The wave surge and tides moved some of the landslide material to the base of the falls, forming the sandy beach area that is there today. It took about a year to repair the road and reopen the highway. These mudflows fell into the ocean, north of the park, and closed Highway 1. In 1983 record rainfall pounded the Big Sur area causing several landslides and mudflows. The beach area at McWay Falls has not always been there. During the spring and winter months more water runs through the creek, creating a more prominent waterfall, making for a more striking photograph. The waterfall is fed by McWay Creek, which runs all year long. At lower tides the gorgeous white sandy beach is revealed and it is an astonishing sight! It’s truly beautiful to see the waterfall stream first onto the beach, then find its way to the Pacific Ocean with the turquoise water in the cove as it pushes white waves onto the clean sandy beach. Because of this trajectory, it is considered to be a tidefall. It is an inspiring sight that attracts photographers and nature enthusiasts from all over the country.ĭuring high tide, McWay Falls pours directly into the ocean. The waterfall cascades down an amazing 80-foot cliff to its final destination, the Pacific Ocean. McWay Falls is a breathtaking waterfall located in the Big Sur area. Special-use permits allow experienced scuba divers to explore the reserve.In this issue we continue south on Highway 1 to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, 37 miles south of Carmel at mile marker 35.8. The rocky shoreline is the access to the underwater Park. In March and April, they can be seen returning north to their summer feeding grounds in the North Pacific.īetween Partington Point and McWay Creek is the Julia Pfeiffer Burns Underwater Area, which was established in 1970 and is now a Scuba diving area. Many whales pass close to shore at this point, and occasionally one will come into the mouth of the cove. Whale Watching - in December and January the bench at the end of Overlook trail is an excellent place to watch for gray whales migrating southward to their breeding and calving grounds off the Baja California coast. It features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail.Ī panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway 1. Named after Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a well respected pioneer woman in the Big Sur country, the Park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into nearby 3,000-foot ridges.
#Big sur waterfall onto beach series#
A series of activities for the whole family. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has an active Guided Hikes, Campfire Program, Junior Rangers, and Ranger Cubs programs through the summer months. USFS Pfeiffer Beach - directions: Travel 1.5 miles south on Highway 1, take 2nd right after the Ranger Station at single lane road. A loop trail starting in the redwood Forest by McWay Creek and climbing to incredible coastal views. A quick walk to an overlook facing McWay Falls, an incredible 80-foot waterfall that drops directly onto the sandy beach.Įwoldsen Trail: 4.5 miles roundtrip, moderate to strenuous. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a few miles south of Fernwood but worth the drive to see the beautiful McWay Waterfall and to enjoy the Ewoldsen trail. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California, United States
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