BeachHidden gem
Pfeiffer Beach
Big Sur, California
Purple-tinged sand and a keyhole rock where the light shines through in winter.
- Cost
- Paid
- Booking
- No need to book
- Time to allow
- 75 min

A rugged beach with purple sand from manganese garnet and a famed arch in Keyhole Rock. The access road is narrow and unsigned off Highway 1. Large vehicles are not allowed, and it fills fast.
Good to know
- Turn onto Sycamore Canyon Road, narrow and steep
- No campervans or trailers
- Wind is strong, bring layers
- Check current access conditions
- Best time
- Late afternoon, winter for the sun through the keyhole
- Getting there
- Narrow sealed road, small lot
- Vehicles
- No campervans
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.
Know what the drive costs
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