About McWay Falls

McWay Falls drops 80 feet directly onto a pristine crescent of sand in a turquoise cove along the Big Sur coast — one of only a handful of tidal waterfalls in California, and arguably the most photographed landscape in the entire state. The falls emerge from a narrow slot in the coastal bluff and plunge onto the beach below, which is inaccessible to visitors and thus perfectly preserved.

The short Overlook Trail at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park leads through a tunnel under CA-1 to a viewpoint perfectly positioned above the cove. The combination of the turquoise Pacific, the white sand beach, the green headlands, and the falling water creates a landscape of almost impossible beauty. This is a 10-minute walk that delivers a memory lasting a lifetime.

Trail Highlights

• 80-foot freefall directly onto a pristine, untouched Pacific beach
• One of the only tidal waterfalls in California
• 10-minute walk delivers one of the most iconic views on the entire California coast
• The inaccessible beach below preserves the cove in its natural, pristine state
• Best photographed in morning before the coastal bluff falls into shadow

Trail Description

From the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park day-use parking area on CA-1, follow the Overlook Trail a short distance to a tunnel under the highway. Pass through the tunnel and continue to the overlook platform above McWay Cove.

The overlook delivers the full panoramic view: the turquoise cove, the white sand beach, and McWay Creek dropping 80 feet in a thin plume onto the sand below. Morning light from the east is ideal. Stay as long as you like — this view demands time.

Tips & What to Bring

• Morning photography (8-10am) is best before the bluff casts shadow on the falls
• The beach below is off-limits — do not attempt to scramble down the cliff
• The CA-1 parking area fills on summer weekends by 9am — arrive early or use the Big Sur shuttle
• Combine with Pfeiffer Beach (purple sand!) and Nepenthe restaurant for a full Big Sur day
• The falls run strongest in winter and spring after coastal rains

Getting There

From Carmel, CA, take CA-1 South approximately 37 miles through Big Sur. The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park parking area is on the right. GPS: 36.1590, -121.6715.