Julia Pfeiffer Burns State ParkAbout Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a coastal state park in the Big Sur region of central California, best known for an ocean-terminating waterfall and coastal vistas. The park protects steep coastal cliffs, redwood stands at higher elevations and a short network of trails.
The area takes its name from Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a longtime local resident, and the parklands were added to California’s state park system in the mid-20th century to conserve the coastal landscape and the waterfall cove. The park has been managed to balance scenic access with habitat protection, and public access to the cove itself is restricted to limit erosion and disturbance.
The park lies along State Route 1 in Monterey County’s Big Sur coastline, between the towns of Carmel and San Simeon. It occupies steep ocean-facing terrain with direct coastal views and is accessed from the highway.
- McWay Falls height: The waterfall is approximately 24 metres (about 80 feet) tall and empties into the ocean at McWay Cove, one of the few seaside waterfalls in California.
- Best viewing point: The main overlook is located adjacent to Highway 1 and provides the principal public viewing point; beach access to McWay Cove is restricted to protect the shoreline and sensitive habitat.
What to See#
- McWay Falls: A short coastal waterfall that drops about 24 metres (approximately 80 feet) directly into McWay Cove and the Pacific Ocean, visible from an established roadside overlook on State Route 1.
- Overlooks and trails: Park overlooks and trails
Nearby Attractions to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Best Time to Visit Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Best in spring and fall for clearer skies and fewer crowds along Highway 1; summer brings fog and more tourists.
Weather & Climate near Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 4°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (848 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 5° - 15° | 8° | 162 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 5° - 15° | 8° | 147 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 5° - 15° | 8° | 141 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 5° - 16° | 11° | 70 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 7° - 17° | 12° | 13 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 9° - 20° | 14° | 5 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 11° - 22° | 16° | 2 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 11° - 23° | 17° | 3 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 11° - 23° | 17° | 12 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 9° - 21° | 15° | 38 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 7° - 17° | 12° | 119 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 5° - 15° | 8° | 136 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is located on Highway 1 in Big Sur, California, about 37 miles south of Carmel. Access is by car along the Pacific Coast Highway; parking is limited at the main turnout for McWay Falls. Highway 1 can be narrow and subject to closures due to landslides, so check Caltrans conditions before traveling.
Tips for Visiting Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Go early in the morning to see McWay Falls without large crowds - light from the east makes the cove luminous.
- Park along Highway 1 and use the official parking turnout near the main viewpoint to avoid clogging the narrow road.
- Hike the short trail to the waterfall viewpoint only - cliff edges are fragile and there is no safe beach access directly from the falls.