One Of California's Most Scenic Waterfalls Is A Beachfront Paradise On The Big Sur Coast

California's central coast is a magical place of sheer cliffs, deep woods, rocky shoreline, and hidden beach towns, like this "little slice of paradise." This is especially true for Big Sur, which boasts some of the most unspoiled nature on a stretch of coastline where the competition is fierce. This part of California has long attracted writers, artists, and nature lovers keen to soak up its singular ambiance, and one visit will explain why. 

When it comes to waterfalls on the west coast, we often think of the Pacific Northwest, which is home to thousands of stunning cascades — like these enchanting falls in Oregon with scenic hiking trails. California, however, boasts a few of its own, including Big Sur's McWay Falls, which is only one of eight falls in the entire US that flows into the ocean.

Accessed by a hiking path straight off Highway 1 in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, a visit to McWay Falls is also an opportunity to savor the views of a hidden cove along with arresting vistas up and down the coast. It's exactly the kind of unspoiled attraction that Big Sur offers up in spades, and the best thing is that it's super easy to get there. 

McWay Falls is located off California's iconic Highway 1, a winding road famous for its stunning views. To access this 80-foot tidefall, simply pull off the highway into the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park parking lot, pay the $10-per-vehicle fee, and hit the trail. A set of wooden stairs takes you to a tunnel under Highway 1, and from there just follow the short path, where several viewpoints allow unobstructed vistas of the falls. While it may be a bit disappointing that you can only take in McWay Falls from a distance, this doesn't lessen the effect of witnessing such a rare cascade in person, especially at high tide, when the water appears to be falling directly into the surging sea below.

At low tide, the sand of the little cove McWay Falls calls home is exposed, and though you may be tempted to make your way down and relax on the perfect little beach, it remains off-limits. This is a strict look-but-don't-touch kind of site, and you risk a hefty fine if you break the rules.

McWay Falls is no secret, meaning it can get crowded, especially at sunset, when locals and visitors alike flock to the spot to watch the sun sink behind the horizon. While sunrise isn't quite as dramatic, it still bathes the scene in a kind of soft, perfect light, and if you go then, you just may have the place to yourself.

McWay Falls is by no means Big Sur's only worthwhile gem, the area is rich in spellbinding attractions, including Bixby Bridge. Completed in 1932, this concrete and steel span stretches above a canyon 260 feet below. Not only does it offer dazzling views of the Pacific and local coastline, it's a beautiful structure in its own right, and demands that you stop and shoot a few pics.

Another Big Sur must-see is Pfeiffer Beach. Accessed via a hard-to-spot (and signless) narrow road, this piece of shoreline is renowned for its jagged rock formations and purple sands, making it a little piece of Instagrammable heaven. Keep on the lookout for wildlife such as otters, seals, whales, and — soaring updrafts high above the ocean — the once critically-endangered California condor.

While you're in the neighborhood, make sure to also hit the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. This 1,000-acre preserve at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains features hiking and biking paths through towering stands of redwoods, a waterfall, as well as the Big Sur River — an idyllic swimming spot during summer heat. This gorgeous park is also home to a campground, along with Big Sur Lodge, an old-school backwoods establishment with 61 cottage-style rooms tucked away in the forest. For more of California's magical central coast, check out this underrated beach for a laid-back vacation.