//
Photo: US government, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Stairs lead to the beach. Largest expanse of sand in Big Sur and also well protected from wind.
Sand Dollar Beach is a .5 miles (0.80 km) long beach in Big Sur, California, one of the longest publicly accessible beaches on that coast. It is within the Los Padres National Forest. The beach is 3.7 miles (6.0 km) north of the small commercial center of Gorda and 38.5 miles (62.0 km) north of Cambria. It is 25 miles (40 km) south of Big Sur Village on Highway 1.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Monastery offering guided retreats; also sells gifts and food items.
The 3,762-acre park is home to McWay Falls, one of the most spectacular places anywhere in Big Sur. The falls drop 80 feet directly onto the beach or tide. There is a hike out to a viewpoint but it can also be seen from the turnout about 1 mi north of the main entrance. The park is also home to ancient coast redwoods that stand 300 feet tall and are over 2,500 years old. The beach is not accessible due to hazardous cliffs.
The wilderness covers 240,026 acres. Within the wilderness area alone there are 237 miles of trails and 55 designated camping areas. As of Oct 2026, the Pine Ridge trail which begins in Big Sur is closed due to the Timber and Plaskett Fires. As an alternative, consider the Mt. Manual Trail into the Little Sur River watershed. It is accessible from within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. A second alternative is the North Coast Ridge Road trail which is accessible from behind the Ventana Inn. Both are strenuous uphill climbs, gaining 3,000 feet in elevation in less than four miles.
There are hiking trails through redwood groves. For a short hike through beautiful redwood forests, try the Valley View Trail, or the Pfeiffer Falls Trail (1.4-mile round trip) to a 60-foot waterfall that runs from Dec to May.
Pfeiffer Beach is known for the huge rock towers that emerge from the water, one of which has a natural keyhole through which the sunset can be viewed at the right time of year. The sand can have a purple hue due to manganese garnet (dig down a bit to find it). Swimming is possible although there is a strong undertow. Sycamore Canyon Rd is unmarked and easy to miss from Highway 1 (it will be the only paved and non-gated road to the west in the area). The winding road is one-lane and shared with local residents, and the parking area only accommodates sixty vehicles and is often full. You can park at the Pine Ridge Trailhead on Highway 1 and walk.
Miles of trails, beaches, and meadows. The 24 primitive camp sites were closed "indefinitely" in 2021.