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)

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West southwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday
A chance of rain before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night
A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday
A 20 percent chance of rain before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. West northwest wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 61.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 65.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 64.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 64.