Friend wanted to see McWay Falls so we went Sat 6/17/23. It's over 2.5hrs to get there from…read moreFremont. Entrances fee $10 or get CA public library state park pass, limited free parking on Hwy 1 if u want to walk-in. They have flushed toilets & sink but only 4, and only 3 were working when u went. Follow signs to McWay Falls, only 10min hike down the stairs, go through tunnel and turn right. Beautiful waterfall, can't go down to the beach, just see it from trail Worth a visit.

Mcway falls is beautiful something out of a story or a movie. So beautiful…read more Key things to note if you want to go - See if the trail is open. ( it wasn't but they instructed how to view the falls from the roadway) still beautiful. We did not have ANY RECEPTION after point lobos park traveling south on pch to Bixby bridge to the Julia phifer burns park which is where the mcway falls are. Roughly an hour drive depending on variables on the road. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS MORE ROUGHLY OVER 150 miles if you are going from Carmel. We had to get a couple gallons of gas in Big Sur and it was not cheap, almost double a regular gas price. All in all good trip!

Our twelfth stop (09:42) on the Cabrillo Highway on our southbound trip through Big Sur, this dirt…read moreturn off provides unmarked parking to get clear views of the Partington Cove trail that will take you down to see the cove. We couldn't take the hike down but there were already cars parked on the side of the road to allow easy entry onto the trailhead. No cell reception in this area.

We came here 10 years ago and it was a hidden gem at the time, we drove by around 8:30am on the way…read moreto McWay Falls and there were already 2 cars there so I knew it was no longer a secret. This is by far one of our favorite Big Sur spots. The entire beginning of the hike is all downhill so you'll have an easy time going down and be panting on the way back up, you'll see it in other people's faces as you are going down. At the very bottom split I would take the time to go both directions, if you take the bridge it'll lead to a view of the ocean that narrows and then broadens. There is a nice wood tunnel you'll pass through and at the very end of the trail you can do a small rock scrambles to get an amazing view of the turquoise blue water and seaweed gently swaying in the water. If you are lucky you'll spot some sea otters diving in the kelp. If you take the other path it leads to a rocky cove with fun boulders for kids and adults to climb on, if you come in a wet season or after rain there will be a stream with many mini waterfalls on the left side. The wave splashes here are epic and it is dangerous so I would always be mindful of the water and avoid rocks that are wet when visiting.

This place is terrible, stay away (so I will have less issues trying to book for next time)…read more Joking aside, this place is gorgeous. On the RV side they have two bathrooms and a shower, and it's a short walk to the ocean where a natural stream creates a lagoon on the sand before pouring out into the ocean. I would come here every year if I could get a spot!

I love camping here. It's been years and coming back recently was as magical as always…read more I've only camped in the ocean sites due to having a VW camper van. The other sites are tent camping only. I must say, the ocean sites are very snug and limited in space. If you're looking for a spacious camping site with privacy, you're not going to get here. And not all of the sites are the same size so if you have a trailer and a truck, you're gonna have to really be choosy at which is a site to book. This is right underneath the underpass so you're going to hear road noise. But to be honest, a lot of the sound was drowned out by the nearby stream and the ocean. It was walking distance to what felt like a private beach. Since the last time I've been here it looks like they made a mini dam with the running stream creating a mini swimming cove with crystal clear water. There are no electrical hook ups but the bathroom has running water and hot showers available. The bathrooms can get freaking disgusting from the day use visitors, but they do clean it every morning. And let's not forget the beautiful drive to get here. Magical.

My family and I enjoy visiting Monterey every summer. It's a wonderful and relaxing getaway from…read moreSouthern California. During each visit, we always take time to go to the wharf for lunch or dinner to see and experience the marine life and the overall vibe of the ocean, the wharf, and the city itself. One of the larger restaurants on the wharf is undergoing extensive renovation, so a big part of it is closed to the public, which diminishes the overall experience. On our recent trip, we visited the wharf twice and enjoyed our time either dining or taking videos and photos of birds, seals, and sea otters. Tip: There are many homeless people at the entrance to the wharf asking for money. Most are very polite, but one was very aggressive, so please stay aware of your surroundings when visiting.

