Unearth The Voyage
Big Sur is where cliffs plunge into cobalt water and every bend reveals another jaw dropping horizon. If you crave coastal trails, sea wind, and the sound of waves, this guide lines up the best viewpoints without wasting your time.
You will get clear directions on what to expect, plus tips to catch golden light and quieter moments. Lace up, charge your camera, and let the Pacific do the rest.
McWay Falls Overlook Trail (Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP)
Start with the postcard. The McWay Falls Overlook Trail is short, gentle, and wildly photogenic, putting you right above an 80 foot waterfall that drops onto a pocket cove.
The ocean looks unreal here, shifting from emerald to electric blue as light changes.
You walk a simple path along the bluff with guardrails and interpretive signs, perfect when time is tight. Arrive early or late for softer light and fewer crowds, and bring layers since wind can bite.
Tripods are allowed, but be courteous and keep the walkway clear.
Stay behind fences to protect fragile cliffs and vegetation. You cannot go down to the beach, so plan your photos from the overlook and nearby viewpoints.
Watch for pelicans drafting the wind and kelp patches glowing beneath the surface.
Parking is limited, so patience helps. If the main lot is full, circle back later or pair this stop with Partington Cove.
You will leave with shots that feel cinematic, even on a foggy day.
Bluff Trail – Garrapata State Park
The Bluff Trail strings along sculpted cliffs where the sea thunders below and gulls ride thermals. Expect nonstop ocean views, blooming coastal sage, and poppies in spring.
The path is mostly easy, but watch footing near eroded edges.
Bring a windbreaker, because gusts can whip across the headlands. Pull off at turnout 18 or 19 to find trailheads and small loops that explore coves and rocky points.
Tide and swell shape the mood, from glassy calm to power and foam.
Photographers should scout foreground elements like iceplant edges and twisted driftwood to anchor wide shots. Wildlife shows up often, including harbor seals and occasional sea otters offshore.
Keep a respectful distance and use binoculars for a better look.
Late afternoon light skims the cliffs with warm tones, but morning fog can lend a moody vibe. The trail network invites short strolls or longer meanders linking coastal spurs.
You will finish salty haired and smiling, memory card well fed.
Soberanes Point Trail – Garrapata State Park
Soberanes Point rewards a moderate effort with cliff top vistas that scream Big Sur. The loop weaves over rocky knolls, offering angles into churning coves and sea arches.
Expect wind, textured skies, and sound that feels like a heartbeat.
Follow signed paths and avoid social trails that trample vegetation. Bring sturdy shoes for uneven rock and sandy steps.
Spring and fall usually give the clearest views, though fog can roll in fast.
Telephoto lenses compress the coastline into stacked headlands, while a polarizer cuts glare on the water. Wildlife sightings include cormorants, harbor seals, and migrating whales in season.
Pause at overlooks to feel the spray and watch kelp fronds sway.
Parking is roadside with limited spaces, so arrive early on weekends. This is a great trail to pair with the Bluff Trail for a full Garrapata day.
You will leave with windswept hair and a grin you cannot shake.
Partington Cove Trail (Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP)
Partington Cove packs drama into a short outing. The trail drops through a shaded canyon, then passes a historic tunnel toward a rocky inlet where waves slam and hiss.
Every step transitions from forest hush to ocean thunder.
Wear grippy shoes because the grade is steep on the way back. Spray laces the air near the cove, so protect your camera and phone.
On windy days the surf is mesmerizing, folding into jade tones over black rock.
Take time to study geology in the exposed cliffs and angular boulders. Tide shifts reveal kelp forests and sudden bursts of foam.
Keep a safe distance from the edge, especially when swells are large.
Parking is limited along Highway 1, so be patient and mindful of traffic. Combine this stop with McWay Falls for a compact, high impact day.
You will leave buzzing from the mix of tunnel history and raw ocean energy.
Cypress Grove Trail – Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos sits just north of Big Sur and the Cypress Grove Trail is its crown. Gnarled Monterey cypress cling to cliffs, framing turquoise coves and open Pacific.
The loop is short, flat, and perfect for slow looking.
Morning often brings fog that parts like curtains, adding depth to photos. Stay on trail to protect rare plants and fragile roots.
Benches invite lingering while surf booms in amphitheater like pockets below.
Bring binoculars for sea otters, cormorants, and seasonal whale spouts. A polarizer helps reveal underwater kelp patterns.
Even on busy days, the grove feels sacred, a wind sculpted gallery of bark and light.
Parking fills quickly, so arrive early or try weekday afternoons. Pair this loop with nearby Sea Lion Point for a bigger outing.
You will carry the scent of salt and cypress in your clothes long after.
Bird Island Trail – Point Lobos
The Bird Island Trail delivers a highlight reel in a tiny package. You will stroll past jade coves, sea lion haul outs, and a bridge to a lookout over the island itself.
The color palette swings from ivory sand to saturated blues.
It is an easy loop with some stairs and railings. Stay quiet near wildlife and give extra space during pupping season.
The viewpoints beg for panoramas and intimate details, so switch lenses often.
Sunset paints the cliffs peach and the water silver. Bring layers, because temperatures drop fast once the sun dips.
Even on foggy evenings, the silhouettes of birds looping over the surf feel cinematic.
Parking is limited, and the lot often turns over quickly. Combine with Cypress Grove or South Shore trails for variety.
You will leave with memory cards full of water texture and wingbeats.
Creamery Meadow Trail – Andrew Molera State Park
Creamery Meadow is your mellow path to big horizons. The trail crosses open fields toward the beach, where the river sometimes braids the sand before meeting the sea.
Expect wide sky, wind ripples in grass, and a soothing soundtrack of breakers.
