Hiking

Named for renowned Big Sur pioneer Julia Pfeiffer Burns, this state park is beloved by hikers. Stretching from the Big Sur coastline to nearby 3,000-foot ridges, the park features redwoods, madrone, tan oak, and chaparral.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is also home to one of the most unique and picturesque sights of California's coastline, McWay Falls. A rare fresh waterfall, McWay plummets 80 feet down a granite cliff into a majestic cove and then to the Pacific Ocean. The scenic fall can be viewed from a 0.5-mile walk on Overlook Trail, easily accessible from the park's entrance gate off Highway 1.

From higher elevations, visitors can take in panoramic views of the rugged coastline and Pacific Ocean. It's no wonder visitors rave about Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Location-Directions

Located 37 miles south of Carmel and 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur, the park can be reached by driving for one hour from Carmel Green Lantern Inn, heading south on Highway 1.