Big sur waterfall on beach11/15/2023 ![]() ![]() A fence along the trail prevents people from going into an area that has been affected by erosion. Safety is important when photographing McWay Falls. More information can be found at: or by calling (831) 667-1112. ![]() Also, because there are some steps that lead to the trail, it is not wheelchair accessible. Some logistical items worth mentioning are that the area is a drone free zone and dogs are not allowed beyond the parking area. The California State Parks Golden Bear pass is also accepted. To access the park there is a $10 entry fee per vehicle but there are discounts for seniors, veterans, and disabled persons. The better choice is to go into the state park parking lot and take a short, quarter mile walk from the parking area down a short staircase, then along a well maintained and easy to navigate trail. You can view and photograph the waterfall from the side of the road along the highway but there can be some obstruction from this vantage point. Some people say that over time, the action of the surf may cause the beach to erode back to its pre-landslide condition, when there was no beach and the falls poured directly into the ocean all the time. 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. Garrapata State Beach - Wide sandy beach accessible by stairs or short trails.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. ![]() Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Old growth redwood groves and some hiking - check the condition of trails online - some are still closed from a fire a couple years agoĪndrew Molera State Park - A few different hiking trails of varying difficulty and lengths, hike to a couple cool beaches. Pfeiffer Beach - Pretty beach with some purple-ish sand and cool rock formations just off shore McWay Falls - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State park - short walk to an overlook to see the falls Limekiln State Park - a few easy trails through a 2nd growth redwood forest, also some beach access Sand Dollar Beach - nice sandy beach, short, but steep trail to the beach The drive itself will take about 3 hours. if you are visiting Hearst Castle and then driving up to Carmel the first day, try to get the first tour of Hearst Castle in the morning so that you'll have the whole afternoon for the drive. And then there are plenty of places to stop along the way, depending on what you like to do and how much time you have. Answer: A big part of the draw of Big Sur is the scenery, of course, so just driving through and looking at the view is great. ![]()
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