Why 17 Mile Drive Is One of the Best Proposal Locations in Monterey County

When you’re planning a surprise proposal in Monterey, Carmel, or Big Sur, few spots rival the beauty of 17 Mile Drive. This stunning stretch of road winds along the coast through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, offering dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and some of the most iconic coastal landmarks in California.

Whether you’re looking for a private beach, epic ocean views, or windswept cliffs, 17 Mile Drive has it all.

Popular Proposal Spots Along 17 Mile Drive:

• 🏞 The Lone Cypress – The most famous tree on the California coast
• 🌊 Spanish Bay – Peaceful boardwalk and golden hour lighting
• 🪨 Bird Rock & China Rock – Rocky coastal drama + wildlife
• 🐚 Fanshell Beach – Dreamy white sand + turquoise water
• 🌲 Ghost Trees at Pescadero Point – Ethereal and moody vibe

Norint & Anna’s Tearful Yes

Norint and Anna made the trip up from San Diego for their special moment. Norint had everything planned perfectly—down to the exact spot overlooking the ocean. When he got down on one knee, it was quiet except for the waves. It was intimate, emotional, and incredibly moving—he even teared up!

Engagement Photos Along the Coastline

We always encourage couples to take a few moments after the proposal to soak everything in—and then have some fun with portraits! With its variety of scenery, 17 Mile Drive gave us the perfect mix of dramatic cliffs and romantic soft sand.

These photos are perfect not only to celebrate the proposal but also to use for announcements, Save-the-Dates, or just to remember the day forever.

Thinking About Proposing Along 17 Mile Drive?

If you’re planning a proposal in Monterey, Pebble Beach, or Carmel, 17 Mile Drive should absolutely be on your list. It’s easily accessible, private if timed right, and gives you those “California dream” backdrops without hiking for hours.

We help plan, scout, and photograph dozens of proposals every year throughout the Big Sur, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Monterey area. From sunrise beach moments to sunset cliffs, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Plan Your Proposal

Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal on 17 Mile Drive or dreaming up something completely unique, we’re here to help you pull off the moment of a lifetime — and make sure it’s beautifully captured. From photos to films, drone coverage to popping champagne, we offer a variety of custom add-ons to make your proposal as memorable (and fun) as possible. You focus on the “yes,” we’ll take care of everything else.

If you’re ready to start planning your own unforgettable proposal, click here to reach out — we can’t wait to hear your vision and help you make it happen. And when it comes time to plan the wedding, we’d be honored to be there for that too. You can explore our full wedding photography and videography offerings at cobyandalexandra.com — we travel for love stories, wherever they take us.