Where Is Big Little Lies Set: Discovering The Show's Stunning Backdrop

Have you ever watched a television show and felt like the setting was almost a character itself? That's exactly how many people feel about the acclaimed series, Big Little Lies. The show's visual appeal is just incredible, pulling you right into its world. It really makes you wonder about the beautiful places shown on screen, doesn't it? The coastal views, the grand homes, the sheer feeling of the place really stick with you, so you might be curious about where all of this unfolds.

The show's scenery plays a big part in its mood, you know? It helps tell the story, setting the stage for all the drama and secrets that come to light. The sweeping ocean views and quiet, picturesque towns create a strong contrast with the intense lives of the people who live there. It's almost like the calm outside hides a lot of inner turmoil, which is pretty interesting, if you think about it.

So, where exactly is Big Little Lies set? Well, the series takes place in the charming, yet somewhat mysterious, town of Monterey, California. This location is pretty central to the show's identity, giving it that distinct atmosphere. Today, we're going to take a closer look at this famous spot and see what makes it so special for the show, and what you might find there in real life, too.

Table of Contents

• The Heart of the Story: Monterey, California
• The Iconic Bixby Bridge
• The Beaches Where Secrets Unfold
  • Garrapata State Park Beach
  • Del Monte Beach
• The Homes of Monterey and Their Residents
  • Celeste's Peaceful, Yet Troubled, Sanctuary
  • Madeline's Lively and Stylish Abode
  • Renata's Grand Statement
  • Jane's Simple and Sweet Place
• Real Places and Filming Locations
• Why Monterey Was the Perfect Choice
• Visiting the Big Little Lies Locations
• People Also Ask About the Setting

The Heart of the Story: Monterey, California

The main setting for Big Little Lies is the lovely coastal city of Monterey, California. This place, with its dramatic coastline and cool ocean air, really helps shape the show's mood. It's a spot that looks calm and beautiful on the surface, but there's a certain intensity that just kind of hangs in the air, you know? The show uses this feeling to its full advantage, creating a powerful contrast with the hidden troubles of the characters.

Monterey itself is a real place, a very historic city on California's Central Coast. It's known for its stunning natural beauty, including the famous Monterey Bay. The show does a great job of showing off these real-life features, making the setting feel very authentic. You can almost feel the ocean breeze coming through your screen, which is pretty cool.

The show does take some creative liberties, of course. While the story is set in Monterey, not every scene was actually filmed right there. Some scenes were shot in other nearby coastal towns that share a similar look and feel, like Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea. This helps to create a consistent visual style for the series, making it seem like one big, beautiful place.

The Iconic Bixby Bridge

One of the most recognizable sights in Big Little Lies is, without a doubt, the Bixby Bridge. This bridge appears in the opening credits and many times throughout the series, usually when the characters are driving. It's a truly stunning piece of architecture, arching high above a deep canyon with the Pacific Ocean stretching out beyond it. It is just so visually striking, isn't it?

The Bixby Bridge is located on the famous Highway 1, south of Monterey. Its appearance in the show helps set the tone, giving a sense of grandeur and a little bit of mystery to the whole production. It's almost like a symbol of the beauty and the sometimes dangerous edge of the coastal life depicted in the series. You can really feel the vastness of the place when you see it.

For many fans, seeing the Bixby Bridge immediately brings to mind the show's themes of secrets and the vastness of the ocean. It's a powerful visual, and it really grounds the series in a specific, very real part of California. It's a landmark that perfectly captures the feeling the show wants to give you, like your breath is being taken away.

The Beaches Where Secrets Unfold

The beaches in Big Little Lies are more than just pretty backdrops; they are places where important moments happen, and where characters often go to think or to meet. The sound of the waves and the wide-open spaces add a lot to the show's emotional depth. You often see the main characters walking or running along the sand, which is pretty significant.

The ocean is a constant presence in the series, almost like a silent observer of all the drama. It represents both freedom and danger, a place where characters can find peace or confront their fears. The way the light hits the water, or the fog rolls in, really makes the scenes feel very powerful, so it is quite effective.

Garrapata State Park Beach

One of the main beaches used for filming is Garrapata State Park Beach, which is south of Carmel. This beach is known for its rugged beauty, with dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, and often a misty atmosphere. It's a very wild and untamed kind of place, which really suits the show's intense moments.

Many of the scenes where the women gather, or where significant events take place, were filmed here. The feeling of isolation and the raw power of nature at Garrapata Beach certainly add to the show's dark undertones. It's a spot that feels both beautiful and a little bit foreboding, which is just right for the story.

The wide expanses of sand and the strong ocean currents at Garrapata create a sense of vastness. It's a place where characters can feel small against the natural world, which helps to emphasize their personal struggles. The sheer scale of it all is pretty impressive, and you can see why they chose it.

