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
Pfeiffer Beach
Bittertabitha · CC BY-SA 4.0

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.

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