Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
🌊 Trusted Guide to Big Sur’s Iconic Waterfall – Updated 2025
Where a Waterfall Meets the Pacific
On California’s legendary Big Sur coast, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park protects 3,762 acres from rocky shoreline to the heart of the Santa Lucia Mountains — but its global fame rests on a single breathtaking sight: McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that cascades over granite cliffs directly onto a pristine beach or into the turquoise Pacific, depending on the tide. One of only two coastal waterfalls in California, McWay Falls is among the most photographed natural landmarks on the West Coast. Yet this park offers far more than its famous waterfall — ancient redwood groves, rugged coastal trails, a 1,680-acre underwater marine reserve, and the raw, untamed beauty that defines Big Sur.
McWay Falls
The McWay Falls Overlook Trail (0.6 miles round trip, wheelchair accessible when open) delivers one of California’s most unforgettable views: a ribbon of water plunging 80 feet from a notch in the sea cliffs to the beach below, framed by turquoise water and windswept cypress. The beach itself is not accessible to the public — viewing is from the clifftop overlook only, and trespassing is strictly prohibited to protect this sensitive habitat. Check the park website before visiting, as this trail is occasionally closed for maintenance.
Redwoods & Coastal Trails
Beyond the falls, the park’s trails climb through remarkable landscapes:
- Ewoldsen Trail (~5 miles round trip): Ascends through old-growth redwood canyon into chaparral with stunning pocket views of the Big Sur coast from its western loop
- Partington Cove Trail (0.75-1 mile round trip): Just north of the park entrance, descends through a tunnel carved into rock to a dramatic cove — popular with experienced scuba divers
- Tan Bark Trail & Tin House Fire Road: For more solitude, climbing through mixed forest to the remains of a historic tin house
Underwater Wilderness
The park extends beneath the waves — a 1,680-acre underwater reserve protects kelp forests, sea otters, harbor seals, and diverse marine life. Experienced scuba divers access the reserve from Partington Cove, where underwater visibility can exceed 30 feet and the kelp forest ecosystem rivals any on the Pacific Coast.
Practical Tips
- From Carmel (37 miles): Drive south on Highway 1 — one of the world’s most scenic drives
- Entry fee: $10 per vehicle
- Parking is extremely limited — arrive early (before 10 AM) on weekends, and no vehicles over 22 feet
- No camping within the park — nearby options include Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Limekiln State Park
- Check trail closures before visiting — the McWay Falls trail and Ewoldsen Trail are sometimes closed for repairs
- Highway 1 closures due to landslides can affect access — check Caltrans road conditions before driving Big Sur
- The best McWay Falls photography is in afternoon light when the sun illuminates the cove and waterfall
- This is a day-use only park — plan your visit within the 8 AM to sunset hours
