Monterey Peninsula Parks for Weddings
Monterey County is blessed with mild weather and beautiful parks, making it the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding or renewal celebration. There are some great parks for weddings in Pacific Grove, Monterey and Carmel Valley.
Lovers Point Park. Located in the quaint town of Pacific Grove, this park features a large grassy area, majestic trees, and views of the Monterey Bay. Of course, with a name like Lovers Point, it is quite popular for weddings. From the park, there is great access to various photography spots, including the beach, a coastal trail, and rock formations that jut out over the water. The City of Pacific Grove charges a permit fee of about $1100 (reduced for Pacific Grove Residents)
Berwick Park. Also located in Pacific Grove, but between the downtown area and Cannery Row, Berwick Park is a large, rectangular stretch of grass with multiple views of the water and access to a tiny beach for couples' portraits. Off to the right is an enormous Cypress Tree and a shaded area which is also quite nice for ceremonies (and a little more private - referred to as Cypress Grove). Access from this area to beautiful cliff areas overlooking the Bay and out towards Lovers Point Park. Same permit fees as above ($1100) through the City of Pacific Grove.
San Carlos Park. Located at the very beginning of Cannery Row, San Carlos Park features a beach (with easy ramp or stair access), a large, well-maintained stretch of grass, and views of Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, a large fountain, and, of course, the Monterey Bay. The City of Monterey does not charge a permit fee, but you can only assemble for a wedding informally (e.g., no chairs, no arch - so best for our elopement packages)
Asilomar Gazebo. Located within Asilomar State Park, the gazebo is a beautiful place to get married if you like the feel of the beach without having to stand in the sand. Walk along a short wooden boardwalk to reach the gazebo and enjoy views of the Pacific, the beaches, and surrounding rocky outcroppings. Perfect for parties of up to about 6-8 people. Asilomar currently charges a $400 rental fee.
Carmel Valley Park. For us locals, this is an area we go to to find warmer weather. Although it is only about a 20-minute drive from downtown Carmel, temperatures can be up to 20 degrees warmer there. This large park has an adorable gazebo that can be used for weddings. $300 permit fee for the Gazebo. Nearby you can find a vareity of tasting rooms and restaurants with outdoor space.
Wedding Rock. An appropriate name for a pathway that leads you out to a rock formation that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and out towards two beaches and the northern boundary of Pt. Lobos. It's a short, relatively flat hike that takes just about 3-4 minutes. Due to the small area for staging chairs, it's best for weddings with 30 or fewer guests. Through the California State Parks, permit fees vary but average between $400 - $650 (a low-cost Micro Permit may be available through our company for weddings with 10 or fewer people, with no arch/chairs/decor).
Pt. Lobos. We do not host any weddings here (the State Parks sometimes allows them but without any parking passes guaranteed, guest (and our set up team) could have to walk to a wedding location for over 20 minutes. Beautiful place but not the best idea for a wedding.
Toro Park. Monterey County is made up of many different areas - each with its own charm. Toro Park is located off Highway 68, which leads from Monterey out towards the mostly agricultural community of Salinas. Toro Park is one of the prettiest parks of all and offers a variety of areas for a wedding celebration (and the permit fees are quite reasonable). Toro Park is about a 20-minute drive East of downtown Monterey.
We do have a few other parks available, but please contact us for details.
Monterey County is blessed with mild weather and beautiful parks, making it the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding or renewal celebration. There are some great parks for weddings in Pacific Grove, Monterey and Carmel Valley.
Lovers Point Park. Located in the quaint town of Pacific Grove, this park features a large grassy area, majestic trees, and views of the Monterey Bay. Of course, with a name like Lovers Point, it is quite popular for weddings. From the park, there is great access to various photography spots, including the beach, a coastal trail, and rock formations that jut out over the water. The City of Pacific Grove charges a permit fee of about $1100 (reduced for Pacific Grove Residents)
Berwick Park. Also located in Pacific Grove, but between the downtown area and Cannery Row, Berwick Park is a large, rectangular stretch of grass with multiple views of the water and access to a tiny beach for couples' portraits. Off to the right is an enormous Cypress Tree and a shaded area which is also quite nice for ceremonies (and a little more private - referred to as Cypress Grove). Access from this area to beautiful cliff areas overlooking the Bay and out towards Lovers Point Park. Same permit fees as above ($1100) through the City of Pacific Grove.
San Carlos Park. Located at the very beginning of Cannery Row, San Carlos Park features a beach (with easy ramp or stair access), a large, well-maintained stretch of grass, and views of Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, a large fountain, and, of course, the Monterey Bay. The City of Monterey does not charge a permit fee, but you can only assemble for a wedding informally (e.g., no chairs, no arch - so best for our elopement packages)
Asilomar Gazebo. Located within Asilomar State Park, the gazebo is a beautiful place to get married if you like the feel of the beach without having to stand in the sand. Walk along a short wooden boardwalk to reach the gazebo and enjoy views of the Pacific, the beaches, and surrounding rocky outcroppings. Perfect for parties of up to about 6-8 people. Asilomar currently charges a $400 rental fee.
Carmel Valley Park. For us locals, this is an area we go to to find warmer weather. Although it is only about a 20-minute drive from downtown Carmel, temperatures can be up to 20 degrees warmer there. This large park has an adorable gazebo that can be used for weddings. $300 permit fee for the Gazebo. Nearby you can find a vareity of tasting rooms and restaurants with outdoor space.
Wedding Rock. An appropriate name for a pathway that leads you out to a rock formation that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and out towards two beaches and the northern boundary of Pt. Lobos. It's a short, relatively flat hike that takes just about 3-4 minutes. Due to the small area for staging chairs, it's best for weddings with 30 or fewer guests. Through the California State Parks, permit fees vary but average between $400 - $650 (a low-cost Micro Permit may be available through our company for weddings with 10 or fewer people, with no arch/chairs/decor).
Pt. Lobos. We do not host any weddings here (the State Parks sometimes allows them but without any parking passes guaranteed, guest (and our set up team) could have to walk to a wedding location for over 20 minutes. Beautiful place but not the best idea for a wedding.
Toro Park. Monterey County is made up of many different areas - each with its own charm. Toro Park is located off Highway 68, which leads from Monterey out towards the mostly agricultural community of Salinas. Toro Park is one of the prettiest parks of all and offers a variety of areas for a wedding celebration (and the permit fees are quite reasonable). Toro Park is about a 20-minute drive East of downtown Monterey.
We do have a few other parks available, but please contact us for details.