Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park / McWay Falls

How to Get There

From Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA (37 mi): Take CA-1 south for approximately 37 miles along the scenic Big Sur coast to reach Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Overview

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a state park in California, 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park on California's Pacific coast. A main feature of the park is McWay Falls, which drops over a cliff of 80 feet (24 m) into the Pacific Ocean. The park is also home to 300-foot (90 m) redwoods which are over 2,500 years old. The park is named after Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a respected resident and rancher in the Big Sur region in the early 20th century, who lived in the area for much of her life until her death in 1928. The 3,762-acre (1,522 ha) park was established in 1962.

Recreation

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has two environmental hike-in camping areas. Both sites have exceptional views of the Pacific Coast, but access is restricted to those with camping reservations.

There are two ways to hike to the Tin House. The Tanbark Trail, located on the south side of the highway bridge, is a 7 miles (11 km) round trip hike with a total 2,000 feet (610 m) elevation gain. The second route is the road used to bring construction materials to the site from Highway 1. It is one mile shorter, but much steeper and less scenic.

Marine protected areas

Big Creek State Marine Reserve and Big Creek State Marine Conservation Area are marine protected areas offshore from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.

McWay Falls

McWay Falls is an 80-foot-tall (24 m) waterfall on the coast of Big Sur in central California that flows year-round from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, about 37 miles (60 km) south of Carmel, into the Pacific Ocean. During high tide, it is a tidefall, a waterfall that empties directly into the ocean. The only other tidefall in California is Alamere Falls.

Current use

Due to the high cliffs surrounding the cove, the beach is inaccessible except by boat, and may be covered by surf at high tide. The outlet of McWay Creek at the top of McWay Falls is accessible by a 0.5-mile-long trail that starts at a parking area just east of Highway 1. From the parking lot, visitors can walk down a dirt path toward the ocean, through a short tunnel under the highway to the overlook. The Waterfall Overlook of McWay Falls was built on the site formerly occupied by the Browns' mansion. Visitors to the site today can view remnants of the home's foundation, landscaping (including palm trees), and the funicular railway. Ewoldsen's original Pelton wheel is displayed in a small building.

Things to Do

Visit One of Big Sur's Most Iconic Coastal Destinations

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is one of California's most famous state parks, located along the rugged Big Sur coastline. The park is renowned for its dramatic ocean scenery, redwood groves, mountain landscapes, and the world-famous McWay Falls. Its combination of coastal and forest environments makes it one of the most photographed destinations on the Pacific Coast.

See the Spectacular McWay Falls

The park's signature attraction is McWay Falls, an approximately 80-foot waterfall that cascades from granite cliffs onto a secluded cove along the Pacific Ocean. One of the few waterfalls in the United States that flows directly onto a beach, McWay Falls is a must-see stop for visitors exploring Highway 1 and Big Sur.

Explore Ancient Redwood Forests

The inland portion of the park protects magnificent coast redwood groves that thrive in cool canyon environments. Visitors can walk among some of California's tallest trees while enjoying shaded trails, lush vegetation, and peaceful natural surroundings.

Enjoy Scenic Photography and Sightseeing

The park's coastal overlooks provide breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, rocky cliffs, offshore coves, and the Santa Lucia Mountains. Sunrise, sunset, and seasonal coastal fog create exceptional opportunities for landscape photography.

Discover Big Sur's Natural Beauty

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park showcases the diverse ecosystems that make Big Sur famous, including redwood forests, coastal scrub, chaparral, and oceanfront habitats. Visitors can experience both towering forests and dramatic coastline within a relatively compact area.

Observe Wildlife and Native Plants

Wildlife commonly observed in the park includes deer, hawks, songbirds, California condors in the greater Big Sur region, and marine mammals visible offshore. Seasonal wildflowers and native vegetation add color and variety throughout the year.

Top Trails

McWay Falls Overlook Trail

Length: Approximately 0.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This short, accessible trail leads to the park's famous overlook of McWay Falls and the picturesque cove below. It is one of the most popular walks in Big Sur and provides stunning views with minimal effort.

Ewoldsen Trail

Length: Approximately 4.5 miles loop
Elevation Gain: About 1,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

The park's premier hiking route climbs through redwood forests, oak woodlands, and chaparral-covered slopes before reaching viewpoints overlooking the Big Sur coastline. The trail offers an excellent combination of forest and ocean scenery.

Partington Cove Trail

Length: Approximately 1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate

Located near the park, this short but scenic trail descends through a historic tunnel to a secluded rocky cove. Visitors enjoy dramatic coastal scenery and a glimpse into Big Sur's early transportation history.

Canyon View Segments of the Ewoldsen Trail

Length: Varies along route
Elevation Gain: Moderate to Significant
Difficulty: Moderate

These sections of the trail provide panoramic views of redwood canyons, the Pacific Ocean, and the rugged Santa Lucia Mountains, making them especially popular among photographers and experienced hikers.

Sources: California State Parks official Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park information, including details on McWay Falls, redwood groves, hiking trails, wildlife, visitor facilities, and recreational opportunities. r> Additional information verified through California State Parks and Big Sur visitor resources covering the McWay Falls Overlook Trail, Ewoldsen Trail, coastal viewpoints, redwood habitats, and natural features within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park", and "McWay Falls", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0