Fun, but getting there can be tricky. I used the AllTrails app to find Jade Cove. I then opened up the Jade Cove map and looked for the blue dot (my car) going along highway 1. I pulled over at the trail marker.. It worked perfectly. The best part of this experience was the short but precarious hike down to the cove. You'll be required to use a rope to hike down to the beach and back up again. The rope is a permanent fixture. Kids seven and over could do it without any assistance. When at the beach you'll see a lot of green rocks, mostly serpentine. The rule is that you can take anything you like as long as the "tide" ocean is able to touch it. The tidal range goes all the way to the cliffside. - There is no highway sign for jade cove anymore. That was taken down many years ago. - Check the tides and try to come here at low tide. - If you can, when you're at the bottom of the rope hike southward to the next cove. Better rocks over there. read more

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1 2 3 not it. Finding the spot is kind of a game. Quite frankly the bluff is a great place to have a picnic if nothing else on a nice day. The whole area is breathtaking, I'm fairly sure there isn't any jade at the beach, there's also a sign that tells you not too take anything from the beach. When you find that sign I'm relatively sure you have found jade cove. It's not a long walk down from the parking area (just south of the entrance to the nearby campground on the east side of the road). The sign gets taken down by locals? I really count on locals to protect their interests unnecessarily, i should do that more often. Unfortunately I never went to the jerk academy so I never leaned how to selfishly conduct myself in such a manner. I would love to camp at the nearby campsite, the bluff above jade cove would be a great place to star gaze on a clear night. read more

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this is one great place to get a photographic masterpiece! if you're going to try this know that there are only a few times per month where golden hour coincides with low tide. This is the only time you can get good shots and get out safe. you can usually ask your smart speaker or Siri what the low tide times are each day. Then ask that same device what time the sunsets. As long as low tide is within an hour of sunset you will probably have the best of both worlds. Do bring some sturdy shoes when you try to climb down the escarpment. There is usually a rope to help you traverse on down read more

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This place is pretty gorgeous but not for those afraid to break a sweat. Once you're down there you wish there was an actual beach you could relax on, but the beauty of the little boulders and assorted colors of rocks in a fairly secluded setting is something you don't often find on the California coast. The hike down to the cove is not too bad but does get a bit difficult at the tail end where you need to hold on to a rope that's been installed to assist you with the steep descent. The hike up is a bit more difficult, especially if you chose to wear non-sneakers like I did! Whoops :) I made it, and didn't twist an ankle or anything. I didn't really know what unpolished jade looks like so I didn't take any parting prizes but you are allowed to collect some jade within the guidelines. Consult the website for the policies so you don't prematurely erode this gem. Tip: Don't bring anything you can't carry snugly on your back/body as it's not worth it when the going gets steep! Also, don't be scared to crawl around on the boulders for the nice views, including a zebra-striped rock! :) read more

Jade Cove Beach - One of the signs to look for! - Hiking Near Me - Big Sur, California

If your thinking of finding jade here, give up. They have long been picked clean by rock hounds years ago. There are plenty of rocks here that may look like jade, but are not. I took home a few pretty rocks just for fun. If you really want to hunt for jade here, learn to dive, plenty of jade still in the ocean. As for the walk down, it is not bad. I did it with a broken toe. Just be extra careful after a raining/wet day. When you're down there looking for rocks, be weary of slim on rocks, it can be very slippery. Wear shoes with decent traction. Keep extra cloths in the car if you plan to jade hunt. You will get wet. If your not wet, you are not doing it right. The water line is your only hope to find small pieces being washed up. Though I would say your chances are slim, but fun nonetheless. After all, having fun is what life is all about. read more

