State of California Permits

Monterey County has numerous state roads, state parks and beaches, and even Pt. Lobos State Reserve. These properties are permitted via the California Film Commission after discussing the project with local contacts listed.

• California Film Commission
• Phone: 800-858-4749 or 323-860-2960
• Fax: 323-860-2976 or 323-860-2972
• Email: filmca@film.ca.gov
• Address: 7080 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 900, Hollywood, CA 90028
• Website: www.film.ca.gov

Location Library:

• Contact: Brandy Davis, Location Resource Advisor, 800-858-4749 ext. 123, or 323-817-4123
• Email: Brandy.Davis@film.ca.gov

State Roads:

• Contact: Alfonso Casey, Caltrans Permit Coordinator, 800-858-4749 ext. 104, or 323-817-4104
• Email:  Alfonso.Casey@film.ca.gov

California Highway Patrol:

• Contact: Officer Jonathon Dockweiler, CHP Film Liaison, Media Relations Officer, 800-858-4749 ext. 103, or 323-817-4103
• Cell: 213-703-2070
• Fax: 323-817-4113
• Email: JDockweiler@chp.ca.gov

Caltrans:

• Contact: Peter Mututwa, Filming Permits Coordinator, District 5, 805-748-7079
• Email: Peter.Mututwa@dot.ca.gov

Fees: No location fees. $140 hourly review fee for Caltrans (4-hour minimum – $560) and $140 hourly charges, if necessary for rangers. Fees vary based on activity.

Special Requirements:

State Roads: All Caltrans permits are issued through the California Film Commission (CFC). Highway One in Big Sur is a state road (MONTEREY-BIG-SUR-Highway-1-FILMING-GUIDELINES.Rev-10-15-2024). Please note that the County of Monterey restricts film activities that include traffic control on Highway One from Carmel Highlands south into San Luis Obispo County during the summer.  The annual moratorium is in effect between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.

For California Highway Patrol support, contact the CHP Film Media Relations Officer at the CFC.

State Parks (Find a California State Park):

• Contact: Lori Moilov, Permit Coordinator, Northern & Central California State Parks and Buildings/Facilities
• Phone: 800-858-4749 ext. 106, or 323-817-4106
• Email: Lori.Moilov@film.ca.gov

Special Requirements:

State Parks: Contact the local state parks rangers to get initial approval of film activity. The final permit is issued through the California Film Commission State Parks Coordinator, Lori Moilov.

Monterey Area:

Parks including Pt. Lobos State Reserve, Carmel River State Beach and Middle Beach, Garrapata State Park, Monastery Beach, Monterey State Beach, Ft. Ord Dunes State Beach, Marina State Beach, Salinas River State Beach, and Moss Landing State Beach.   Note: Pt. Lobos State Reserve has an annual film production moratorium in effect between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.

• Contact: Fleccia Wilson, Special Events Coordinator
• Phone: 831-624-3407
• Email: fwilson@parks.ca.gov

Asilomar State Beach and Monterey Historic Parks:

• Contact: Eric Abma, State Park Superintendent
• Phone: 831-646-6441
• Email: eric.abma@parks.ca.gov

Big Sur Area:

Parks including Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Pt. Sur State Park, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

• Contact: Melody Hildreth, Special Events, Film Permit Office
• Phone: 831-667-0507
• Email: BigSurFilm@parks.ca.gov

Fees: Varied fees depending on activities, including monitors. For more information go to: https://film.ca.gov/state-permits/permit-monitor-fees/.

For tips on filming in Big Sur: visit Sustainable Moments.

Mile Marker Guide for Hwy. 1 in Big Sur: Mile Markers – Big Sur.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW):

• Contact: Amanda Canepa, Environmental Scientist
• Phone: 831-277-9740
• Email: Amanda.Canepa@wildlife.ca.gov
• Website: www.wildlife.ca.gov

Filming with Aerial Drones:

• Use of UAS from California Film Commission (rev. 7/2021) — View PDF
• California Film Commission UAS Questionnaire (rev. 7/2021) — View PDF
• Website: http://film.ca.gov/state-permits/uas-filming-with-drones/
• Also, please see additional requirements at Coastal Aerial Filming (click here)