Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
4.5
About
A breathtaking 80-foot waterfall dropping from the cliffs to the ocean is the focal point of this park.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
5 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,466 reviews
Excellent
1,057
Very good
296
Average
78
Poor
22
Terrible
13
TennisStar602
New Jersey712 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
A person must pay ten dollars ($10.00) to park at Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park, and then an individual must walk under a tunnel to a path which allows hikers to witness this beautiful waterfall. This waterfall is humble, but the views of it with the surrounding Pacific Ocean is breathtaking. The next door mountains are gigantic. There are awesome rock formations and a variety of unique plants. The access to go further down the hill is currently closed due to construction. I thought that the admission price was high due to the fact that the trail was curtailed, but the scenery was magnificent and it was totally worth my visit.
Written October 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melwashere81
Cleveland, TX3,441 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
There isn't much to do here other than hike to the viewing area at the top of the falls. It would have been nice to hike down to the beach and get some amazing views of the waterfall BUT most of the hikes are closed off due to recent fire damage. Its a shame because I would have loved to spend half the day hiking the trails. The trail to the falls isn't far but its really crowded so good luck getting a good view of the falls. With the park not being fully open its not worth the $10 admission just to see the falls. Maybe next time I come through the whole park will be open again....
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bambi12345
185 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
The view is beautiful, but there are a few downsides to consider. The place is quite small and there is only a single view point. If you drive though route 1, this stop is not very special. The parking costs 10$, you can pay cash only and need to have the exact amount.
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rahul Anand
United States45 contributions
Sep 2019
Big Sur, California drive is full of scenic beauty and McWay is one of them. No one can go near to fall, there is a small trail to go and see McWay Falls from the top. And there is a 10$ fee for car parking.
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Backpacker
San Luis Obispo, CA1,016 contributions
Jan 2020
I just spent last weekend camping at Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP Environmental Campsite 1. It was very nice! Beautiful scenery, clean port-a-potties, and trash/recycle cans. The surf provides this repetitive white noise that caused me to have a great night sleep.
My only issue is that the map shows the two sites as separated and one looks to be above the other one. But this is not the case. They are right by each other. So, you just have to hope your neighbor camper is quiet and considerate. I got lucky, but I was worried.
I am very glad I camped here, but probably wouldn't do it again, unless I was able to reserve both sites.
My only issue is that the map shows the two sites as separated and one looks to be above the other one. But this is not the case. They are right by each other. So, you just have to hope your neighbor camper is quiet and considerate. I got lucky, but I was worried.
I am very glad I camped here, but probably wouldn't do it again, unless I was able to reserve both sites.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rahul Anand
United States45 contributions
Sep 2019
Big Sur, California drive is full of scenic beauty and McWay is one of them. No one can go near to fall, there is a small trail to go and see McWay Falls from the top. And there is a 10$ fee for car parking.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteelCity13
Austin, TX901 contributions
Apr 2021
Great Park but not alot of the trails are open right now. This is the park you need to enter to see McWay Falls. Which is the waterfall that flows directly onto the beach. Would have loved to do more hikes in this beautiful park but they were all closed for safety. The trail for McWay falls and the trail for Partington are open. Partington trail is a short but very scenic trail that goes over wooden bridges, through beautiful redwoods, in and out of tunnels and have great ocean coves to explore. Its a very great little hike that anyone can do.
Written May 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TedSeattle
Seattle31 contributions
Sep 2022
The view isn't bad, but nothing out of the ordinary for the region, and not worth the $10 parking fee or the hassle of negotiating the cramped, crowded parking area. There are plenty of spots along the highway that are easy to pull off onto where the views are better. Also, don't believe any website that says you can see redwoods here. There is only a short path to the shore, nothing more.
