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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
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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 is a hidden gem in Big Sur, famous for its purple sand and Keyhole Arch. Learn how to get there, what to expect, and what to bring on your visit to this stunning beach. Discover the best time to see Keyhole Arch at sunset and the stunning sea stacks and sand formations.
Pfeiffer Beach is a two-mile long beach in Big Sur, CA with a massive rock arch and unique purple sand. It is a California bucket list beach with stunning views of the Pacific and the rocky Pfeiffer Point. You can also find tide pools, cairns, and restrooms at this scenic location.
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- 9100 Sycamore Canyon Rd Big Sur, CA 93920
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Jul 22, 2021 · Pfeiffer Beach is a beautiful unspoiled destination with eye-popping offshore views of stunning sea stacks and rock formations and a violet-hued sand caused by manganese garnet. Learn the best time to visit, things to do, facilities, and how to get there from this comprehensive guide.
- Betsy Malloy
- (831) 385-5434
- Big Sur, CA 93920, USA
Pfeiffer Beach is located in the Big Sur region of California. It is one of the most popular beaches on the Central Coast and is well known for Keyhole Rock, a popular photography subject. On a limited number of days in December and January each year, photographers crowd the beach to obtain pictures of the setting sun visible through the arch.
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- USGS Pfeiffer Point
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Jan 23, 2024 · Pfeiffer Beach is a secluded beach with purple sand, Keyhole Rock, and stunning sunsets. Learn how to access, enjoy, and respect this natural wonder along the Big Sur coastline.
Nov 10, 2021 · Pfeiffer Beach is a stunning purple sand beach in California, located along Highway 1 near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Learn how to get there, when to go, and what to expect from this beautiful beach with stunning rock formations and tide pools.
