Parks & Beaches
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
- 26.4 MILES NORTH
Teaming with flora and fauna from land and sea, Point Lobos is an ideal location for sightseeing. The reserve has hiking trails and is a renowned spot for diving, SCUBA and free diving. The Reserve has often been called “the crown jewel of the State Park System”.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- 7 MILES SOUTH
The peaks of Julia Pfeiffer Burn State Park tower high above the Big Sur River Gorge, where the Big Sur River enters this popular park. The park is also home to the iconic McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that drops into the ocean. Please note there is no beach or ocean access.
Pfeiffer Beach
- 3.7 MILES NORTHWEST
Sycamore Canyon Creek empties into the Pacific and a rocky point protects some of the sand at the cove. The focal point of the beach is Keyhole Rock (seen above) which has an amazing natural arch at the base where salt water, and even the last rays of daylight, can pass through.
Partington Cove
- 7.2 MILES SOUTH
Partington Cove is a remote rocky cove below Partington Point in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Visitors can explore the small, remote inlet and rugged beach that is reached on foot by a 1.1-mile out-and-back dirt trail featuring a wooden bridge and a 60-foot tunnel that opens up onto the hidden cove.
Andrew Molera State Park
- 10.1 MILES NORTH
The largest state park along the Big Sur coast, Andrew Molera State Park is located at the mouth of the Big Sur River. This state park affords stunning coastal views, and with miles of trails, offers hikes for all ability levels. Creamery Meadow to Molera Beach is a two-mile round trip.
Garrapata State Park
- 21.9 MILES NORTH
This park has two miles of beach front, with coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to a beautiful view of the Pacific. Sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters frequent the coastal waters, and California gray whales pass close by during their yearly migration.
Jade Cove
- 31.8 MILES SOUTH
Enjoy a short .4 mile hike along the bluffs ends with a straight-down scramble to the rocky Jade Cove on the southern Big Sur Coast. The cove provides outstanding opportunities for rockhounding, searching for the coveted Big Sur jade and diving for jade. The beach is a designated hang-glider site.
Sand Dollar Beach
- 31.3 MILES SOUTH
Sand Dollar Beach area is a nice crescent beach perfect for a stroll in the sand or an easy hike. There are a limited number of sand beaches in Big Sur, and this one is great for a picnic. Beautiful jade stones and other sea rocks can also be found along the beach.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- 2 MILES SOUTH
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offers miles of Big Sur hiking trails – including a self-guided nature trail – along with waterfalls, redwood groves and wildlife galore. With its natural diversity, glorious landscapes, and peaceful ambiance, visitors have called Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park a “mini Yosemite.”