McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Big Sur's waterfall on the beach

⏱ 1-2 hours👤 All ages$

Most waterfalls end in a pool; McWay is a tidefall, one of the few in California that drops directly onto a beach and lets the ocean meet it. The stream flows through the canyon above the cove, runs over a bluff and falls roughly 80 feet to the sand, where the surf reaches the creek at high tide. The cove's water glows an unreal turquoise on bright days, and the flat granite headlands on either side make the scene feel staged. The beach itself is closed to visitors, to protect the cove and for safety, so the overlook trail is how you see it.

The Waterfall Overlook Trail is a short, easy walk, and the park notes that the trail to the overlook is currently reached from the park's north entrance. Allow thirty minutes to an hour including the photos. Beyond the falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has other short trails among redwoods and along the bluffs, and the cliffs above the ocean carry whale-watching potential in the right seasons. Sunset photographers favor the overlook in clear weather, though the evening fog often rolls in. The park is named for a local pioneer, and its coast has been protected as a state park for decades.

Practicals: the park is on Highway 1 about 37 miles south of Carmel, a little over an hour of driving from Monterey on a good day, and the road is part of the experience. Highway 1 through Big Sur is subject to closures from slides, storms and fire, so check Caltrans conditions before you set out and have a backup plan. Parking at the park is limited and may fill on busy days; a day-use fee applies, so check the State Parks page for current information. Stay on the trail and behind the fences: the bluffs are unstable. Fit: everyone, from couples and photographers to families; it is accessible to most walkers. It pairs naturally with Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Bixby Bridge and a meal on the coast.