Monterey Bay is always a nice getaway. Love the wharf, even if it's touristy, but I like that vibe…read more The shops are cute to browse and get souvenirs and gifts, it's never crowded, the views are incredible, you can spot some Marine life. It has an old-school vibe which is more than OK with me. Not a lot to do, but it can be a good stop on a road trip or you can kill time if you spend the night in town.

One of California's bigger and more popular state parks, rightfully so. Not as touristy as Yosemite…read morebut this is on a bigger scale than most other Cali State Parks. I ventured here once before in my early 20s back in my school boy days and felt it was time to see it again with decades worth of a wiser perspective. And I was rewarded in spades. This park is about 30 miles or so south of Carmel on Highway 1, which in my opinion is one of the most glorious stretch of road to drive. Even though it is only 30 miles or so, it still takes almost an hour to travel from Carmel. The road winds around through many curves and undulations so you simply cannot drive freeway speeds here, nor should you want to. Enjoy the views, roll down the window and take in that coastal air, play your favorite tunes and just soak in the moment. Once at the park there are campsites, as well as cabins and even a full service lodge for those that don't want to rough it at all. You are now in mountainous terrain so lots of trees, a big creek and lots of hiking trails. I did a 3 day camp stay and loved it. They keep the park clean, maintain the restrooms and patrol the grounds frequently. Even though they have almost 200 campsites available, they spread it out nice so not everyone is in the same area. I could sometimes hear my neighbors but they were never in my direct view. That is a big plus for me when rating camp sites. People can also just get a day pass and enjoy the trails and creek without having to stay. My camping pass also got me to see a couple other California State Parks nearby on the same trip, so well worth the price of admission. Very lively with animal life which are unfortunately very used to humans. Squirrels and blue jays will not be shy to investigate what they can scavenge so do not leave any food unattended. Upon setting up camp I had a ziplock bag of trail mix on the picnic bench along with the rest of my gear. While I was setting up the tent with me somewhat close by, a stellar jay swooped in and pecked at the bag. It didn't take it but ripped a good hole in the bag. So just a big fyi to keep your food on guard/lock. The big creek runs through many of the sites. Some parts are mellow whilst other parts the water rushes pretty good. I was about 50 yards from the creek so I couldn't see it but I could hear it rolling through the valley. It was very relaxing to hear the cool water rolling downstream, whether at night or waking up at sunrise. And a myriad of birds will contribute with their morning songs, which makes for the best alarm clock. TRUST A little too big for my preference but still beautiful enough that I can revisit every other year. And just outside the park are the California coastline with Highway 1 carving through it. Some of the most breathtaking views Cali has to offer. Pfeiffer thanks for the reacquaintance and the confirmation that you are still indeed one of California's top gems.

Great Stop in Big Sur -- Beautiful Trails, Swimming Spots, & Scenic Views!…read moreThe drive along CA-1 to get here is reason enough to visit--absolutely stunning coastal views the entire way! Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park itself has a lot to offer. There are tons of trails to explore, though keep in mind that there isn't a whole lot of signage. The good news is that if you start from a central area, most paths naturally end up bringing you around in a loop at some point, so it's pretty easy to find your way back. A few takeaways from our visit: Water & Swimming: There are plenty of great spots along the rocks to dip in and swim, which is perfect on a warm day. Accommodations: Great setup whether you like roughing it or prefer comfort. Plenty of campsite options, plus the Lodge if you'd rather stay in a room. Pfeiffer Falls Trail: Honestly, this hike was pretty underwhelming. The falls were down to just a trickle when we went, but at least it was a decent walk to log some good steps! Overall, it's a lovely park with plenty to do. Just keep your expectations low for the waterfall if it hasn't rained recently, and enjoy the river, trees, and incredible coastal drive!

Great Not crowded 1…read moremile walk to cove...watch for snakes!! See video Very little sand on beach LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of rocks Not crowded : )

Went in June 2026, I'm not sure which trail we went on but it was a 2 mile round trip hike to the…read moreocean, fairly easy hike, mostly flat dirt and rock ground, went over some water but there was a little bridge to use, very beautiful. The paid parking ranger station was unmanned when we went but they have an envelope drop box that you can put cash in or a check. Surprisingly clean restrooms and port a potties too near the parking entrance.

