While Big Sur's beaches hardly resemble the vast stretches of sun-baked sand that dot Southern California's easily accessible coastline, they do offer the visitor a wide variety of recreational possibilities. Even during the summer, Big Sur's beaches are subject to generally cool weather. Sunny days are sporadic as a blanket of seasonal fog often hugs the coastline, dropping the temperature in the process. To be prepared, bring a change of warm clothes. Also, bring a pair of sturdy shoes -- Big Sur's beaches require at least a short hike.
Private property and Big Sur's steep terrain make most of its coastline inaccessible to the public. Fortunately for the visitor, however, several State Park and U.S. Forest Service beaches are open to the public all year. These beaches are recommended due to easy access and spine-tingling scenery. Located 23 miles south of Carmel, Andrew Molera State Park is the largest state park on the Big Sur Coast. A wide, scenic, mile-long path leads to a sandy beach that is sheltered from the wind by a large bluff to the north. The path itself is as much a delight as the beach, taking you through a meadow filled with wildflowers and sycamore trees and offering fine views of the coastal mountain range to the east. The path parallels the Big Sur River, which enters the sea adjacent to Molera's beach.
Although Pfeiffer Beach is Big Sur's most popular coastal access point, this beach is hard to find if you've never been to it before. The trick is locating unmarked Sycamore Canyon Road. Here's a tip: Sycamore Canyon Road is the only paved, ungated road west of Highway One between the Big Sur post office and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Once you find the turnout, make a very sharp turn. Then follow the road for about two miles until it ends. Drive carefully -- this is a narrow and winding road and is unsuitable for trailer traffic. From a large parking area at the end of the road, a short, well-marked path leads to the beach. Cliffs tower above this stretch of sand, and a large arch-shaped rock formation just offshore makes for some dazzling sunsets.
Just a mile south of the U.S. Forest Service Station in Pacific Valley and 14 miles north of the San Luis Obispo County line is Sand Dollar Beach. From a large parking lot across Highway One from Plaskett Creek Campground, a well-built stairway leads to a crescent-shaped beach that is protected from the wind by bluffs. Sand Dollar offers visitors the widest expanse of sand along the Big Sur Coast, and possibly the mildest weather. Standing on the beach and looking northeast, towering 5,155-foot Cone Peak is visible. For an interesting side-trip, visit Jade Cove, which is located two miles south of Sand Dollar Beach. Big Sur's south coast is famous for its jade reserves, and Jade Cove is a popular spot for beachcombers and rockhounds.
