Pfeiffer Beach Day Use

12/1/2024 - ALERT - After winter rain events, there is a high possibility for intermittent closures of Sycamore Canyon Road to Pfeiffer Beach.

Pfeiffer Beach is located in the Big Sur region of California. It is one of the most popular beaches on the Central Coast and is well known for Keyhole Rock. Due to the steep terrain prevalent along the Big Sur coast, it is one of the few ocean access points within Big Sur.

The entrance to Sycamore Canyon Road, a single-lane, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long access road, can be difficult to find. The road and the beach are within the Los Padres National Forest. The road is named for the Western Sycamores that grow along the road and near the beach. Because it is so narrow, pedestrians and recreational vehicles are not permitted on the road. The Forest Service has a superior easement on the road. There are only five spots along the road where two vehicles can pass each other. Visitor traffic along the road is seven to ten times that of local traffic.

The parking lot accommodates 65 vehicles and is usually full on summer and holiday weekends. When available, parking is $15 per vehicle.

The beach is open 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. No camping or fires are permitted. There are four picnic tables available. Swimming can be hazardous due to the cold water, rocks, and strong currents. The weather from June to August can be foggy and cold. No overnight camping.

The 1 mile (1.6 km) long beach is known for purple patches of sand that are occasionally visible, especially after rain. The purple color is caused by Manganese garnet that is eroded down from nearby hillsides.

The Pfeiffer family built the first home in Sycamore Canyon near the coast in the winter of 1869. Micheal and Barbara Laquet Pfeiffer were on their way to the south coast of Big Sur when they were forced to stop for the season in Sycamore Canyon.