Jade Cove Beach - Jade cove from above - Hiking Near Me - Big Sur, California

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We have lived an hour from Big Sur for nigh on 40 years. Here's how we visit. Stop at Garapata first. Go past the cedars to the loop trail overlooking the sea and cliffs. The loop is a five-hour trip so it will cut your itinerary if you're there for only a day. The trail isn't well marked, so the usual caveat applies: never go there for the first time. On the other side of Highway 1 is a lovely circle aound Soberanes Point. This is a wonderful natural stacking of dramatic rock. (If you think of the transit of the sun over our land as a movie, like I do, then Big Sur is a most effective ending, nowhere more so than Soberanes.) Next up is Rocky Point for brunch. You will pay $32 for a crab salad, but a walk along the ice plant before the cliffs will make you forget your AmEx charge. Pass through the tourist stops - unless you'd care to sit in an Adirondack in the Big Sur River? Then look for River Inn. You don't have to buy anything to sit in the river, but don't bring outside comestibles. Play the game. There is a single-lane road of some two miles just past Pfeiffer Park, on your right. Price is $10 per vehicle as of this writing, and you may need exact change to stuff in an envelope if the ranger isn't at her station. You walk through a eucalyptus grove to the sand and wind, and you cross a creek to your left and climb what looks to be a sleeping triceratops to Pfeifer Point if you're us, and follow to the granite monoliths at the sea's edge and turn right and walk the beach then go away if you're anybody else. Nepenthe is a mile or so further south. It's a stacked treat: curio shop on the bottom floor, Jahva House an outdoor Café up one, then an upscale eponymous restaurant further up yet. This is an establishment Orson Welles bought for his sweetheart Rita Hayworth when it was new and rustic, but she wouldn't live there because there was no electricity. Also, it was a film set for Night of the Iguana. The stars are gone now but the electricity came. Next if you're unlike us you'll proceed to the counterculture newage capital of specious spaceout splendor Esalon. Tell me how you like it. There's a wonderful day. read more

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This place isn't the easiest place to find. From the north heading south, you'll pass a campsite and there'll be just openness to your right. There is no sign that will tell you this is jade cove. If you drive past it, on your right there'll be this forest looking place with two rocks and a path / entrance... this is not it, and you've gone too far. You will hike down a little bit, and get to this little cove where the water splashes quite harshly. In the cove, there are a lot of little rocks, bugs, flies, seaweed everywhere. If you don't like bugs, avoid the place, they're everywhere. You most likely will get splashed by the waves, and the water is cold. Your shoes will get wet... again if you take off your shoes, bugs everywhere. We picked a lot of rocks, but only 2 tiny pieces were jade. When you pick rocks, and they're wet, it's very misleading. After we went to get lunch, we pulled the rocks out again, and they looked nothing like what we saw when we picked them. To know it's jade, it shouldn't really be marked when scratching it with brass (brass car key?). However, Serpentine will leave a giant white scratch mark. Bring a cup to collect. Bring a small towel to dry off. Wear shoes as you will need the grip. Enjoy! read more

The place is beautiful. We knew that the sign for Jade cove is very small so we just looked for the Plaskett Creek Campground sign. Since Jade cove is directly across from the campsite. We hike down for a bit and came to a site. The one hill that we climb down had no ropes and was very steep. But it was all worth it because we did indeed found some jade pieces. Although small, it was fun to find them. I could have spent more time there but we had to keep going down highway 1, but I will be back! read more

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Found my first piece of jade here Best place ever Just a fun day off Took a weekday off Came from San Jose 3 hr drive and worth it Saw the waterfall Had delicious lunch on the hike Beautiful day , Jade cove so fun! read more

Jade Cove Beach - Jade cove baby - Hiking Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Our first time at Jade Cove Beach, long drive from Santa Cruz (30 miles doth of Big Sur) especially on memorial day weekend, it was also me and my wife Jade's 18th anniversary. It was a beautiful day and there is still Jade to be found. If you have two legs its a moderately easy hike down. There is a rope at the last steep part for your convenience. You need to get down in the waterline, dig deep and sift through it. Don't trust the previous reviews as obviously they did not try hard enough to find real Jade. On our way down we did pass some divers that did find a really nice green and pumpkin Jade. Of course there is Serpintine Jade everywhere but we found real Jade. Worth the trip if you are rock hounds and have the time. read more