Something we thought that would be a quick "outdoor walk" turned into an hour stay at the beach. It…read morewas quite empty, which was a plus, and the sun was shining with a slight ocean breeze. Being able to walk along the coast and soaking in the sun rays and enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing is very, very soothing. You can walk along the beach or walk on a trail or go up a small hill to overlook the ocean!

Location: corner of Ribera Rd and Cuesta Way…read more Parking : enough for three cars. Street parking allowed It's inside the residential area therefore not as crowded/popular as the nearby Carmel Beach. Nicely maintained wide trails wide enough for wheelchair however unfortunately not a ADA compliant, only a staircase to go down /up. Full of wildflowers during spring time and since it's adjacent to the Bird Sanctuary, you can spot the variety shore birds . The trail leads to the Carmel Beach to north and the monastery beach to south.

Gorgeous. Easily accessible and kids love it. Keeps them occupied all day. At one end is a grill…read morefor hamburgers fries etc. Low tide has great tide pools

When it comes to appreciating California's Pacific Ocean shorelines, Monterey has some of the best…read morevisual scenery in all it's glory! For ecologists, environmentalists, biologists and just plain nature lover's alike, you can't beat Pacific Grove for it's breath taking beauty, and an admiration for Mother Earth. Joe K and I were lucky enough to walk here from our hotel and hike along the state provided trails & paths. Many look-out points can be found along the way, with it's rocky shores or sandy beaches. Visitors can leisurely walk, bicycle, picnic, photograph, or visually take in all that nature puts on display. An abundant amount of wildlife can be seen with it's numerous species of birds, sea lions, sea otters, ground squirrels, tide pools, and even the seasonal Monarch butterflies! Among the points of interest along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, (which are Marine Protected Areas), include but not limited to: Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University Marine Life Refuge, Monarch Grove Sanctuary, Lover's Point, Marine Life Sculptures by local artists, informative signage and paintings on the history of the area, public picnic park with children's pool, small beach, restaurant and plenty of sitting areas for relaxation. Just listening to the continuous crashing ocean waves can bring a sense of peace and serenity to anyone's life! Definitely a "must see" location!

What an amazing hidden treasure. Hard to find and if you know you know. Not easy to find no markers…read moreits about 800 feet south of sand dollar beach. Hike through some poison ivy into a cool meadow over looking the beautiful cove. Now finding your way down is no joke adventurous people only. Need to find the cliff with the ropes and hold on tight as you cascade the cliff. Once at the bottom you feel amazing like you conquered a hidden secret Now climbing back up I thought would be tough however climbing back up is much easier than going down. This is not for the weak but totally worth it. Highly recommend. Jade well thats the color of the water and if thats what you're searching for I suggest diving for it.

Fun, but getting there can be tricky. I used the AllTrails app to find Jade Cove. I then opened up…read morethe 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.

Thanks to Yelp pal Hannah S.'s review, I had bookmarked this spot as a place to stop when we were…read morein the area. The views are indeed scenic! We grabbed some coffee at the shop located here and then took a stroll behind the stores to savor the cool breezes, the trees, and the lovely sights of the Pacific Ocean. There's actually a trail, too, but we didn't venture down it as we were pressed for time. This is worth a stop to bask in the beautiful seascape.

Lovely scenic stop along the PCH as you make your way up from Cambria towards Big Sur. There's a…read morerestaurant, gas station, great coffee shop, bathrooms, art work, some hiking and view points, and an inn all at this little stop area. I walked all the way to the back where there's a lovely overlook with expansive Pacific Ocean views all along the cliffs and out as far as the eye can see! I even saw a sea otter hanging out with a sea gull - playing around in the waves together haha!! I think the gull was chasing him and gobbling up the otter's leftovers lol. There's another hiking trail on site down to the black sands of Young Creek Beach - but it's a super steep hike down a 400 foot cliff and I wasn't feeling it lol! But there are lots of nice seating areas overlooking the trail, beaches and cliffs so it's still very enjoyable. I grabbed a coffee and some dessert at the coffee shop instead which I can highly recommend!! It was fantastic and the staff were wonderful (see my review for Ragged Point Coffee Shop & Bakery). At the time of my visit, it was about as far as you could go up the PCH to Big Sur bc the road further up is washed out but they're working on it. Still a great little spot to explore - lots of parking and great views. I'd definitely consider staying at the inn next time!