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Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The park is 37 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, and 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur. If you're traveling north
on Highway 1 from San Simeon, you reach Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 10 miles before you reach larger Pfeiffer
Big Sur State Park.
on Highway 1 from San Simeon, you reach Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 10 miles before you reach larger Pfeiffer
Big Sur State Park.
McWay Falls, located within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in
Big Sur, is one of the few waterfalls that empties directly into the
Pacific Ocean. Waterfalls that empty onto the beach or into the
ocean are known as tidefalls. 80-foot-tall McWay Falls is one of
poured directly into the ocean. In 1983, a massive fire, landslide
and highway reconstruction project near the area filled the cove
with enough material to form a sandy beach.
Big Sur, is one of the few waterfalls that empties directly into the
Pacific Ocean. Waterfalls that empty onto the beach or into the
ocean are known as tidefalls. 80-foot-tall McWay Falls is one of
poured directly into the ocean. In 1983, a massive fire, landslide
and highway reconstruction project near the area filled the cove
with enough material to form a sandy beach.
The park entrance and parking lot is on the inland side of the
highway. A short trail leads under Hwy 1, past a Pelton Wheel
exhibit, and ends up at a lookout over the beach, with views of the
Falls and the steep cliffs to the north.
A terrace is all that remains of Waterfall House, the residence of
Lathrop and Helen Hooper Brown. When the Browns began to
acquire their Big Sur acreage in 1924, Mrs. Brown became
acquainted with Julia Pfeiffer Burns, the daughter of a Big Sur
pioneer family. In 1962, Mrs. Brown gave the ranch to the state for
use as a state park dedicated to the memory of Julia Pfeiffer Burns.
highway. A short trail leads under Hwy 1, past a Pelton Wheel
exhibit, and ends up at a lookout over the beach, with views of the
Falls and the steep cliffs to the north.
A terrace is all that remains of Waterfall House, the residence of
Lathrop and Helen Hooper Brown. When the Browns began to
acquire their Big Sur acreage in 1924, Mrs. Brown became
acquainted with Julia Pfeiffer Burns, the daughter of a Big Sur
pioneer family. In 1962, Mrs. Brown gave the ranch to the state for
use as a state park dedicated to the memory of Julia Pfeiffer Burns.
Between Partington Point and McWay Creek is the Julia Pfeiffer Burns Underwater Area, which was established in
1970 and is now a scuba diving area. The rocky shoreline is the access to the underwater park. Special-use
permits allow experienced scuba divers to explore the reserve.
1970 and is now a scuba diving area. The rocky shoreline is the access to the underwater park. Special-use
permits allow experienced scuba divers to explore the reserve.
Camping in this park consists of two "environmental" tent campsites with walk-in access only. Camping
Reservations.
Reservations.
ridges. The 0.2-mile Waterfall Overlook Trail to the falls is by far the
park's most popular trail, but there are plenty of other options here
for those interested in a short scenic hike. There is a lovely redwood
trail beginning at the parking area.
A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is
available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway
1. The Tanbark Trail trailhead is on the east side of Highway One
where it crosses Partington Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
It begins with a gentle ascent beneath towering redwoods along
Partington Creek, eventually climbing higher up on the canyon wall
and passing beneath mixed hardwood forest. It regains redwood
cover at historic Swiss Camp, a beautifully forested glade about 2
miles from the trailhead . Beyond Swiss Camp the trail climbs
gently through mixed forest once again before descending gently for
half a mile to its terminus at the upper end of the fire road leading to
the (Latrop Brown) Tin House, just over 3 miles from the trailhead.
The meadow in front of the Tin House is a delightful spot for a picnic
and basking in the coastal views, and a loop trip can be made by
descending a steep 2 miles down the fire road back to the highway
at a point about a mile's roadside walk from the Tanbark trailhead.
park's most popular trail, but there are plenty of other options here
for those interested in a short scenic hike. There is a lovely redwood
trail beginning at the parking area.
A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is
available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway
1. The Tanbark Trail trailhead is on the east side of Highway One
where it crosses Partington Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
It begins with a gentle ascent beneath towering redwoods along
Partington Creek, eventually climbing higher up on the canyon wall
and passing beneath mixed hardwood forest. It regains redwood
cover at historic Swiss Camp, a beautifully forested glade about 2
miles from the trailhead . Beyond Swiss Camp the trail climbs
gently through mixed forest once again before descending gently for
half a mile to its terminus at the upper end of the fire road leading to
the (Latrop Brown) Tin House, just over 3 miles from the trailhead.
The meadow in front of the Tin House is a delightful spot for a picnic
and basking in the coastal views, and a loop trip can be made by
descending a steep 2 miles down the fire road back to the highway
at a point about a mile's roadside walk from the Tanbark trailhead.
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In December and January, the bench at the end of Overlook trail is an excellent place to watch for gray whales
migrating southward to their breeding and calving grounds off the Baja California coast. Many whales pass close
to shore at this point, and occasionally one will come into the mouth of the cove. In March and April, they can be
seen returning north to their summer feeding grounds in the North Pacific.
Sea otters can sometimes be seen in the cove, and harbor seals and California sea lions are occasional visitors.
migrating southward to their breeding and calving grounds off the Baja California coast. Many whales pass close
to shore at this point, and occasionally one will come into the mouth of the cove. In March and April, they can be
seen returning north to their summer feeding grounds in the North Pacific.
Sea otters can sometimes be seen in the cove, and harbor seals and California sea lions are occasional visitors.
The Ewoldsen Loop in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is perhaps the most diverse and rewarding dayhike in Big
Sur. Along its approximately 4-mile length it offers sweeping coastal views, passes through beautiful oak forests,
wanders along McWay Creek beneath towering redwoods, and at one point passes within a few yards of the
considered moderately strenuous.
Sur. Along its approximately 4-mile length it offers sweeping coastal views, passes through beautiful oak forests,
wanders along McWay Creek beneath towering redwoods, and at one point passes within a few yards of the
considered moderately strenuous.
