Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
State Park · Big Sur, California
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park sits on the Big Sur coast of Highway 1 and is best known for McWay Falls, an 80 foot waterfall that drops from a cliff onto a small cove and beach, or into the ocean at high tide. The view takes a short, flat walk on the Waterfall Overlook Trail, which is the main reason most visitors come. The beach below is closed to access, and the cliffs there are unstable. Other trails climb through redwood canyons toward ocean views, and a trail down to Partington Cove leads to an old landing and tunnel - confirm which are open. The park is small, parking is tight and paid, and Highway 1 landslides can cut off access for weeks. There is no cell signal. Expect one hour for the falls, longer for a hike. Whales pass in winter and spring. It suits drivers already on the Big Sur coast who want one famous, easy stop; it is overrated as a full-day destination, since the beach is closed and the main sight takes minutes. Fees and trail status change, so confirm.
52801 CA-1, Big Sur, California, 93920, United States
The park keeps day-use hours, generally from morning until sunset, with the highway open around the clock when Highway 1 itself is passable. The main lot and the Waterfall Overlook Trail are the usual focus, and the lot can fill by late morning in summer and on clear weekends. Trails other than the overlook walk may be closed for storm damage, erosion or landslides for months at a time, so confirm which paths are open before you commit your day. The road along the Big Sur coast closes after heavy rain, sometimes for long stretches in winter and spring, and the park can be reachable only from one direction. Check road status before you leave, because there is no signal to check from the coast.
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