The latest post in my series about driving California’s scenic Highway 1.
Caitlin at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The stretch of Highway 1 in California from San Simeon in the south to Monterey in the north has to be one of the most scenic road trips in the world. At every bend of the road we were treated to views of wild cliffs and beautiful saturated turquoise blue ocean and I found myself continually wanting to stop and admire the view and take photos. Of all the lovely beauty spots along this drive, my favourite was the lookout at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
This is me at the lookout with the view of the cliffs and coastline north of the park behind me. I look so summery! It was actually already October but the weather was sunny and warm and the sea gorgeous blue. It’s a five-minute easy walk from the car park to the lookout and if you fancy it, you can make a slight detour to check out an old-fashioned water mill along the way.
The coastline is spectacular but McWay Falls is what makes it truly special. As you walk along the path to the lookout you see it on your left – an 80-foot waterfall cascading from granite cliffs onto a sandy beach. There is no way down to the beach, so it is entirely untouched, which I found rather lovely and romantic.
If you continue along the path you come to a lookout with a northerly view of more gorgeous coastline, with aquamarine waters crashing against rocks and cliffs.
View to the north from lookout at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Beach and McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
McWay Falls at at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Close-up of McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Arguably the Highway 1 drive would be even more stunning heading south because the ocean is right beside you and there are more frequent turn-outs where you can pull over and admire the view. But with narrow, winding roads that are sometimes foggy and a sheer drop into the Pacific Ocean from the outside lane, we felt a tad safer heading north and having another lane as a buffer between us and the sea. Whichever way you drive it, you are bound to get your fix of beautiful scenery.
California is full of beautiful places like this that you can only drive to. This road trip was with my husband and in-laws but now I have my driving licence, I can do this sort of thing more often.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is in Big Sur country and is named after a pioneer woman from the area. The park stretches from the coast into nearby 3,000-foot ridges and features redwood, tan oak, madrone and chaparral. There are hiking trails that go up on the ridges, though some of them are temporarily closed because of the recent rains. The lookout is apparently a good place to see sea lions and sea otters and to spot passing whales in December and January.
The park is 37 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, and 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur.
This is a series on Highway 1 in California. Please tune in next week for the next installment and subscribe so you don’t miss out.
Related posts – Highway 1: Santa Cruz and the Lost Boys Railroad Bridge
Pescadero and the Duartes Tavern
Steinbeck country: The Carmel Valley Road
Photo Friday: Monster rocks at Point Lobos
I know the place well… I got married to my wife there. Just north of there, a few miles, there’s the Fernwood Resort where you can stay near the redwoods (which smell amazing), or the River Inn. Good restaurant there too, and a burrito stand inside their general store, better than expected.
And yes, the drive south is even more breathtaking, though hard to believe.
There are a bunch of art galleries and stores between JFB State Park & the beginning of Big Sur, and there’s the famous Esalen as well.
Personally, I think god created Big Sur once she got the hang of things, but before it got boring
.-= Jack – eyeflare travel´s last blog ..Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica =-.
Oh wow, what a fantastic spot for a wedding! Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to try the trip heading south some time – my parents-in-law made the decision to take the journey heading north. I think they were spooked by how narrow and winding Highway 1 is up in Point Reyes. – Caitlin.
Wow, spectacular pictures and a nice evocative post. The first time I camped here, raccoons stole my picnic lunch, which I left outside the tent while snoozing … Half of a roasted chicken, pasta salad … all gone. The rangers just laughed when I told them about it. If you get back to Big Sur and are in the mood for a good hike, check out the Sykes Camp hot springs, near the source of the Big Sur river. Amazing marble slabs along the water, hot pools in the craters left by overturned redwoods …
Great story about the raccoons! The Sykes Camp hike sounds lovely. We did a nice hike while we were in the area – but I’m saving that for another post. – Caitlin.
Make sure to go back in the summer! We stopped at the Swanton Berry Farm Stand (http://www.swantonberryfarm.com/) and had the best strawberries, ever. And not too, too far from San Francisco.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Serendipitous Spoleto =-.
We bought jam there! That’s on the stretch of road from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. – Caitlin.
I’m just editing this chapter of the new Frommer’s guide. I only wish my editing required yet another research trip back down there, as I haven’t been in that part in a year, but alas, it will have to wait until next time!
.-= Camels & Chocolate´s last blog ..Photo Friday: Ny-Alesund, Svalbard =-.
Caitlin, Great pics. It’s nice to see that such pristine areas still exist.
One of my favorite things about the California coastline is the juxtaposition of the ocean and mountains.
You’ve inspired me to take a trip along Highway 1. Can’t wait for the next installment.
That stretch of coast looks so much like Cornwall, it makes me want to get out of Bristol and get some open space, big skies and wild seas.
.-= Heather Cowper´s last blog ..Friday photo – Snow on the Downs in Bristol =-.
I adore Cornwall! I know what you mean about the Cornish cliffs and beaches and wild seas, though the climate and the landscape, colour of the rocks and earth, and flora and fauna, is quite different to the California coast. – Caitlin.
That is definitely one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in the U.S.
Mark´s last [type] ..California Car Insurance