Written September 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristi M
Arizona53 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Our first time here. Using the directions provided by other travelers on TA we were able to find the turn off with no problems! The road is narrow but scenic. The parking area is small but we were able to grab a spot at 2:00pm on the first try. The views are beautiful! We are glad we went however... the wind was so bad the sand was pelting us non-stop. We tried to find area that might be less windy but there were none! We should have worn our goggles so we could see without the sand getting in our eyes. Maybe is was an overly windy day? We don't know. We did not stay as long as we had hoped because the sand in our eyes was too much. We would absolutely go again! The views are worth it. We had expectations of sitting on the beach enjoying the views or maybe hiking around. The wind/sand was too intense during our visit to do that.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky053
Bloomington, IN271 contributions
Jun 2021
This visit was a disappointment after seeing this about 10 years ago. Much of the area is closed off, including the path to the former house site. That, to me, was the most special spot, affording 180 degree views of the ocean area and seeing what a nirvana place to have a house would be.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will this be ok to visit with a 2 yr old? I’ve read in the reviews that the falls is just a 5-10 min hike from the parking lot. Any other trails or places to look at? Will be visiting in june 2024
Written May 21, 2024
Can anyone tell me if the Mcway falls area is currently open with the Dolan fire?
thanks
kim
Written October 9, 2020
Olá! este local tem estacionamento para Motorhome? Saberia informar o valor?
Precisa tem ingresso para entrar nesse local? Se sim, saberia o valor?
Obrigada
Written February 10, 2020
Is the trail open for Mcway waterfall and are you able to get to the viewing platform?
Written September 20, 2019
It is true that you can see the falls from the point at which the trail is closed but if your only reason to enter the park is to see the falls, save your money and view the falls from the roadside pullout which is free.
Written September 21, 2019
Ciao! ho veramente tanto bisogno di un informazione? Percorrerò la Highway 1 per arrivare a Los Angeles e volevo andare a vedere le McWay Falls che sono in questo parco... guardando la cartina mi sembra praticamente di dover proseguire sulla Highway e trovarmi praticamente nel parco, è così oppure devo fare una deviazione per poi tornare sulla Highway per proseguire verso Los Angeles ? ti ringrazio
Written July 21, 2019
wolf668
India
1 contribution
I’m not sure if it is just 3 parks. We drove to Point Lobos, Pfeiffer Big Sur, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State parks on a single day with the $10 Receipt which we got at Point lobos. I guess all state parks in the area are accessible for the day with a single entry, not sure though you can ask a ranger at the first park you visit
Written September 12, 2019
Hi, I am traveling from Pacific Grove to perhaps stay in Carpinteria. I have never stayed here. Any suggestions if this is a good stop. I will be driving the scenic route from Pacific Grove to Carpinteria. I do not want the fastest route as I have a friend with me that has never seen the coast. Can you tell me how long it will take with stops of coarse? Also are there any road closures still in effect? We will be traveling on 9/15 which is a Saturday morning. My flight leaves at noon so I will need to be to LAX by 10:00. I know you cannot take the 1 the whole way as it winds inland. Can you refresh my memory where we have to leave the 1 and where we pick it up again? Thanks for everything. I love Trip Advisor.
Written April 6, 2018
The road is closed about 30 miles south of this park. I’d suggest if you still want to see Big Sur that you go south about 8 miles past the park to Nacemiento Road which is a gravel but decent road that crosses the mountain and takes you over to 101. It’s quite curvy but unless you’re a nervous driver it shouldn’t be a problem. It’s beautiful near the top of the mountain and unbelievable views of the entire coast. Enjoy!
Bill
Written April 7, 2018
Hi I will be driving from pacific grove to Santa Barbara for 1 night then to lax.
What are suggestions to do in Santa Barbara's for a night?
I will be traveling in mid sept 2018 so and wish to take the 1 the whole way. Will there be any road closures from past landslides I should be aware of? What are your interesting suggestions on must see spots? How long will it take to drive from PG or Santa Barbara with stops?
Written February 18, 2018
By then all road closures due to mud slides should be open again. Must see items along Big Sur. Elephant seals just north of Hearst Castle, well marked with signs. Julia Pfeffer Burns State Park. Walk to the ocean to see the water falls that spills into the surf. Quite possibly the most beautiful state park in the whole country. Ragged Point Restaurant for dinner at sunset. Absolutely exquisite!!
Written February 20, 2018
…
Showing results 1-10 of 42
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing