THE WEEKEND · STAY · EXPLORE · RSVP
Matt & Shelly's
Big Sur Wedding
Greetings!
We are getting married at Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur on Saturday, October 2, 2027! We are so excited to bring so many of our favorite people together in this incredible place we call home to eat, drink and be merry. We put together this guide with everything you will need for the weekend, plus a few of the places and things that make Big Sur so special to us. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Photo captured by our dear friend, Kasey Crispin, in Hawaii on our first trip together!
Before You Arrive
Big Sur is like going back in time. It has more in common with 1996 than 2026. Cell service and connectivity can be limited. The roads are winding. Things close early. But don't worry, that's what makes it special, and you are going to love it. Navigating can be confusing, and there are blink-and-you-miss-it turns, so download offline maps before arriving and fill your gas tank in Monterey or Carmel. On the wedding day, we’ll have a shuttle running between Big Sur Lodge and Henry Miller Memorial Library, so there’s no need to drive or worry about parking at the venue. We’ll share the exact shuttle schedule closer to the wedding.
There are a few deli/bodega type stores with basic necessities, including Big Sur Lodge, Fernwood, Taphouse, Ripplewood, and the Village. If you have a room with a kitchenette and would like groceries, we recommend stopping at Safeway at Crossroads in Carmel on your way into Big Sur to pick up anything you need. Bring a cooler if you’re driving and want to stock up! It’s often more affordable than buying alcohol/beer/snacks in Big Sur. Bring layers, comfortable shoes, a reusable water bottle, and a flashlight or headlamp if you have one. It gets chilly at night, and much of the weekend will be on paths, trails and uneven ground, so heels are not recommended. In general, think comfortable, festive, and forest friendly!
Big Sur is an incredibly magical place that we feel lucky to call home, but we also know this is a far journey for some of our loved ones. Please know that we feel oh so loved, and there is no pressure to make the trek - only if it’s a yes in your heart! This guide is meant to help our friends and family create an easeful trip, but also feel free to text us questions. Love you all!
A note about guests: We kept our save the date mailing simple and didn’t list every member of each household. Kids are very welcome, and you’re also welcome to bring a plus one. Come as a family or make it a romantic getaway -whatever feels best to you. Just include everyone joining you when you RSVP so we can plan accordingly. ❤️
A note about the land: Wildfire, storms, river levels and restoration work can affect roads and trails from season to season. Some of these areas are currently recovering from the 2026 fires, and we’ll update this guide as we get closer to the wedding. Please always respect closures, stay on established trails, pack out what you bring and check current conditions before heading out. We recommend purchasing refundable flights or trip insurance just in case.
Photo by the famous Big Mike in Pismo Beach
Photo by Big Sur photographer, Kodiak Greenwood, @kodiakgreenwood
Our first backpacking trip in the backcountry of Big Sur, headed to Sykes!
Photo in Laingsburg, Michigan where Matt's mom, Shirley Hazlett, created this amazing mural!
Photo in Laingsburg, Michigan where Matt's mom, Shirley Hazlett, created this amazing mural!
Photo by Big Sur photographer, Kodiak Greenwood, @kodiakgreenwood
Matt and I with the Horn family in Cayucos- photo & moment captured by Shelly's mom, the Queen!
The Weekend
We don't have all the details yet, but here’s a preview of what we have planned! Times and locations may shift as we get closer, and we’ll keep this page updated as everything comes together.
FRIDAY · OCTOBER 1
Open Mic
Evening · Location TBD
We’ll kick off the weekend with an open mic hosted by Shelly's bestie, Lia! Everyone is invited to share something if they feel inspired. It could be a song, poem, story, performance, or anything else you’d like to bring. Or just come hang out, listen and have a drink with us. More details to come!
SATURDAY · OCTOBER 2
We Get Married! ❤️
Around 4 – 10 p.m. · Henry Miller Memorial Library
We’ll gather under the redwoods at Henry Miller Memorial Library for our ceremony, dinner & dancing.
LATE NIGHT
After Party!
After 10pm · Fernwood Tavern
For anyone who wants to keep the night going, we’ll head down the road to Fernwood for late night live music. Come dance with us until we're ready to call it a night!
SUNDAY · OCTOBER 3
Farewell brunch at the Lodge from 10 a.m. to noon.
More details + exact times to come!
Getting Here
There are not really lyft/uber options in Big Sur, so if you are flying, you would need to rent a car.
Options for flying are:
San Francisco Airport (SFO): 3 hours north of us
San Jose Airport (SJC): 2 hours north of us - Shelly’s favorite airport!
Monterey Airport (MRY): 1 hour north of us - Matt’s favorite airport!
San Luis Obispo (SBP): 2.5 hours south of us if you want to drive up from the South (not a bad way to go)
Accommodations / Lodging
There are several wonderful places to stay throughout Big Sur, and anywhere in Big Sur proper will put you close to us and the wedding festivities. We’re especially excited to have many of you stay with us at Big Sur Lodge, where we’ve reserved the entire property at special rates for our wedding guests. Prefer to stay closer to town? Carmel and Monterey are about a 45 minute drive away and have lots of additional options.
Redwoods / Classic Big Sur Options
Stay With Us at The Big Sur Lodge
This is where we live, and where we’d love to have you stay! Matt has reserved the entire Big Sur Lodge for our wedding guests and secured reduced rates of $99–$149/night, depending on room type. Have friends coming, too? Some rooms accommodate 4+ with 2 beds and a pull-out sofa. Because these are private wedding rates and will not be available to the general public, reservations will need to be made through our wedding booking link below. Big Sur Lodge is located inside Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, with redwoods, a swimming pool, river access, and swimming holes, and it will put you right in the middle of the weekend with us.
Wedding guest rates: $99–$149/night
Average cost/night: $250. Motel-style rooms and forest cabins with an on-site tavern and store. Casual and very close to us - about a 2 minute drive or a 2 mile walk through the woods!
Average cost/night: $350. Riverside location with a relaxed, rustic atmosphere; restaurant and bar on-site.
Average cost/night: $350. Historic, romantic inn with individually decorated rooms; Very popular so books far in advance. It’s very close to our wedding venue, Henry Miller Library, and about a 10 minute drive from our house.
Average cost/night: $350. Historic redwood cabins along the Big Sur River; many with fireplaces, kitchenettes, and river-view decks; café and small store on-site.
Average cost/night: $400-$800. Modern motor lodge rooms and upscale redwood grove cabins/cottages; cozy gas fireplaces and high-end finishes; very popular.
Oceanview / Very Pricey Options
High-end luxury with stunning ocean and forest views. All-inclusive luxury experience. Average cost: $$$$
Award-winning cliffside resort known for its architecture and tranquility. Average cost: $$$$
Glamping / Camping Options
Ventana Glamping
They have luxury glamping that we’ve heard is gorgeous and I think around $200/night.
Pfeiffer State Park Campground
This is the park we live in, so you would be walking distance from our house and the camp sites are next to our regular swimming hole! Book through ReserveCalifornia. We recommend sites 173, 174, 175, 176 and 177.
Also an amazing campground and very close to us.
Fernwood Campground
Big Sur Campground and Cabins
Family-friendly campground under the redwoods on the river; mix of cabins (some with kitchens/fireplaces) and tent sites.
While You're Here
Here are a few of our favorite ways to spend time around here. We’ll also add any live music, events and other fun things happening that weekend as we get closer! If you want the Matt and Shelly cheat sheet -
❤️ Sunset: Nepenthe
❤️ Hike: The Gorge
❤️ Swim: Pfeiffer State Park swimming hole
❤️ Eat: Deetjen’s
❤️ Picnic: Any Highway 1 turnout
❤️ Coffee: The Village
❤️ Ocean view: Alila Restaurant at Ventana
❤️ Relax: Esalen
❤️ Hidden gem: Sykes
❤️ Best date spot: Henry Miller Library (where we fell in love on our 3rd date... and where we’re getting married!)
Henry Miller Library
This is our wedding venue! Writer and artist Henry Miller lived in Big Sur from 1944 to 1962, finding inspiration in its wild landscape and unconventional community. After his death, his close friend turned his redwood home into this beloved nonprofit bookstore and arts center, created to preserve Miller’s legacy and Big Sur’s creative spirit.
Pfeiffer Park Swimming
If you’re staying at the Lodge, exploring the State Park is amazing & easy! Just past the Lodge is a beautiful & accessible swimming hole. If you want an adventure, keep heading upriver into the River Gorge. You’ll rock hop, scramble & swim your way between boulders and through pools. Wear water shoes and clothes you're ok getting wet!
Sunset at Nepenthe
Grab a drink, find a spot on the terrace and watch the amazing sunset over the Pacific coast. Nepenthe has been part of Big Sur since 1949 and has long been a gathering place for artists, writers, travelers and local characters. The views are well worth the stop and Shelly usually gets an Elderflower Sparkler and fries!
Point Sur Lighthouse
Explore a preserved 1889 lighthouse and former keeper's village on a walking tour atop a volcanic rock overlooking the Pacific. Tours are approximately 3 hours and $20 per adult. Visit pointsur.org to book.
Dine at Deetjen's
One of the most magical places that feels like stepping back in time. Their cozy restaurant has candlelit rooms filled with fireplaces and flowers. Come for breakfast, brunch or dinner and then wander around the gorgeous grounds.
The Village Yoga & Coffee
This is a very cute riverside coffee shop with delicious pastries, snacks and a garden. They offer yoga every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning at 9:30am. and it's also where the delicious restaurant Solstice is.
Pfeiffer Beach
This beach is known for its rock formations, purple sand and wild coastline. It’s especially nice around sunset when the light shines through Keyhole Arch. It can be VERY windy!
Be merry at Fernwood
One of our favorite places for relaxed dinner & live music! Fernwood has a gorgeous back deck under the redwoods that’s perfect for a drink and hanging out. We will be dancing here Sat night!
Just relax!
The Big Sur Chamber itself lists “Do Nothing” as one of the quintessential things to do here - find a sunny patch by the river, sit under the redwoods, watch the fog move, read, nap. Relax!
Hikes & Wild Places
Hikes We Love
Pfeiffer Falls & Valley View
2 Miles · Moderate
Ewoldsen Trail
Our backyard hike through the redwoods to a waterfall and beautiful views over the Big Sur River Valley.
4.5 Miles · Strenuous
Located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, this loop offers redwoods and panoramic ocean views.
Andrew Molera Loop
8 Miles · Moderate
Big Sur River Gorge
A diverse hike featuring bluffs, beaches, and meadows. Perfect for a full day of coastal exploration. There's also a 2 mile easier route to the beach and back.
Adventure · Get wet!
One of our favorites. Follow the river upstream, rock-hopping, wading and swimming between giant boulders. Bring water shoes and only go when river conditions are safe.
Buzzard’s Roost
3 Miles · Moderate
Partington Cove
A steep climb from the redwoods to big views of the ocean, mountains and Big Sur River Valley.
1 Mile · Easy
A descent through a historic tunnel to a secluded, rocky cove. One of the most unique spots on the coast.
For the Adventurous: Sykes
One of our favorite Big Sur adventures: an overnight trek deep (20 miles roundtrip) into the Ventana Wilderness through redwoods and along the Big Sur River to Sykes Camp and its natural hot springs. If conditions allow and you want to make a trip of it, we’d be happy to lend you some of our backpacking gear and share our tips! Because Big Sur is wild and conditions change, please check current trail and fire closures before heading out.
Beautiful Big Sur Without a Big Hike
- Pfeiffer Beach: Keyhole Rock, purple sand & sunset
- McWay Falls: Iconic coastal waterfall overlook
- Big Sur River Inn: Adirondack chairs with your feet in the river
- Point Sur Lighthouse: Historic lighthouse tours
- Nature Center: A sweet stop right inside Pfeiffer State Park
- Highway 1 Overlooks: Pull over safely and take it all in
- Garrapata: Rugged cliffs, coast and beaches on your drive in
- Sand Dollar Beach: A huge beach farther south
- Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for condors, whales and sea otters or sign up for a whale watching tour!
Eat & Drink
Casual & Easy
The best (and pretty much only!) places to eat in Big Sur
Big Sur Lodge: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and grab-and-go right at the Lodge. The easiest option when you don’t feel like getting back in the car.
Ripplewood Café: Cozy, old-school Big Sur café under the redwoods with great breakfast and lunch. A local favorite since 1925.
Big Sur Deli: No frills local market and deli for sandwiches, snacks and picnic supplies to take on an adventure.
Big Sur River Inn: Breakfast, lunch and dinner in a classic riverside setting. Take your food down to the lawn and eat with your feet in the river from an Adirondack chair.
Fernwood Tavern: Casual food and drinks under the redwoods with a great back deck.
Big Sur Taphouse: Pub food, local beer and a laid-back atmosphere. A great easy dinner and one of the locals’ favorite hangout spots.
Big Sur Bodega at The Village: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches and light bites in a beautiful garden setting.
Café Kevah: Breakfast and lunch on the terrace below Nepenthe with incredible views of the Pacific.
Classic Big Sur
Nepenthe: An iconic Big Sur institution overlooking the ocean. Go for the views, drinks and classic California food, especially around sunset.
Deetjen’s: One of the most charming places in Big Sur for breakfast or dinner, served in tiny, candlelit rooms inside a historic redwood inn. It feels like stepping back in time. Ideal to make reservations for dinner here or get in early if you're going for breakfast!
Something Special
Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn: Fine dining high above the Pacific with some of the most spectacular views in Big Sur. Open to the public for lunch and dinner; reservations required to go here so def plan ahead!
The Sur House at Ventana: Beautiful upscale dining overlooking the ocean and redwoods. Great for a special dinner, brunch or sunset drinks. This place is SO gorgeous, highly recommended!
Solstice at The Village: A beautiful dinner spot serving seasonal California food cooked over a wood-burning hearth, with local produce and Monterey Bay seafood. We love coming here for a special night out and starting with a cocktail at the fun cocktail bar!
Rest & Relax
Our favorite places to slow down, soak, and unwind.
Refuge
Carmel Valley · About an hour away
Spa Alila at Ventana
A serene, adults-only outdoor relaxation spa in Carmel Valley with hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms and a quiet atmosphere (there's no talking allowed). Do the full thermal cycle and give yourself a few hours to completely unplug. Reservations required. Refuge currently requires guests to be 18+ and centers the experience around its silent thermal circuit.
Big Sur · Just down the road
Esalen Institute
A beautiful Big Sur spa right down the road from us offering massages and restorative treatments with a beautiful pool, hot tubs and a japanese onsen. A lovely option if you want a luxurious afternoon without going far. Limited day passes are available with advance reservations.
Big Sur · About 20 minutes south
One of our absolute favorite places in Big Sur. It sits right on the cliffs above the Pacific, with natural hot springs, beautiful grounds and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. You can visit by staying overnight, attending a workshop, booking a Healing Arts Day Pass (massage) or volunteering for a shift. Just plan ahead, since casual drop-ins aren't available.
Wine Country & Carmel
Carmel Valley Wine Country
About an hour north of Big Sur and inland from the coast, Carmel Valley has a more traditional wine country experience. It’s warmer and sunnier than the coast, and you can either visit a vineyard or head to Carmel Valley Village, where lots of tasting rooms are within walking distance. Some options include Folktale Winery & Vineyards, Bernardus Winery, Cowgirl Winery, I. Brand & Family, and Corral Wine Co. If wine isn't your thing, hike at Garland Ranch, visit the Earthbound Farm Stand, or spend a few hours at Refuge for its outdoor hot/cold thermal circuit. Carmel Valley is particularly good for sunny patios and farm-to-table meals.
Most of this guide is all about Big Sur, but if you have an extra day or want to explore a little farther north, Carmel Valley and Carmel-by-the-Sea are two options! Both are great stops on your way into or out of Big Sur if you’re into wine tasting and town bopping.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
If you’d rather combine wine tasting with exploring the coast, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, walkable beach town about 45 minutes north of Big Sur. Tasting rooms are scattered throughout downtown, so you can park once and wander between wine tasting, shops, art galleries, courtyards, restaurants and Carmel Beach. Some tasting options include Talbott Vineyards and Caraccioli Cellars, especially if you love sparkling wine. Our favorite thing to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea is bring a frisbee down to the beach and catch an amazing sunset with the whole town!
Join the Celebration
We would be so honored to have you join us for our wedding celebration! Kids are very welcome, and we’ll have some fun activities planned for them. That said, if you’d rather make it a romantic Big Sur getaway and come without the kiddos, we fully support that too! ❤️