Big Sur Beaches
...hard to find, but worth the effort
While Big Sur's beaches hardly resemble the vast stretches of sun-baked sand that dot Southern California's easily-accessible coastline, they offer the visitor a wide variety of recreational possibilities.
Even during the summer, Big Sur's beaches are subject to generally cool weather. Sunny days are sporadic as a blanket of seasonal fog often hugs the coastline, dropping the temperature in the process. To be prepared, bring a change of warm clothes. Also, bring a pair of sturdy shoes. Big Sur's beaches require at least a short hike.
Private property and Big Sur's steep terrain makes most of its coastline inaccessible to the public. Fortunately for the visitor, however, several State Park and U.S. Forest Service beaches are open to the public all year. The following beaches are recommended due to easy access and breath-taking scenery:
Andrew Molera State Park
Located 23 miles south of Carmel, Andrew Molera State Park is the largest state park on the Big Sur Coast. A wide, scenic, mile-long path leads to a sandy beach that is sheltered from the wind by a large bluff to the north. The path itself is as much a delight as the beach, taking you through a meadow filled with wildflowers and sycamore trees, offering fine views of the coastal mountain range to the east. The path parallels the Big Sur River, which enters the sea adjacent to Molera's beach.
Aerial photos of Andrew Molera State Park
Andrew Molera State Park is famous with bird watchers and the Ventana Wildlife Society has their office there. From this office several birding studies of the area are conducted in which the public is invited to participate.
View a bird checklist of the Andrew Molera State Park area (PDF).
Garrapata State Beach
The park has two miles of beach front, with coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to a beautiful view of the Pacific. The park offers diverse coastal vegetation with trails running from ocean beaches into dense redwood groves. The park also features outstanding coastal headlands at Soberanes Point. Sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters frequent the coastal waters and California gray whales pass close by during their yearly migration.
Jade Cove
Jade Cove provides outstanding opportunities for rock-hounding and diving for jade. The beach is a designated hang-glider site. Jade Cove is a day use area. No overnight camping.
Mill Creek
Mill Creek is a Los Padres National Forest Day Use Area with two different beaches. No overnight camping.
Self Pay Station Fees:
$10 day use fee per vehicle
$30 per van
$50 per bus
Partington Cove
Partington Cove holds a special piece of Big Sur history. Much of the tan bark and lumber was shipped out of this cove. There is a tunnel that goes through the ridgeline that opens into a beautiful cove which still has parts of the shipping tools bolted to the rocks. In addition, hiking inland from Partington Cove into Partington Canyon is a great hike! And the Tan Bark Trail is also a great and exhilerating climb.
Pfeiffer Beach
Big Sur's most popular coastal access point, Pfeiffer Beach is hard to find if you've never been to it before. The trick is locating unmarked Sycamore Canyon Road. Here's a tip - Sycamore Canyon Road is the only paved, ungated, and downward oriented road west of Highway 1 between the Big Sur post office and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. You will see a large, yellow cautionary traffic sign at the road's entrance. Once you find the road, follow it for about two miles until it ends. Drive carefully - this is narrow and winding road. It is unsuitable for trailer and large vehicle traffic. There is a small creek crossing near the end that may close access to the beach during inclement weather.
From a large parking area at the end of the road, a short, well-marked path leads to the beach. Cliffs tower above this breathtaking stretch of sand, and a large arch-shaped rock formation just off-shore makes for some dazzling sunsets. Be sure to bring layers as the temperature can change quickly.
Pfeiffer Beach is located in the heart of Big Sur and is one of the favorite beaches in all of Big Sur. Pfeiffer Beach is a Day Use Area, no overnight camping. Hours 9 AM - 8 PM seven days a week.
$15 per car
$30 per van
$50 per bus
Dogs are allowed on Pfeiffer Beach.
Plaskett Creek
From a large parking lot across the Highway 1 from Plaskett Creek Campground, a well-built stairway leads to a crescent-shaped beach that's protected, like Andrew Molera State Park's beach, from the wind by bluffs.
Sand Dollar offers visitors the widest expanse of sand along the Big Sur Coast, and possibly the mildest weather. Standing on the beach and looking northeast, towering 5,155-foot Cone Peak is visible. For an interesting side trip, visit Jade Cove, which is located two miles south of Sand Dollar Beach. Big Sur's south coast is famous for its jade reserves, and Jade Cove is a popular spot for beachcombers and rockhounds.
Point Lobos
Point Lobos contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows. The offshore area forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world popular with divers. Wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters and migrating gray whales (from December to May). Thousands of seabirds also make the reserve their home. Hiking trails follow the shoreline and lead to hidden coves. The area used to be the home of a turn-of -the-century whaling and abalone industry. A small cabin from that era still remains on Whaler's Cove, near Carmel.
Location-Directions
On the central coast of California in Monterey County. The entrance is located three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
Aerial Photographs and Virtual Panoramas available on their website.
Sand Dollar Beach
Sand Dollar Beach is one of the most beautiful and scenic beaches on the Big Sur coast. Sand Dollar Beach is the longest strand of sandy beach along the Big Sur coast. Great surfing, exploring and fishing are here within walking distance of Plaskett Creek campground, located directly across Highway 1.
Sand Dollar Beach is a Day Use Area, no overnight camping.
Hours: 9 AM - 8 PM / 7 days
$10 day use fee per vehicle
$30 per van
$50 per bus
Campers staying at Kirk Creek and Plaskett Creek, Ponderosa and Nacimiento Campgrounds still receive FREE DAY USE at Sand Dollar Beach.
Preserve Big Sur Scenic Beauty For Generations To Come
Big Sur is a special place to many people. To help keep it as pristine as possible and to ensure your own safety, please observe these sustainable practices and follow these rules of the road and basic safety tips.
Public restrooms map.
USA Today readers chose Pfeiffer Beach to be in the Top 10 Beaches in California.
Wondering where all these beachs are in relationship to one another? View a map of the Big Sur Coast.