Some stories stay with you long after the credits roll. Big Little Lies was one of those for me. Back in 2020, while still living in Florida, I watched the show and was instantly hooked. The story wove itself into my mind with its gripping drama, raw emotion, and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. But it wasn’t just the storyline that captivated me – it was the setting. The fog-draped cliffs, the rhythmic crashing of waves, the sense of something hidden beneath the surface. Monterey Bay felt like a world I wanted to step into.
Fast forward a few years, and life had done its thing – twisting, turning, reshaping everything. I found myself living in California, a reality that still felt surreal at times. One evening, as my fiance Tony and I were searching for something new to watch, I casually mentioned Big Little Lies. “It’s set in Monterey,” I told him. That was all it took. We pressed play, and just like before, one episode turned into another, and another, until the story wrapped itself around us both.
Strangely enough, the show kept coming up in our conversations, like an echo. It tied into things we were feeling, moments we were living. And then, as we sat celebrating our anniversary over dinner, an idea sparked. “Let’s take a trip to Monterey,” I suggested. “But let’s make it a Big Little Lies trip.”
Tony was all in. The next thing I knew, we were researching filming locations, planning our route, and booking a stay at a beachfront resort that promised waves outside our window. We set our trip for January 1st – avoiding the chaos of New Year’s Eve pricing but still riding the high of fresh beginnings.
The Road to Monterey
On New Year’s Eve, we kept things simple. We had an early dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, toasted to the New York Time Square Ball drop at 9 p.m., and tried to get some sleep – but excitement kept us tossing and turning.
The next morning, we hit the road, taking the legendary Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). If you’ve never driven this route before, let me tell you – it’s pure magic. The rugged cliffs drop dramatically into the endless Pacific, waves crashing against the rocks below. The entire drive felt cinematic, like we were stepping into the opening credits of the show.
We stopped for lunch at Half Moon Bay Brewery, near the famous Mavericks Beach. I ordered a lavender lemonade that was so refreshing I had to get a second one to-go. From there, we continued south, taking in the coastal mansions of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the same quaint town that played a backdrop to so many pivotal moments in Big Little Lies.
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company – Half Moon Bay waterfront
Crossing Bixby Creek Bridge – A Big Little Lies Must
Of course, no Big Little Lies pilgrimage would be complete without crossing the Bixby Creek Bridge. The show made this bridge feel like a quiet, solitary place where deep reflections happen. In reality? Not so much. There were plenty of cars and tourists, but that didn’t stop us from fully embracing the moment. We queued up the show’s haunting theme song, Michael Kiwanuka’s “Cold Little Heart,” and let it set the mood as we drove across.
South of the bridge, drawn to the beauty of Big Sur, we found a hidden path leading to a heartbreaking cliffside view. To get there, we had to walk through a dark, unlit tunnel – it felt a little eerie, but the reward was worth it. We reached the cliffside just in time for sunset, the sky painted in hues of deep oranges and purples, waves crashing below us. It felt like a moment suspended in time, something almost otherworldly.
A Stay by the Ocean: Sanctuary Beach Resort
As night fell, we made our way to our home for the trip – Sanctuary Beach Resort. Tucked away along the dunes, it felt like the perfect mix of luxury and seclusion. The moment we arrived, we knew we’d made the right choice. A cozy lobby with complimentary snacks, a friendly staff that felt more like locals than employees, and a private golf cart escort to our beachfront room.
Oh, and the room itself? A fireplace, a sliding glass door leading straight to the sand, and the rhythmic sound of waves as our soundtrack. We wasted no time – fireplace on, prosecco popped, sliding glass door cracked open just enough to let the ocean breeze creep in. We sat wrapped in warmth, listening to the waves whisper secrets to the shore. When we finally braved the cold and stepped onto the porch, the stars above shimmered like an ancient spell cast across the sky.
Monterey Beach Resort | The Sanctuary Beach Resort
The Big Little Lies Tour Begins
The next morning, I worked for a few hours (perks of remote life), setting up my laptop so the waves became my real-life screensaver. Work didn’t feel so bad with the ocean stretching infinitely before me. Once I wrapped up, it was time for the real adventure.
First stop: Monterey Bay Aquarium – a key location from Big Little Lies. Walking through the exhibits, I was struck by how much more fascinating everything is as an adult (at least for me). Maybe it’s because I stopped taking wonder for granted. Jellyfish pulsed like floating galaxies, sea otters played with mischievous glee, and the towering kelp forest swayed like an underwater dreamscape.
From there, we visited Carmel-by-the-Sea’s police station, where many pivotal scenes from the show were filmed. A quick stop, but fun, nonetheless. Then, onto our next exciting adventure – the actual home used for Nicole Kidman’s character Celeste from the show. Hidden behind privacy gates and dense foliage, it wasn’t easy to spot, but just being near it felt surreal. The rain started falling as we stood there, adding a cinematic touch to the moment.
In case you are in the area and want to stop by- the address is 40 Yankee Point Drive, Carmel.
That night, we couldn’t pass up dining at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf. The wharf is lined with seafood restaurants, each more tempting than the last. We picked one recommended by our hotel called Old Fisherman’s Grotto. We enjoyed a delicious meal with a side of humor from our server. As we left, they handed me a single red rose – an unexpected, yet oddly fitting, end to the evening.
Old Fisherman’s Grotto – Old Fisherman’s Grotto
A Storm No One Else Heard?
Back at the resort, we fell asleep to the rain, leaving the sliding door open just enough to listen to the storm outside. But at some point, we were jolted awake. Thunder roared, waves crashed violently against the shore – it sounded like chaos itself had been unleashed.
We both looked at each other, wide-eyed. “Time to close the door,” Tony said.
The storm raged through the night. But here’s where it gets weird – when we checked out the next morning, no one else had heard it. Not the staff, not the other guests. It was as if the storm had existed just for us. A lingering energy, a message from the ocean, or simply a coincidence? I’ll let you decide.
The Final Stop: 17-Mile Drive
Before heading home, we had one last destination: 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, another filming location from Big Little Lies. I originally thought I’d work while we drove, but after just one mile, I shut my laptop. This wasn’t just a drive – it was an experience.
We stopped at every scenic overlook, taking in the iconic Lone Cypress, the sweeping coastline, and the legendary golf courses. The mist rolling in over the cliffs made everything feel suspended in time, like we had stepped into a world just outside of reality.
Scenic 17-Mile Drive in Picturesque Pebble Beach
Reflections on a Dream Lived
Driving home, I had time to reflect. Just a few years ago, I had watched a show set in a world that felt impossibly far from my own. And now? I had lived it.
It’s funny how life shifts. How places, stories, and experiences weave into your soul before you even realize it. Monterey was more than just a trip – it was a reminder that the lines between dreams and reality are often thinner than we think.
So, if Big Little Lies ever left its mark on you, consider making your own pilgrimage. But be warned – Monterey has a way of making you want to stay forever.
LexTalk 
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