You may see a few photos from nearby locations here. Many shoots span multiple spots in the same session.
Carmel Meadows Trail
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Where we shoot, on a map
A short coastal-bluff trail connecting Carmel River State Beach to Monastery Beach, winding through coastal scrub and meadowland with constant ocean views.
A short coastal-bluff trail connecting Carmel River State Beach to Monastery Beach, winding through coastal scrub and meadowland with constant ocean views. A favorite stretch for ceremony-plus-portrait sessions that don't want to commit to a single spot. For sessions, the setting works best when there's a clear plan: which light, which path in, what the weather is doing. Chris's note on this location is in the field below — every destination here gets a real, photographer-tested read rather than a glossy travel description.
The lay of the land
Getting here
A few things about Carmel Meadows Trail
Trailhead parking — may require a state-park day-use fee.
Dog-friendly in most areas; leash rules vary by season.
West-facing — chase the golden hour through blue hour, especially clear winter evenings.
Exposed — wind picks up in the afternoon. Bring layers + a hair-tie if it's a coast cliff.
Carmel Meadows Trail also appears as Ribera Beach, or Wedding Rock.