Big Sur Beaches

(831) 667-1112 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. Andrew Molera State Park is famous with bird watchers.

GARRAPATA STATE BEACH

(831) 624-4909 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.

Garrapata State Beach Brochure

Mill Creek Picnic Area is a Los Padres National Forest day-use area along the southern Big Sur coastline. Next to the parking lot is a small grassy area with a couple picnic tables and barbecues. Below the parking and picnic areas the beach is made up of large boulders. A cove with a small sandy beach is north from here, but at high tide and during large surf it might not be accessible.

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. Jade Cove is a small section of the Big Sur coastline popular among rock collectors and enthusiasts. A short but steep trail leads down into the cove where cliffs of green rock tower over visitors. Other short trails run along the bluffs where views of the coast and patches of wildflowers can be found. Some people come to jade cove to view the unique green cliff sides and stroll along the bluffs, while others come specifically to hunt for jade. Two different metamorphic rocks are collectively referred to as jade, despite being composed of separate minerals. Nephrite and jadeite are the two rock types referred to as jade, and it wasn't until 1863 that they were actually differentiated from one another because they are so similar in appearance. Several rare types of jade can be found in Big Sur.

(831) 667-1112 No beach access. This state park is 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. It features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail. A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway 1.

Location-Directions: The park is 37 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, and 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur.

The beach at Limekiln State Park sits in the shadow of a tall bridge on Highway 1 in the southern Big Sur area. While the rock and sand beach in this steep creek valley is excellent to visit, the main reason to stop here is to hike the trails. An easy hike of about a half-mile takes you up a trail over three bridges to the tall lime kilns that produced lime for early development in the San Francisco area. A side trail branches off along Limekiln Creek to a stunning hundred-foot waterfall. Other trails in the area invite hikers to explore a grove of huge old redwood trees or venture out to grand ocean views. Bikes and dogs are unfortunately not allowed on the trails.

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 ridge line 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 exhilarating climb.

Pfeiffer Beach is located in the heart of Big Sur and is one of the favorite beachs in all of Big Sur. Pfeiffer Beach is a Day Use Area, no overnight camping. Hours 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM 7 days a week. $12.00 entrance fee.

(831) 624-4909 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. The entrance is located three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.

Sand Dollar Beach is one of the most beautiful and scenic beachs 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 Hwy. 1. Sand Dollar Beach is a Day Use Area, no overnight camping. $10.00 entrance fee per vehicle. Campers staying at Kirk Creek and Plaskett Creek, Ponderosa and Nacimiento Campgrounds still receive FREE DAY USE at Sand Dollar Beach.

Willow Creek Picnic Area and Beach. This rocky Big Sur beach is a favorite for surfers, photographers and anglers. Willow Creek is a Day Use Area, no overnight camping. $10 parking fee.