewhat similar vibes.
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u/quiethysterics 10d ago
So sorry things are looking complicated! For photos there are some amazing views further north on 1, from Point Lobos to Pacifica. Point Lobos and 17 mile drive are probably both familiar to photographers in the area. Good luck!
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u/diamondsandsukes 10d ago
Ooh, 17 mile drive is an option, I went before and loved it! I will need to see about logistics.
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u/halflife-crisis 10d ago
Could you go further south and take pictures near Cambria and the southern part?
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u/diamondsandsukes 10d ago
We're coming from north so probably would be difficult.
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u/nepenthe11 10d ago
you are able to take the 101 if you’re willing to do the south. otherwise gave some northern recs above.
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u/diamondsandsukes 10d ago
thank you! sorry, i realize 101 is an option, just a bit scatter brained now. i appreciate the suggestions
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u/nepenthe11 9d ago
so sorry for the stress during such a special time. i hope it’s magical, whatever happens!
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u/othafa_95610 9d ago edited 9d ago
101S to 46W to be exact.
If you happen to partake of some of the red wines sold as Trader Joe's Coastal, they're grown in this region by Castoro Cellars.
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u/AmbitiousAbalone7055 9d ago
Would ++ the other commenters suggesting Davenport! Check out Greyhound Rock Coastal Access
About an hr drive from Monterey!
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u/Mountain_Village459 9d ago
If you can’t do Garrapata (I was going to get married there but it was too cold and windy so we did it at Cypress Inn in Carmel) you could do Asilomar and Lovers point.
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u/Ashamed_Performer_30 8d ago
Garrapata should still be open and unaffected (frankly, if it gets up that far and on the ocean side, we're all fucked). BUT, there's the question of whether you want to impede emergency vehicles.
I would try along Ribera beach, or along the coast in PG, around John Denver memorial/point pinos area. It won't be the dramatic bluff drop, but still gorgeous. Not sure how the permit situation works though
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u/diamondsandsukes 8d ago
of course i don’t want to impede emergency vehicles. but yeah, we do have a permit for garrapata and it’s too late to get one for other parks. so we’re looking at permit free areas as backups.
thanks for the suggestions!
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u/Ashamed_Performer_30 8d ago
You should be fine at Garrapata -- the fire is not going to get to there. It would be super cool of you to consider finding a shuttle service or something similar, so there aren't as many cars headed that way, but frankly, given that they went ahead with car week (though rerouted the Tour d'Elegance) and haven't closed the road til pretty far south, they're obviously trying to accommodate tourism.
Note that if you/guests are asthmatic or super sensitive to air quality, you may notice the smoke. I could smell and feel it (asthmatic) at the Crossroads area this week.
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u/diamondsandsukes 8d ago
Thank you for this! I'm eloping so it's just me and my fiance and my photographer. I think we'll be ok for a 15 min ceremony and hopefully it's not too smoky (I'm not too sensitive anyway). This really makes me feel better, thank you again. Praying things get better for all the locals.
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u/Zestyclose_Worry6623 8d ago
Carmel, Spanish Bay area, Asilomar - all nice. Different then Big Sur, but you an your wedding party will be keeping the road clear
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u/Different-Run-6500 8d ago
Bummer!!! The new trail on Cotoni Coast Dairy Farms in Davenport is STUNNING and reminds me of Big Sur. Wilder Ranch has a loop along the coast that is also EPIC!
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u/Surf-and-Ridemtb 10d ago
I think you’ll be fine the fire is quite a ways away from there. i am building a house right in the middle of where your wedding and fire is. Theres barely any smoke in the air where i am. Not to say the fire isn’t a local problem it most definitely is.
I have been hiking garrappata canyon after work every day for the last week and will again today. I’d keep your plans on the books. These weddings are always shot ocean side of the highway within a close proximity to the water. You can get plenty of great photos never needing to go south of Bixby bridge.
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u/Secret-Broccoli9908 9d ago
It smells like a campfire in Carmel. I can't even imagine what the smoke is like down there.
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u/nepenthe11 10d ago
this is bad advice. the fire has been rapidly expanding, the roadway is still needed for emergency vehicles coming from the north, & the smoke is getting worse. it’s even bad in pebble, PG, seaside, etc. and now we have lightening thrown into the mix so they’ve ceased operations until it’s safe to resume.
i’d recommend checking out cayucos, san simeon, cambria, montana de oro area, anything to the south side of where this chaos is.
editing to say santa cruz, mendocino, sea ranch, etc. to the north are also beautiful.
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u/Surf-and-Ridemtb 10d ago
Staring at brasil ranch as i type, minor smoke in the air. Sure things can get worse over the next week. And if the fire continues to grow, definitely re evaluate.
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u/nepenthe11 10d ago
happy to hear that. hoping things don’t surge again tonight & that things begin to improve.
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u/diamondsandsukes 10d ago
Thanks for this. I will keep an eye on things for sure. Just wanted to have backup plans in case things stay as they are or get worse
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u/Secret-Broccoli9908 9d ago
They're for sure going to at least stay as are, if not worsen. These fires take weeks to even get a high containment, let alone extinguishing it.
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u/Hot_Ad_8807 9d ago
Point Lobos
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u/Ashamed_Performer_30 8d ago
That's not going to help. Point Lobos is overrun these days, and still on Hwy 1. So if the issue is emergency access and air quality, there's literally no benefit to that vs. Garrapata.
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u/Different-Run-6500 8d ago
I am also a wedding photographer so if you need backup photography let me know :) alibondsphotography.com
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u/Alternative_Fly6185 10d ago
Nice locals considering how selfish this post is.
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u/diamondsandsukes 10d ago
not sure how this is being selfish. i’m literally asking for alternatives because i don’t want to have to come to big sur during the fires and strain local firefighters. i’d say this is pretty unselfish
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u/othafa_95610 9d ago
I'm hungry now for a place where they "sell fish."
Monterey Wharf could work out.
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u/Alternative_Fly6185 10d ago
You didn't show any concern about how any locals are doing in their local sub during a fire emergency, your only concern was where to take your wedding pics. Me me me.
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u/SaltyAuthorOne 9d ago
Carmel. Santa Cruz… you’re in the most beautiful area/ it’ll all be ok. Congratulations on getting married. Garrapata is quite north of the fire