Pfeiffer Beach: Is it Worth the Detour?
About an hour south of Carmel on Highway 1, you will find an unmarked road that leads you down to my favorite part of Big Sur: Pfeiffer Beach.
Other than an amazing beach, you can find a cove for fishing and surfing, a Keyhole Arch, and purple sand. Yeah, you read that right. In some spots, the sand gives off a purple hue.
It makes the perfect addition to any Big Sur road trip, even though it feels like it belongs more to the locals.
Know Before You Go
Road Information
The road you turn onto from Highway 1 is narrow and only wide enough for one lane in some spots. Oncoming traffic may need to pull off to allow you to pass which can add some time.
It takes about 15 minutes to drive from Highway 1 down to the beach parking lot. Trailers and RVs are prohibited on the road leading down to the beach.
Entrance Fee
Entry to Pfeiffer Beach costs $15 per vehicle, cash only. The entry fee is for a single visit, so you will need to pay again if you leave and return.
Parking
Parking is limited, and the lot can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. If the lot is full, rangers will turn visitors away at the entry point on Highway 1.
Best Time to Visit
To avoid the crowds and increase your chances of finding a parking spot, arrive early.
Weekends and nice-weather days tend to be the busiest, so if you can, try visiting on a weekday. This can make it much easier to find parking.
What to Bring
I’d personally bring a blanket or towel if you’re planning to hang out at the beach. There are some rocks you can sit on, but you’ll likely want to get closer to the water.
I’d also bring some snacks if you plan to spend a while at the beach. Since this area is further away from restaurants and general stores, you might get hungry.
Terrain
From the parking lot, you’ll follow a dirt trail through a wooded area to reach the beach. Once you get there, the sand is quite thick.
I immediately took off my shoes to make it easier to navigate. If you want to get to the cove, you’ll need to cross a small stream with some rocky areas.
Don’t Expect the Entire Beach to Be Purple
I came into this thinking there would be more noticeable purple spots. That was not the case. And you might be thinking, well, duh, the whole beach isn’t going to be purple.
Obviously, I didn’t expect that, but the purple sand was less abundant than I imagined.
I do think the purple sand is highlighted as a huge reason to visit. But in reality, it takes some searching to find it. I found the most noticeable purple sand around the stream that cuts through the beach.
Check Conditions Before Going
Highway 1 in Big Sur has been closed at times for multiple reasons, so it’s always smart to check for road closures before heading to Pfeiffer Beach.
You’ll also want to check the weather, as conditions can impact both the drive and the beach.
What Makes Pfeiffer Beach Different?
While you can experience the beach at Garrapata State Beach toward the northern end of Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach has a completely different feel.
Garrapata State Beach has intense waves that feel like they could suck you in if you aren’t careful. I stayed far away from the water’s edge and enjoyed it from a safe distance. There, you can find a spot and watch the waves crash onto the sand in blissful silence.
At Pfeiffer Beach, there are more opportunities for activity than leisure.
The cove on the left side of the beach was occupied by surfers and fishermen wading in the water, while others explored the Keyhole Arch.
Many people gathered around the small stream, searching for specks of purple sand.
Pfeiffer Beach also felt more welcoming for families, with children of all ages enjoying the different areas of the beach.
My Experience
Pfeiffer Beach was one of my must-stops during the planning process, but I almost missed it!
Heading south from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, I was on the lookout for a sign or marked road, but I couldn’t find one despite knowing my turn was coming up.
Thankfully, I was listening to the Big Sur GuideAlong audio tour, which directed me to turn onto an unmarked road.
Even though I didn’t have cell service, the downloaded map gave me real time directions throughout Big Sur while also pointing out facts and upcoming stops.
The road down to the beach was a little scary because you have to pull off when you meet an approaching car. The thing is, there is hardly any room to pull off because the road is so narrow.
This was probably the most anxious I felt during my Big Sur trip, but it was definitely worth pulling over every few minutes to let other visitors leave.
Once I got to the bottom, I had to pay $15 to get in. This confused me at first, and I even asked the ranger why I had to pay again when I had just paid $10 for a day pass for California State Parks.
They explained that Pfeiffer Beach is its own separate organization and requires an additional fee. I hesitated for a second, but I was ultimately glad I paid it.
The parking lot is small, and it fills up quickly. I got there around 10 a.m., and there were only a few spots left.
There are bathrooms near the parking lot, and I would suggest making a pit stop there before heading down to the beach. From there, it’s a short walk through the woods to the sand.
Once I got to the beach, I saw surfers and fishermen in the cove, so I immediately went to check it out. I did have to cross the small stream that cuts through the beach to get to the water.
There were a lot of people hanging out on the sand, while others were exploring the Keyhole Arch. There was even a man who climbed the arch barefoot, which I thought was crazy.
I was able to stick my feet in the water for a bit, even though it was freezing.
Also, I had a chance to set up my tripod and take some photos of myself. I felt pretty comfortable doing this because there weren’t a ton of people around.
Still, sometimes you have to shake off the embarrassment to get the picture you want. Especially when you don’t want to keep a stranger stuck taking tons of photos or feel rushed into accepting a bad shot.
Eventually, I made my way over to the Keyhole Arch and watched as the waves crashed through. This would be a great spot for sunset, as the light comes through the keyhole, and the beach stays open until shortly after sunset.
After about an hour, I packed up my belongings and headed back to the car. The parking lot had also started to thin out a little as early morning surfers left.
However, there was a steady stream of people heading down to the beach as I made my way up to Highway 1.
I felt like I had to pull over much more for incoming traffic on the way up, which got a little dicey because you are much closer to the edge of the road on the climb back.
Is Pfeiffer Beach Worth the Detour?
Out of all the stops I made in Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach was where I spent the most time. There was so much to see and do, and I felt like I actually had time to sit down and relax.
I never felt unsafe here because I had my own space while still feeling like there were enough people around to feel safe in numbers.
This would be one of my must-stop places if I were to go back to Big Sur.
There were spots along the way that felt like they were one-and-done for me, but Pfeiffer Beach has a draw that I think will bring visitors back over and over again.
Even though you do have to put in more effort to get down to the beach from the road and pay an additional fee, I think it’s worth the experience.
It was also cool to see the purple sand, even if it was only in small sections around the stream.
My favorite part was simply feeling like I was a part of the environment. I could be one small piece of the bigger puzzle, rather than feeling like I was completely alone at some of the other stops.
I felt like I actually got to sit down and experience this place instead of just checking it off my bucket list like I did at McWay Falls.
Those spots tend to be more of a stop, get a picture, and take in the scene kind of experience, whereas Pfeiffer Beach let me feel like I was actually in the moment.
If you’re wondering what else to add to your Big Sur itinerary, check out my guide to the 9 Must-Visit Stops on Your Big Sur Road Trip along Highway 1.
