The Best of Big Sur: Hiking, Camping, Beaches, and Waterfalls

Given Big Sur's draw as a road trip destination, the majority of visitors tend to wing it and drive the 90-mile stretch of California coastline between San Simeon and Carmel, taking in the views through their car window with short stops at popular spots. Yet some of Big Sur's greatest gems are easily missed from the highway. With a bit of planning and additional time, you can experience an entirely different side of Big Sur. In our view, it's simply too much to see and do in one day. The only way to really get to know a place is to spend time there, exploring beyond the pavement.

Sand Dollar Beach

Photo by Aron Bosworth.

Sand Dollar Beach is Big Sur's longest and widest continuous strand of beach, running nearly three-quarters of a mile. This is an ideal spot for beachcombing, lounging, tide pooling, and surfing. Pitch a tent in one of the 40 sites at Plaskett Creek Campground right across the highway from Sand Dollar Beach and be the first to hit the waves with the sunrise. Nearby Willow Creek, Pacific Valley and Mill Creek beaches offer additional beach and ocean access where you may find you have the beach to yourself.

Kirk Creek Campground

Photo by Aron Bosworth.

Just a few miles north from Plaskett Creek Campground you'll find Kirk Creek Campground. This is one of coastal California's most scenic campgrounds, making it difficult to get reservations. Plan ahead and aim for mid-week to make booking a site easier. All the sites here and at Plaskett Creek are available for reservation six months in advance, and there are no sites held for first-come, first-served visitors. For a nice hike with scenic Big Sur coastal views, head across Highway 1 from the campground and head up the Kirk Creek Trail.

Limekiln State Park + Campground

Photo by Denis LeBlanc.

Limekiln State Park provides access to a quieter, less visited side of Big Sur. Compared to Pfeiffer Big Sur and Julia Pfeiffer Burns to the north, Limekiln's ambiance is more local and low-key. Take a walk down Limekiln Trail to escape from the heat and discover the historic limekilns tucked in the redwood forest. Another quiet and peaceful hike takes the Hare Creek Trail.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Photo by Patrick Mueller.

When one first pictures the Big Sur iconic coastline, it's often images of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park that come to mind. Here the Santa Lucia mountains run into the Pacific Ocean, forested canyons fill gaps between exposed dry ridges, and near-shore kelp forests buffer the coves and shoreline. The park is best known for it's main attraction: 80-foot McWay Falls. There are plenty of other gems within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park that most folks miss. A short walk up McWay Creek from the main parking area accesses a network of trails that include the Ewoldsen, Canyon Falls, and Tan Bark Trails. These trails explore redwood-lined canyons and traverse the Santa Lucia mountainsides, offering an elevated perspective on this magnificent landscape.

Partington Cove

Photo by Aron Bosworth.

This inconspicuous cove is situated at the north corner of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 2 miles north of McWay Falls in one of the most dramatic sections of the Big Sur coastline. This trail is often overlooked when driving Highway 1, but it's certainly worth a stop. Follow a 1-mile trail along a creek and through a 60-foot tunnel to a small cove with a big view.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park + Campground

Photo by Aron Bosworth.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is the most centrally located camping area for exploring Big Sur, and it's also the largest of Big Sur's campgrounds, offering nearly 200 sites. The park is home diverse hiking trails, the rustic yet comfortable Big Sur Lodge, and over 3 miles of Big Sur River access, including the swimming holes of the Big Sur River Gorge. Popular trails include Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls, Buzzards Roost, and the nearby Pine Ridge Trail, all of which head up into the Santa Lucia Mountains above the Big Sur River Canyon. The Gorge Trail leads to crystal swimming holes in a narrow gorge roughly a half mile up the Big Sur River, a perfect respite for warm summer days.

Pfeiffer Beach

Photo by Patrick Mueller.

Pfeiffer Beach in the heart of Big Sur is one of the region's most popular beaches, drawing tourists, locals, photographers, and many a Highway-1 road tripper to its scenic coves and famed sea arch rocks. During December and January, when the sun sets at it’s furthest south, sunsets can be captured through the Keyhole Rock. Arrive early if you are attempting to take shots of the keyhole, as the prime photographic real estate can go quickly.

Andrew Molera State Park

Photo by Aron Bosworth.

Andrew Molera State Park is the largest of the state parks within the Big Sur area. With over 20 miles of hiking trails, a scenic and accessible beach, an abundance of wildlife, and the Big Sur River, the park offers something for just about everyone. The main attractions here include Andrew Molera State Beach, the Beach Trail, the 24 walk-in sites at Trail Camp, the Headlands Trail, and the Headlands Trail to Creamery Meadow Loop.

Fall is an amazing time to visit Big Sur in general, but especially Andrew Molera State Park for improved surfing conditions and the monarch butterfly migration. The Headland Trail is a popular stopover for the butterflies.

Bixby Bridge

Photo by Patrick Mueller.

What would a visit to Big Sur be without a photo of Bixby Bridge?!

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Photo by Aron Bosworth.

On the northern edge of Big Sur, located slightly south of Carmel, is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. While often overlooked by road trippers heading south to better known locales in the heart of Big Sur, Point Lobos offers some of the up-close-and-personal marine life viewing in the area. An abundance of wildlife, scenic coves, and pleasant hiking trails makes Point Lobos a highlight of Big Sur that should not be missed in our opinion. Check out the Cypress Grove Trail, which explores one of only two naturally occurring old-growth Monterey Cypress forests remaining in the wild. Other recommended trails include North Shore Trail, Bird Island Trail and the Granite Point + Moss Cove Trails.

With so much to see and explore, plan for a few days of hiking, swimming, beachcombing, and relaxing to fully take in the beauty of this magnificent area.