YIKES. we were just there on saturday (11.13.10), and honestly, having headed down the trail and miraculously made our way out, we were both shaking our heads wondering why in the world we made our way down the path. the reviewers below are totally spot on-- this place is gorgeous, it's ROCKY as all get-out, and hello, it's in big sur. HOWEVER... be sure you have on some seriously solid footwear/be crazy adept at balancing on slippery worn out paths and be prepared to possibly slide down the end part of the trail (yes, the part with an old rope) and hurt yourself. also, be advised that there is no cell service here... none. I would highly recommend you NOT take children of any age. the trail itself is completely coming undone and the part that leads you down to the beach is just dry enough seeming to trick you into thinking you should head down... it's only when you slip that you really start freaking out, and by then, you, well, you either leave or stay. did I mention it's beautiful? read more

Jade Cove Beach - sure is pretty here... jade cove nov 2010 - Hiking Near Me - Big Sur, California

When I was visiting Big Sur, all the jade I saw for sale there fascinated me. I wanted to find some of our own, so I decided we should stop at Jade Cove. That said, Jade Cove is decidedly NOT easy to find! The cove is unmarked, and the trail brought us right to the edge of a steep cliff - it took us long time to find a way down... When we finally made it down to the beach, we realized we don't know what jade looks like in it's "native" state ;-) All in all, it was a fun adventure, with some exceptional scenery and some truly spectacular views to help us remember this unusual adventure! I don't know if I'd recommend coming here for Jade hunting, but the views simply stunning!! read more

The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down: It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew Though much is taken, much abides; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. Alfred Lord Tennyson read more

Do you like rocky beaches? I kinda do, especially if I Can find some jade up in there. It's not the most accessible beach and it is pretty difficult to find unless you know where you're going. I recommend checking it out. You do have the potential to find some jade and that stuff is worth a lot, especially if you find a gigantic rock of it. Personally, I have not, but I have heard of people finding large pieces of jade. In fact, they have a jade festival. I haven't been in a few years, so I would definitely go back. read more

Nothing beats climbing the rocks and burying your feet in the sand... and who knows you may even find a treasure of your own, a token of the earth... your very own piece of jade that no matter what the grade is a priceless souvenir to you and your family. You can get the kids involved ( and exhausted ) if they know that they are looking for such a valuable stone. My 4 kids ( 6-16) were trying to keep as far as they could from the other siblings to find the MOST rare read more

A long walk through sticks and dirt only to hike through more rugged ass slick rocks to get to the cove. Yay. Panting...we...have found...the cove...finally...to jade. My guy scored a decent find for me. Don't be like me sporting Kangaroo sneakers. Wear a realistic pair, be sure to have your things worn snug on you, or safe in your zipped pockets. read more

It's a slippery & rocky walk down to this pretty little cove -- but be aware its not really a beach you can lay on. You can sit on rocks uncomfortably, but not lay back and enjoy the sun. I think what deterred me from this cove is all the super serious prospectors using pick axes with the goal to find jade. I was hoping for a relaxing & quiet experience of jade hunting, and was caught off guard by all the intense competition I was up against. I half-assedly looked for jade for a few minutes and then left to go to Sand Dollar beach -- at which I actually found a piece of jade, fancy that. It's beautiful and I think I'd like it more if there were more comfortable rocks to sit on and less fierce people in such a small area. P.S. There's also some poison oak at the beginning of the trail, so watch what you brush up against! read more

Jade Cove...when trying to locate while driving...slow down or you might miss the turn in:) Once there , you will get swept into the HUNT! We were there probably at least 2-3 hours and walked away with a good 3 pounds of jade. (well, we think a lot of it was jade:) Beautiful and fun regardless. read more

