McWay Falls - Big Sur, CA

Today we are traveling along Highway 1 and California’s beautiful central coast to one of the most magical Big Sur spots in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Join me at McWay Falls!

Location & Topography

McWay Falls is an 80 ft waterfall located 35 miles south of Carmel, inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. During high tide McWay Falls is actually a tide fall (meaning the waterfall pours directly into the Pacific Ocean). McWay Cove was completely filled up with ocean water until the 1980s when a fire and subsequent mudslide carved out what is now the pristine sandy beach area. This is a marvelous spot to admire the local Big Sur flora and fauna.

History

Named for Christoper McWay, an early Big Sur pioneer in the 1870s, who’s original homestead barn still stands inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The waterfall itself was once located on privately owned land owned by Lathrop and Helen Hooper Brown. The Browns were east coast socialites who built a west coast retreat here, lovingly named the “Waterfall House”. It was decorated with fine art by Gauguin and Degas, and the multi-story house even had a marble staircase. After Lathrop Brown died in 1959, Helen Hooper deeded 1,600 acres of coastal land to the State of California in 1961 with the stipulation the park be named after her friend and true frontier woman, Julia Pfeiffer Burns. The mansion was demolished in 1966, leaving only the stone foundation and large palm trees that can still be seen today.

Visiting

The overlook trail to McWay Falls is an easily accessible 1/2 mile paved and dirt path with multiple waterfall view points. The final overlook observation deck was actually built on the foundation of the original Waterfall House, and it is a wonderful spot to watch for wildlife, such as the California condor and traveling whales. The beach looks so perfectly pristine because there is no beach access here. Enjoy the clifftop views, but don’t venture off the designated path. Leaving the trail and trying to climb down to the cove is illegal and extremely dangerous (people have died attempting to reach the beach). Violators can be cited and arrested for making such attempts here.

Know Before You Go

• Big Sur is one of our state’s incredible natural jewels, and I hope you have the opportunity to experience its beauty for yourself. However, as more and more people visit these spots, it’s incredibly important to pack out everything you pack in, and also consider learning about The Big Sur Pledge and how to honor the natural environment when visiting this special spot. Many visitors can bless these natural spots when we honor local regulations and leave the area better than we found it.

• Official park hours are 8am until sunset, and dogs are not allowed on the trail.

• As of February 2021, part of the Overlook Trail is closed due to heavy rain and flooding damage.

• While it may be possible to park along the side of Highway 1, a much better option is to pay $10 (bring exact change) to park in the day use parking area, where you can take the beautiful trail that passes under the highway.

• The best time of year to see gray whale migrating here is Dec-Jan and March-April.

• Toilets can be found near the trailhead and parking area.

• Be sure to abide by all posted signs, as they are for your safety and for the preservation of the ecosystem and the beautify wildlife that resides in it.

• Plan on packing out everything you pack in and following the Leave No Trace principles to keep this place beautiful for all to enjoy.

Nearby Big Sur Points of Interest:

• Calla Lily Valley
• Sand Dollar Beach
• Jade Cove
• Limekiln State Park
• Salmon Creek Falls
• San Carpoforo Beach
• Ragged Point Hike
• Garrapata State Park
• Bixby Bridge

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

Thank you so much for joining me today in Big Sur, and please enjoy by Behind the Blog video below…and make sure to check out my FREE Big Sur Top 12 Photo Guide (for more amazing Big Sur spots) in my Travel Guides section here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!

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