McWay Falls - California Waterfalls; Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur-hike/trail/map/directions

McWay Falls is an incredibly scenic waterfall. McWay Creek drops 84 ft. off a cliff onto the beach nestled in a pretty little cove. The overlook view of the cove where the waterfall drops, is stunning to say the least. Unfortunately, you cannot get down onto the scenic beach (legally), as the cliffs are too crumbly and dangerous to descend (and if you try it, be prepared to receive a very hefty fine). I think, though, if it were possible to get down to the beach, this waterfall would lose something of its grandeur and mystique. The view is stunning, and the waterfall is alluring and out of reach. It adds to the beauty in my opinion.

The great thing about McWay Falls is that it flows year-round. The waterfall is fed from underground springs on McWay Creek, and the waterfall thus has constant flow throughout the year (though of course, the flow is stronger in the spring).

The path continues past the waterfall a short distance to some ruins of an old stone "waterfall house", owned by Lathrop and Helen Hooper Brown in the 1940s. Not much is left of the house, but it is an interesting site. The park was named after Browns friend, Julia Pfeiffer Burns, who was a pioneer and cattle ranch owner in the Big Sur area. There is also an awesome view of the Big Sur coastline in the other direction. The entire Big Sur coastline is outstanding. The best photo opportunities of McWay Falls and the coastline are at sunset. I highly recommend being at McWay Falls at sunset, though it is a popular place for other photographers and sunset gawkers.

11 Miles SE Big Sur CA (Elev. 653 ft)

Tonight
Mostly clear, with a steady temperature around 47. North wind around 8 mph.
Saturday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 55. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
A 40 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 46. West northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday
Rain. High near 55. Southeast wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South southwest wind around 6 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday
A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday
A chance of rain after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Tuesday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Wednesday
A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Wednesday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Thursday
A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Thursday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.