Del Monte Beach

Another beach that features in the series is Del Monte Beach, located closer to the heart of Monterey. This beach is a bit more accessible and has a different feel than Garrapata. It's a place where people might actually go for a casual stroll or a jog, which makes it feel a bit more everyday, you know?

While Garrapata often serves as the setting for more dramatic, solitary moments, Del Monte Beach might be where characters have more casual interactions. Its proximity to the town gives it a slightly different vibe, a bit less wild, more integrated into daily life. It's a nice contrast, actually.

The varied beach settings really show the different facets of coastal life in the show. From the dramatic, windswept cliffs to the more gentle shores, the beaches truly become part of the narrative. They help to create a rich visual experience that supports the story, so it works really well.

The Homes of Monterey and Their Residents

The houses in Big Little Lies are almost as famous as the characters themselves. Each home tells a story about its owner, reflecting their personality, their wealth, and their secrets. These houses are mostly located in different parts of California, but they are all meant to look like they are in Monterey. It's quite a clever bit of staging, actually.

The architecture ranges from grand, oceanfront estates to more modest, comfortable dwellings. This variety really helps to show the different social levels and aspirations of the characters. You can tell a lot about someone just by seeing their house in the show, which is pretty interesting.

Celeste's Peaceful, Yet Troubled, Sanctuary

Celeste Wright's stunning oceanfront home is probably the most iconic house in the series. It's a truly beautiful place, with huge windows looking out over the Pacific Ocean. This house, in real life, is located in Malibu, California, far from Monterey. It's a very luxurious property, and it definitely looks the part.

The house's open design and incredible views are meant to suggest a life of peace and tranquility. Yet, within its walls, Celeste experiences a very difficult and painful reality. The contrast between the outward beauty of the home and the hidden struggles within is a very powerful visual metaphor in the show. It's almost heartbreaking, in a way.

This home, with its clean lines and expansive spaces, really highlights Celeste's isolation and her attempts to keep her troubles private. The way the light fills the rooms, or the sound of the waves, sometimes seems to mock the unhappiness inside. It's a really strong example of how setting can deepen a story, you know?

Madeline's Lively and Stylish Abode

Madeline Martha Mackenzie's house is another memorable setting. Her home, which is a lovely, traditional-style house, actually sits in Pasadena, California. It has a charming, lived-in feel, reflecting Madeline's active and sometimes chaotic life. It is pretty much what you'd expect for her character.

The house is full of bright colors and personal touches, showing Madeline's vibrant personality and her desire for things to be just so. It feels like a place where family life happens, with all its ups and downs. The way the rooms are arranged really suits her busy schedule, which is pretty neat.

This home serves as a central gathering spot for the group of friends, often hosting their discussions and disagreements. It feels warm and inviting, but also a bit cluttered, which matches Madeline's tendency to get involved in everyone's business. It really captures her essence, so it's a good choice.

Renata's Grand Statement

Renata Klein, the high-powered businesswoman, lives in a truly grand and modern mansion. This impressive house is also located in Malibu, California, offering spectacular views. It's a very sleek and sophisticated property, designed to show off wealth and success. It definitely makes a statement, you know?

Renata's home feels a bit more formal and perhaps less cozy than the others, reflecting her ambition and her somewhat guarded nature. The clean lines and expensive furnishings speak to her desire for control and perfection. It's a place that screams "I've made it," which is pretty much Renata.

The house often serves as a backdrop for Renata's moments of frustration and her attempts to protect her family's image. Its sheer size and modern design underscore her powerful position, but also her vulnerability when things go wrong. It's a very fitting place for her character, actually.

Jane's Simple and Sweet Place

Jane Chapman's home is quite different from the others. She lives in a more modest, charming bungalow that reflects her simpler lifestyle and her focus on her son. This house is actually located in Pacific Grove, a town right next to Monterey, which shares a similar coastal feel. It's a very relatable kind of place.

The bungalow feels cozy and a bit bohemian, with a relaxed atmosphere. It's a place where Jane can find comfort and security, away from the more intense social circles of Monterey. The smaller scale of her home highlights her initial outsider status within the group, which is pretty important to her story.

Jane's house represents a sense of new beginnings and a quiet strength. It's a sanctuary for her and Ziggy, a place where they can try to build a normal life despite past traumas. It's a very honest and down-to-earth setting, which really suits her character, so it works well.

Real Places and Filming Locations

While Big Little Lies is set in Monterey, the production team used a mix of real Monterey spots and other California locations to create the show's world. This is a common practice in television and film, allowing creators to get the perfect look for each scene. It's a bit of movie magic, really.

For instance, the elementary school attended by the children, Otter Bay Elementary, is actually a real school in Pasadena, California. The interiors and exteriors were used to create the school environment. This kind of detail helps to make the fictional world feel very solid and believable, you know?

