Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has an active Guided Hikes, Junior Rangers, and Ranger Cubs programs through the summer months. A series of activities for the whole family. Park day use fees apply for Nature Walks and daytime activities.

Be sure to check out the Calendar of Events for other music, arts, and activities going on in Big Sur. In addition to what is listed on this website, other websites list their own music and calendar of events. So be sure to check around on the web or while you're in Big Sur for entertainment that suits your fancy.

Download our local Big Sur Visitors Guide in Adobe PDF. (2.7Mb)

The State Parks sponsored activities run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Park Day use fees apply for nature walks and activities. Junior Ranger, and Ranger Cubs program and activities.

Saturday, September 3rd
10:00 a.m. JUNIOR RANGERS– Water Ecology (children ages 7-12 only)
Come have some fun discovering the Big Sur River and what makes it so special. Meet Sara for this one-hour program of activities at the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground kiosk.
 
11:30 a.m. Ranger Cubs (ages 6 and under)
Children and parents join us for a half hour of story telling, games and a short walk. Meet Sara at the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground kiosk.
 
7:30 p.m. Night Hike "Creatures of the Night"
Join park interpreter Sara for a peek into the night life of Big Sur. Discover how animals adapt to the dark in this one hour program. Wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight (with a red light if you have one) for this easy half mile walk. Meet at the Pfeiffer Big Sur State park campground kiosk.
 
Sunday, September 4th
10:00 a.m. JUNIOR RANGERS– RECYCLING (children ages 7-12 only)
Come have some fun and find out what you can do to make the earth a better place. Meet park interpreter Sara for one hour of activities at the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground kiosk.
 
11:30 a.m. Ranger Cubs (ages 6 and under)
Children and parents join us for a half hour of story telling, games and a short walk. Meet Sara at the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground kiosk.
 
2:00 p.m. Nature Walk "Discovering Pfeiffer Falls"
Meet Park Interpreter Sara for a moderate hike up the Valley View trail to the base of Pfeiffer Falls. This is a ¾ mile one-way walk to the waterfall ~45 minutes. Meet at the Nature Center.
 
Monday, September 5th
9:00 a.m. Nature Walk: "Big Sur through the Ages"
Discover how natural and cultural forces have shaped the landscape and the people who have lived here. Visit John Pfeiffer's Homestead cabin, see some of the effects of recent fire activity and look for threatened Steelhead Trout.  Wear river shoes if you want to get wet.  Meet Park Interpreter Sara at the green fire gate near Day Use Lot #3.
 
11:30 a.m. Children's Nature Walk: The plants of Big Sur"
Join Sara for an hour of fun games, and a little walking. Discover the many plants of Big Sur and how they grow. All ages welcome, meet at the Campground Kiosk.
 

Ongoing Tours:

Point Sur Lightstation State Historic Park Tours
"Walking Tour into the Past" Volunteer led, three-hour walking tour on paved road. The walk is less than a mile but with a rise in elevation of 300'. Meet along the West Side of Highway 1, ¼ mile north of Pt. Sur Naval facility. Arrive early. Tour size limited.
Tours- Saturday: 10 a.m., 2 p.m.,
Sunday: 10 a.m.,
Wednesday: 10 a.m., 2 p.m.,
Thursday 10 a.m.
Admission Adult:$10.00; Ages 6-17: $5.00; Age 5 and under: free.

Molera Ranch House Museum
Find out what it was like to live in Big Sur 100 years ago? Located at Andrew Molera State Park, the Ranch House is open for visitors Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. when a volunteer is available.

Ernst Ewoldsen Nature Center
Located near the Pfeiffer Falls/Valley View trailhead is open for visitors everyday from 10:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Come discover what lives here!

California Condor Discovery Center
Come learn about the magnificent condors and the reintroduction program run by the Ventana Wildlife Society. The center is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and is located at Andrew Molera State Park.

Thank You for Visiting Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Please be patient as we work to re-open areas of the park after the Basin Complex Fire of 2008 and winter mudflows. Oak Grove and Pfeiffer Falls trails remain closed due to damages. Please stay out of all closed areas and watch for falling rocks and trees in these zones.