 Pacific Coast Highway - California Coast Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Parkby Joseph A. Sprince - Photography by Gerald B. AllenBeautiful McWay Falls on the Big Sur Coast
Roughly fifteen miles south of the town of Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park preserves another spectacular section of coastline. It features beautiful McWay Falls, an eighty foot waterfall which empties directly into the ocean. The falls and the beach are not accessible, but you may view and photograph the above vista from the Overlook Trail. 
The Overlook Trail curls around the cove to both headlands and offers exciting coastal views of cliffs and ocean to the north and the south. Photo, near right, looks towards the north. At far right, a closeup of the falls. The trail along McWay Creek is lush with vegetation. Heading towards the south headland, you pass through a lush eucalyptus grove offering shade and a delicious aroma. There are a few primitive camp sites (reservations required) at the south headland with outstanding views. 
The park also encompasses a section of redwood forest set back from the ocean and the cliffs. A trail network penetrates the forest and offers a completely different experience in deep woods. If you have time, the trail reaches the top of the hills with more spectacular views of the coastline. However even a short half mile hike brings you to the pretty waterfall shown in the photo, far left.
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California Coastal Access Guide by California Coastal Commission This revised and expanded sixth edition of the California Coastal Access Guide is an essential handbook for both new and seasoned visitors exploring California's majestic 1,100-mile shoreline. With up-to-date maps and information, it is a valuable guide for all beachgoers...
Hidden Coast of California
by Ray Riegert
No other guide offers coverage of this fabled shoreline as comprehensively as Hidden Coast of California, focusing on the many miles of unspoiled beach-long famous stretches to dozens of hidden pockets along the way. 
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Big Sur Coast I by Gerald Allen
The Million Dollar View from Ragged Point on California's Big Sur coast. Buy This Print! Related Pages
California's Central Coast offers some of the American West's most splendid scenery and attractions, from the Golden Gate to the Hearst Castle to the magnificent scenic drive on the Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1).
Location
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is on the Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1), just south of Big Sur. Local Weather
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