Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Tall redwoods, rushing river water, and mountain peaks. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has all of that and more.

We left Monterey early on the morning of October 18. Our first stop of the day was at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, where we’d been completely blown away. Eager to see what the trip down the coast would bring, we headed toward Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park with high hopes. We were not disappointed.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

This park is on the western slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains about one-third of the way between Carmel and San Simeon. Driving through the park to one of the day-use areas, mountain peaks rose to our left and the Big Sur River meandered to our right. Everything about the park seemed to exude serenity.

Before setting up for a leisurely lunch at one of the many picnic tables, we went for a walk. The trail we took, which was lined with redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders and willows, followed the banks of the Big Sur River. When the trail connected to a bridge across the river, we crossed over and reversed our path.

The Big Sur River, which flows through the Ventana Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest, is almost 16 miles long. Rain falling in the nearby mountains feed the river. It seems very uncharacteristic for California, but some of the higher elevations receive over 50 inches of rainfall per year. That much runoff helps make this the largest river by volume on the Big Sur coast. 

California’s recent rains

In January 2023, the heavy rains in California temporarily closed the park. I hope this very popular park won’t be closed for long. It was such a tranquil stop on our journey, and I’d love to go back later this year. 

Did you see last week’s entry? You can find it at Three iconic views from Point Lobos. Click here to view more Friday Morning Post entries, or you can follow me on Instagram.