Wear sandals or waterproof shoes if the river crossing is active. Photographers will love leading lines and expansive compositions that emphasize space.
On clear days, the coastline stacks southward in layered blues.
Birders should scan for red winged blackbirds and raptors working the thermals. The beach is spacious, great for long walks and minimal crowds.
Fog transforms everything into soft gradients that flatter portraits.
Stop by the park entrance for current river conditions and any detours. Pair this with the Headlands Trail if time allows.
You will feel your shoulders drop as the horizon opens and breath deepens.
Tanbark Trail to Tin House Loop
The Tanbark Trail climbs from redwood shade to ridge top freedom, then loops past the Tin House ruins. Elevation brings panoramic views where the Pacific meets serrated mountains.
This is a longer, sweat worthy hike with big rewards.
Bring solid footwear, water, and snacks, because switchbacks stack up quickly. Even on warm days, breezes can feel cool at the top.
The Tin House adds an eerie, photogenic stop with history and textures.
Use a wide angle for dramatic ridge lines, then zoom for distant headlands. Fog may pool below, creating cloud islands with cliffs poking through.
Watch footing on leaf litter and loose gravel during descent.
Parking is limited along the highway, so start early. This loop pairs nicely with a mellow coastal stroll afterward.
You will earn every view and love how the forest transitions to sky.
Panorama & Ridge Trails
These connected trails do exactly what their names promise. You climb through chaparral to sweeping vantage points where ocean and mountains share the stage.
The air feels thinner, cleaner, and full of hawk glide.
Expect a steady grade and exposure to sun, so pack water, hat, and sunscreen. The network allows out and back or loop options depending on time.
Switchbacks give changing views that reward every pause.
Photographers should chase side light to sculpt the ridges. Telephoto lenses stitch together layers of blue and green for painterly images.
On windy days, the soundtrack is rush and rustle.
Trail conditions can change after storms, so check current reports. Pair with Buzzard’s Roost for a full ridge themed day.
You will leave with that floaty feeling that only big vistas deliver.
Buzzard’s Roost Trail
Buzzard’s Roost climbs from forest cool to an airy perch with long views. The trail is moderate, weaving through redwood shade before breaking into chaparral.
At the top, you will find a small clearing perfect for snacks and photos.
Bring water and steady shoes, as some sections are rocky. Morning shade makes the ascent pleasant, while late afternoon offers warmer tones.
Fog can sweep quickly, turning the summit into a moody lookout.
Use a wide lens for the ocean plus valley composition. The bench, if free, adds a human element in frames.
Birds ride the thermals like kites, matching the trail’s name.
Parking is at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and trail signs are clear. Pair with the River Path or Valley View to round out your day.
You will descend relaxed, eyes full of layered horizons.
Valley View Trail
Valley View proves you do not need to hug the coast to score ocean horizons. The trail rises through redwood and oak, delivering a balcony over mountains with a silver ocean line beyond.
It is moderate and family friendly with steady grades.
Shade keeps temperatures reasonable, but carry water year round. Photographers will love the layered depth: trunks, ridges, then distant sea.
Wildlife includes jays, deer, and the occasional turkey vulture.
Golden hour adds glow to the ridges and dusts the ocean with glitter. A small spur to Pfeiffer Falls can extend the outing if open.
Pack a snack and enjoy the overlook bench when available.
Start from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and follow well marked signs. Pair with Buzzard’s Roost if your legs want more.
You will come away with a calm mind and classic layered Big Sur frames.
Trail to Jade Cove (via Plaskett Campground)
Jade Cove tempts with cliff edge drama and a reputation for green stones. The trail is short but steep in spots, dropping to overlooks that stare straight into the Pacific.
Even if you do not scramble to the beach, the views are worth the drive.
Wear sturdy shoes and watch your footing, especially after rain. Tides and swell can make the shoreline hazardous, so admire from safe perches.
Bring binoculars for whales and sea birds patrolling the cliff line.
Photographers should time low tide for texture rich scenes and jade hued rocks. Sunset can paint the water copper while clouds turn violet.
Fog often adds atmosphere rather than ruining the show.
Access is commonly from near Plaskett Campground with limited roadside parking. Respect posted rules about collecting and stay within legal zones.
You will leave feeling small in the best way possible.
Partington Ridge / Coast Trail Variants
The ridges above Partington stitch together a network of connectors that trade sweat for altitude. Every junction seems to open a new angle on cliffs and coves.
The Coast Trail variants let you sample both forest shade and open sky.
Carry extra water and a map or reliable app, since junctions can be confusing. Expect steady climbs and occasional loose sections.
When fog pools in canyons, the ridgeline rides above like an island.
Use wide lenses for grand scenes, then switch to telephoto to layer headlands. Birds of prey love these thermals, so look up.
Wind can howl, making a lightweight shell worth the weight.
Parking is roadside with few spots, so carpool if you can. Pair a ridge push with a cove visit for contrast.
You will finish sun kissed, legs humming, heart satisfied by views.
Garapata Beach Access + Rocky Ridge Spur
Combine a beach ramble with a quick pop up to a rocky ridge and you get two moods in one. Garrapata’s sand is broad, wave textured, and framed by low bluffs.
The spur climb grants a clean overlook of surf lines curling to shore.
Watch sneaker waves and keep a safe buffer on high tide days. Spring wildflowers sprinkle color along the approach.
Barefoot on sand, boots on ridge, it is a satisfying contrast in minutes.
Use a circular polarizer to tame glare and saturate the blues. The ridge lines up nicely for sunset compositions with leading surf.
Fog can roll in fast, softening edges and extending golden hour.
Access points dot Highway 1 with small pullouts, so note the one you used. Pair with Bluff Trail for a full Garrapata sampler.
You will drive away with hair salty and camera well used.
