Pfeiffer Beach, California
About midway between Santa Barbara and San Francisco, California's coastal mountains meet the sea in a 90-mile stretch of rugged coastline known as Big Sur.
The Pacific Coast Highway cuts a scenic path through this sparsely populated region, offering access to a number of splendid wilderness beaches. Pfeiffer Beach, a day-use area within the vast Los Padres National Forest, is among the most appealing. Visitors can expect a picturesque curve of gray sand flanked by precipitous bluffs, with waves crashing against weathered rock formations offshore.
The greatest difficulty in getting to Pfeiffer Beach is finding the unmarked entrance to Sycamore Canyon Road, a narrow paved lane that leads from the highway to the beach parking lot. Look for the turn-off south of Andrew Molera State Park, about a quarter-mile south of the Big Sur Ranger Station. Follow the road about 2 miles to the end, using turnouts to make way for oncoming traffic. Bring your own provisions and come prepared for chilly winds and frigid waters, even during the warmest months.
Information
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, 831-667-2100
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