Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: Iconic McWay Falls and Big Sur's Coastal Treasures
For waterfall enthusiasts, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park honors the daughter of early European settlers in Big Sur. The Pfeiffer family, originally from France, arrived in the 1880s. In the 1930s, facing developer interest, descendants sold the land to California to preserve it. Today, the Pfeiffer name graces spots like Pfeiffer Beach and this park.
McWay Falls delivers Big Sur's signature postcard view: an 80-foot cascade tumbling from granite cliffs into the Pacific, framed by tree-topped rocks, golden sands, turquoise pools, and crashing waves. Winter trailside benches offer prime whale-watching opportunities.
The 1.3-mile round-trip Waterfall Overlook Trail descends from the parking lot to stunning vistas of McWay Falls, flowing year-round into the ocean. Beach access is unavailable, and venturing beyond fenced cliff areas is prohibited for safety.
Two primitive walk-in campsites perch on a semi-shaded bluff with fire pits and vault toilets (no water). Register first at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, 11 miles north.
Big Sur lacks a formal town, despite map references. 'The Village' near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park clusters lodgings, dining, and shops along Highway 1.
Enter from Highway 1's east side, 8 miles south of Nepenthe restaurant. A $10 parking fee grants same-day access to most Big Sur state parks (except Limekiln). Cash only; no cards or electronic payments. Support California's parks by paying fees—avoid illegal roadside parking amid budget challenges.
Take a magical road trip on California's Highway 1