My family has been coming to this area to camp since I was little. We would stay at the campsite across the HW from it, but you could also camp at other spots a little further down, or just come here for day use. The trail use to freak me out when I was small because there are some steep areas, but when I came back recently it wasn't as bad as I remember at all. It's still a bit of a work out, that's for sure and you should def. wear good shoes for the hike up and down as the trail isn't in great condition. I noticed they are in the process of extending the last few feet of steps with cement stairs. (though I think the tide will just cover them with rocks eventually...) I think as the years go by, more and more rock is washed onto the shore because when I was small there was plenty of actual sandy beach...and the amount of rock is mind blowing when I saw this time. You have to be careful though because the rocks are not very stable and it's very easy to slide down or trip. The cliffs are still as beautiful as I remember and still eroding like crazy. Most of the cliffs are made of serpentine, not actual jade, BUT there is jade in there somewhere! I love just searching through all the rock and finding that one reeeaaalllyyy cool looking rock that you have to take home and show others, hehe. I'm hoping to come back really soon again, once the weather clears up :) read more

It is likely you will miss the shoulder turn-out that is nearest Jade Cove Beach. This was a fun adventure that let us stretch our legs (& arms) during the drive back down the coast. Comfortable shoes are a must, as previously mentioned. Take a deep breath and trust (err..hope) that the rope is securely fastened near the top. Congratulations, now you're a coastal adventurer! read more

Love this place, girls and I had a great time hunting for jade. Much of the trail paths were over grown. The view is beautiful

It's still beautiful, but We came here 5 years ago and it was mostly rocks and a little sand. A built out trail to get down there and small steps built out to go the rest of the way down. Now it's a full blown beach. Very crowded, not like before. It was very secluded before. Bring cash to park on the weekends, or be prepared to park along the one and walk. You use to be able to walk the stretch and find all sorts of shells, jade, beach glass, etc. Not like it use to be and its pretty sad. read more

We didn't find any jade, but it was fun looking for it. We lost time and spent about two hours out there! We found a lot of beautiful rocks that just happened to have green tints to it. Be careful if you go during this time of year! There was a lot of poison oak that had crept into the walking path. We talked to a local guy who was preparing to go free diving along the coast of Jade Cove Beach who told us that he and his friends hacked a lot of the poison oak off of the trail. I would also wear long sleeves and pants that are brightly colored because of ticks. We followed a path from a tiny, unmarked parking area that we found through downloading google maps offline (There is no service in Big Sur). From the path, we found one option to basically scale down to a rocky shore using a rope that was attached to a 2 foot metal pole. We decided that probably wouldn't be a safe way down and instead found a way down that looked like stairs made out of rocks. read more

If you're out of shape, afraid of heights, not wearing good shoes, or get freaked out about things like dead seals (found fairly often, though most people seem to just notice the smell and think the actual body is just another rock), I'd skip this one. This isn't a sandy beach; if you want to sunbathe, I'd go elsewhere. I also wouldn't bring any kids that still might need to be carried, as the trail gets tricky. If you go, bring your camera and sturdy shoes. About a month ago, I found that the trail has gotten a bit more washed out, and there's more poison ivy than usual, so keep an eye out for that as well. On the beach itself, you'll be scrambling through small boulders and rocks--it's pretty easy to turn an ankle, so watch your step. If you encounter mats of washed-up kelp, I'd also stay away from them--they're very slippery, and sometimes full of flies. For collecting jade, you can take only what you can carry, and can only use a hand tool. To tell the jade from serpentine, use a knife; it won't scratch the jade, but will scratch the serpentine. Willow Beach nearby is a lot easier to access and also sometimes has pieces. I personally prefer Jade Cove because it's not crowded (obvious reasons) and prettier, but it might also be worth a try, depending on your preferences. read more

Their is a under water cave made out of jade. You have to scuba dive into it! Way cool,but don't take any rocks.

BEAUTIFUL, However, Jade Cove is EASY to pass by and miss the turn in for. Watch for the small sign. At first, it looks like a simple trail, don't be fooled. If you are venturing to the bottom of the trail, near the water, be very cautious...near the bottom of the trail, it is very steep, there is even some rope for support climbing back up the rocky hills. beautiful view points from the top, but still be cautious. read more

it's a fine beach. on the way there drive is very windy, but has amazing views. mostly couples at the beach. even girls skinny dipping. not for family really :/ read more