The coffee shop where the women often meet, "Blue Blues," is also a fictional place created for the show. While there are many lovely cafes in Monterey, this specific spot was built on a soundstage or adapted from an existing location to fit the show's needs. It's almost like they made their own little world there.

Many of the driving scenes along the coast were genuinely filmed on Highway 1 in the Monterey and Big Sur areas. This means that while some specific buildings might be elsewhere, the feeling of driving along that stunning coastline is very much authentic. It's pretty cool to think about.

The show really goes to great lengths to capture the essence of the Monterey Peninsula, even if it means filming in various places to get the right shot. This commitment to visual storytelling helps immerse viewers completely in the world of Big Little Lies. It is just so well done, actually.

Why Monterey Was the Perfect Choice

Monterey was an absolutely perfect choice for the setting of Big Little Lies for several good reasons. Its natural beauty provides a stunning, almost idyllic backdrop. This beauty creates a powerful contrast with the dark and complex issues the characters face, which makes the drama even more impactful. It's a very clever way to tell a story, you know?

The city has a certain feeling of being a close-knit community, which is essential for the show's plot. In a smaller, seemingly perfect town, secrets can be harder to keep. Everyone knows everyone, or at least they think they do, which adds to the tension and the sense of hidden lives. It's almost like a pressure cooker, in a way.

The coastal environment itself plays a big role. The vastness of the ocean can symbolize freedom, but also isolation. The constant presence of the waves can be soothing or menacing, reflecting the emotional states of the characters. It's a very dynamic setting, which is pretty interesting.

Monterey also has a reputation for being a relatively affluent area, which fits the show's depiction of privileged lives. This allows for the exploration of themes related to wealth, status, and the pressures that come with them. It really adds another layer to the story, doesn't it?

The combination of breathtaking scenery, a tight-knit community feel, and an undercurrent of tension makes Monterey an ideal stage for the show's intricate storyline. It helps to make the series feel very real and very immediate, so it's a very strong choice for the setting.

Visiting the Big Little Lies Locations

If you're a fan of Big Little Lies and you're thinking about visiting Monterey, you're in for a treat. The area is truly beautiful, and while you might not be able to tour the exact interiors of the "homes" from the show, you can certainly experience the stunning natural scenery that made the series so visually compelling. It's a wonderful place to explore, actually.

You can drive along Highway 1 and cross the famous Bixby Bridge, just like the characters do in the opening credits. The views from the bridge are absolutely spectacular, offering amazing photo opportunities. It's a very memorable experience, you know?

Exploring the beaches, like Garrapata State Park Beach, can give you a real sense of the show's atmosphere. Just be mindful of safety, as some areas have strong currents and uneven terrain. Walking along the shore, you can almost imagine the characters having their intense conversations there. Learn more about Monterey's attractions on our site.

While the specific coffee shop "Blue Blues" doesn't exist, Monterey has many charming cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee. You can also visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is a real and very popular attraction in the city. It's a great way to experience the local vibe, which is pretty nice.

Remember that many of the specific houses were filmed in other parts of California for privacy and logistical reasons. However, simply being in Monterey and experiencing its unique blend of natural beauty and small-town charm will connect you to the spirit of Big Little Lies. You can really feel the show's essence there, so it's definitely worth a trip. You might also want to check out our guide to California's best coastal drives for more ideas.

People Also Ask About the Setting

Is Big Little Lies a Real Place?

The fictional town of Monterey, California, where Big Little Lies is set, is indeed a real city. Monterey is a beautiful coastal community on California's Central Coast. While the show uses the real city's name and some of its genuine landmarks, some specific locations like the houses or the school were actually filmed in other parts of California to create the show's world. So, the setting is a mix of real and carefully chosen locations, which is pretty common for TV productions, you know?

Where is the Big Little Lies House?

There isn't just one "Big Little Lies house" since the show features several prominent homes for its main characters. For example, Celeste Wright's stunning oceanfront home is actually a private residence located in Malibu, California. Madeline Martha Mackenzie's house is in Pasadena, and Renata Klein's grand mansion is also in Malibu. These homes were chosen for their visual appeal and how they fit the characters, not necessarily for their proximity to Monterey. They look like they could be in Monterey, though, which is pretty cool.

Can you visit the Big Little Lies Beach?

Yes, you can visit some of the beaches that were featured in Big Little Lies. A significant amount of filming took place at Garrapata State Park Beach, which is located south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, near Monterey. This beach is known for its rugged and dramatic scenery, making it a very striking location. You can also visit other public beaches in the Monterey area, like Del Monte Beach, which also appeared in the series. They are public spaces, so you can definitely go and enjoy the views, which is pretty nice.