Big Sur is such a popular proposal destination. It’s a location along the beautiful coastline of California. You can find it by following Highway 1 just south of Monterrey to just about the San Luis Obispo region. In this area you’ll find striking views. The rugged mountains of Santa Lucia meet the Pacific Ocean and creating nothing be gorgeous sights to see. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, it can be pretty overwhelming even though it’s all beautiful. No worries though, the Proposal Planners at The Heart Bandits are here to help! If you’re considering a marriage proposal idea in one of the most beautiful places in all of California, look no further than these four magical spots which are the best that Big Sur has to offer. We also offer proposal packages in Big Sur that you can do in these locations as well.
McWay Falls
This location not only offers a beautiful waterfall, which is rare in California, but also has a gorgeous cove. If proposing next to a stunning 80-foot waterfall sounds like a good idea, we agree. This phenomenally beautiful waterfall empties directly into the ocean, one of only a few on the west coast that does. Consider visiting at sunset when the sun’s ray’s hit the water, turning it into a fountain of liquid gold. Check out a Google street view from the trail on top of the bridge HERE. You really cannot go wrong with this location especially with the perfectly placed lookout locations.
Bixby Creek Bridge
You’ve seen this bridge, even if you’re not aware that you have. That’s because it is one of the most photographed places in all of California and has been featured in countless commercials, movies and popular TV shows. If you’re an HBO fan, then it’s the famous bridge that appears in the hit show “Big Little Lies”. The dramatic view afforded by this 714 foot long bridge is unbeatable, with a perfect vista of the Pacific Ocean beneath, and would be a perfect place to propose. This bridge opened in 1932 so it definitely has a lot of history. It brings a lot of the old historic charm of California that you really can’t find anywhere else.
The vista point may get a little crowded on weekends so be sure to time it right so that you avoid crowds for your engagement. A good proposal idea would be to have a musician waiting here for you. How shocked would your partner be when you arrive at this gorgeous location with historic bridge and having your song sung?
Pfeiffer Beach
If an otherworldly experience is what you’re after with your proposal, consider popping the question at Pfeiffer Beach. This tiny beach is the jewel of California and one of the most unique that the gold coast has to offer, with its purple sand and famous rock arch.
This rock arch is officially known as the Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. Catch it at just the right time of year and you can even see the sunset rays coming directly through it.
The beach itself is gorgeous and if you approach the northern end of it, there is actually purple sand that is beautiful and unique to this area.
Sierra Mar
This is actually a restaurant which you can see HERE. It is located at Post Ranch Inn and this iconic restaurant has one of the most fabulous views in all of Big Sur. It has floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer sweeping vistas of the Pacific ocean. Delicious food, fantastic wine pairings, and a romantic atmosphere make this the perfect location to propose in Big Sur.
An option would be to try to work with the staff of the restaurant to get the most romantic table in the place. Or maybe come in to celebrate after getting engaged earlier in the day?
Soberanes Point
This is a favorite spot of The Heart Bandits! The location comes seemingly out of nowhere. It is a striking location where the mountains roll down and cause a drastic border between land and sea. There are many points on the trailhead that offer beautiful rocky views and also perfect for proposals. Some good options would be to have one of our Cliffside Picnic proposals or Photo Tour packages here.
Off the Beaten Path
Another option in case your idea has tons of flexibility is to simply choose an even smaller location of Highway 1. If your proposal idea is very simple (like maybe you read her a poem or want it to be at some spontaneous moment) then this would work. There are times with some spots in Big Sur can get crowded so this may be the best option for you in case you want it to be more secluded.
Do you need help coming up with the perfect proposal idea or planning your dream proposal? Look no further than the proposal experts at The Heart Bandits – Wedding Proposal Planners. Contact us today to get started on your dream engagement. Don’t forget to check out our Big Sur Proposal Packages.
Don’t forget to also check out ringstash.com for a unique ring box with a compact design that is far better than any traditional ring box! It is featured in the proposal photo above too!
Christina Clawson