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Pfeiffer Beach is quintessential Big Sur. It is iconic. It is beautiful. The sand is purple is some spots. It is usually very windy and cold so dress for that and expect that. It is unmarked, but if you travel down Highway 1, it is about 3-5 minutes drive from the Big Sur Lodge.
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- Attraction
- What Can You Expect at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur?
- Essential Facts About Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur
- How to Get to Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, California
- What to Bring on Your Pfeiffer Beach Visit
- Tips For Your Visit to Pfeiffer Beach
Pfeiffer Beach is drop dead gorgeous. Keyhole Arch is visible as soon as you have a full view of the beach, and it is a majestic sight, with its slightly curved top and handsome size. Admiring Keyhole Arch and the other impressive sea stacks is the top thing to do at Pfeiffer Beach! The natural arch sits just off the beach, and you can spend hours ...
First, there are many places in Big Sur with “Pfeiffer” in the name. Super confusing if you aren’t familiar with the region! Pfeiffer Beach has nothing to do with Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park or Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and you will not find the beach if you look for it in either park. Pfeiffer Beach is managed by Los Padres National Forest,...
Finding Pfeiffer Beach is a little tricky, and you will have to focus, to make sure you don’t miss the turn off California Highway 1! Pfeiffer Beach (map) is located at the end of Sycamore Canyon Road, between Big Sur Station in the north and the Big Sur Post Office in the south. This road, located on the west side of California Highway 1, is not s...
Water
Bring adequate drinking water if you plan to spend some time at Pfeiffer Beach. There is no drinking water available at Pfeiffer Beach, and the nearest stores to buy bottled water are a few miles away.
Snacks and Food
There is no food available for purchase at Pfeiffer Beach, but there are places to eat nearby, such as Nepenthe, or Big Sur Bakery. Bring snacks to nosh on, and a picnic meal if you plan to eat here.
Beach Gear
There is no shade at Pfeiffer Beach, so you will need to bring your own. Plus all your usual beach gear: beach chairs or loungers if you plan to stay for a while, or a blanket, and beach towels.
Arrive early for a parking spot
The parking lot at the bottom of Sycamore Canyon Road is small and may get full. While limited parking ensures the beach never feels crowded, it also means that you have to arrive as early as you can to be sure of a spot. If you arrive when the lot is full, you may be asked to wait for a spot to open up, or you may be turned away. There is an overflow parking lot at the top of the road, but walking down (and back up) is not easy. Update: A reader informed us that there is no overflow parking...
arrive late in the day for sunset
If you want to stay for sunset but don’t want to spend all day at Pfeiffer Beach, plan on arriving late-ish in the afternoon. Early afternoon on good weather days is generally the worst time to find parking. During the winter weeks when the Keyhole Arch light phenomenon is happening, you may not find parking at Pfeiffer Beach for sunset viewing unless you arrive early and stay on through the day.
Download or print directions ahead of your visit
Do not expect to have cell phone reception in much of Big Sur. Download and/or print maps and directions before you enter Big Sur. We always have printed directions and maps when we visit Big Sur, just for safety.
Pfeiffer Beach in the Big Sur area is definitely off the beaten path, but well worth the drive. In fact, this one qualifies as a California bucket list beach with one of the most photographed rock arches and unique purple sand (yes you read that right).
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- 9100 Sycamore Canyon Rd Big Sur, CA 93920
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Pfeiffer Beach. Coordinates: 36°14′19″N 121°49′03″W. Pfeiffer Beach is located in the Big Sur region of California. It is one of the most popular beaches on the Central Coast [1] and is well known for Keyhole Rock, a popular photography subject.
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- USGS Pfeiffer Point
Nov 10, 2021 · Pfeiffer Beach is open daily from 9 AM to sunset. Reservations are not required to visit, and there is no camping available at Pfeiffer Beach. There is a $12 fee to access the Pfeiffer Beach day use area and parking lots. Neither the California state park pass or the National Park pass will grant you free access.
Jul 22, 2021 · Pfeiffer Beach. Address. Big Sur, CA93920, USA. Get directions. Phone +1 831-385-5434. Web Visit website. Most famous for its violet-hued sand, Pfeiffer Beach is a beautiful unspoiled destination that is popular with locals and relatively unknown among Big Sur's tourists.
Jan 23, 2024 · January 23, 2024. Nestled along the picturesque Big Sur coastline, Pfeiffer Beach is a hidden gem that captures the essence of California's stunning natural beauty. With its unique purple sand, towering rock formations, and mesmerizing sunsets, this secluded beach offers an unforgettable experience for travelers and locals alike.
