Anyone have updates on Pfeiffer Beach closure?

Newport Beach...
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Anyone have updates on Pfeiffer Beach closure?
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I’ve been following the reopening of Big Sur state parks pretty closely since the big storms earlier this month. We’re making our annual trip up from SoCal mid-February (I know we’ll have to enter from the north) and I’m REALLY crossing my fingers Pfeiffer Beach will be reopened by then, as it’s a really special place for us. But I haven’t been able to find any updates online about how severe the damage was there/when they predict being able to reopen. I can only find that the beach is still “temporarily closed.” Does anyone have any insight?

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Aptos, California
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1. Re: Anyone have updates on Pfeiffer Beach closure?
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I tried to find info online as well and couldn’t find much of anything either. Just a closure notice from Los Padres National Forest.

I follow Riverside Campground on Facebook and they had some posts of the doorway arch last week that seemed new but that could be from someone that lives on the road in to the beach.

I’m guessing landslide and road washouts were abundant there given the terrain.

Maybe follow Riverside Campgrounds and/or Fernwood Resort on Facebook if you have an account, they both post frequently and can ask if they have information.

Edited: 9:27 am, January 29, 2023
Grover Beach...
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The current focus is getting several slides on Highway 1 cleared. Latest estimate I saw on that a few days ago was 3 to 4 weeks. And that's without further storm damage. I doubt the road to Pfeiffer Beach is a priority right now.

Los Angeles...
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I wonder if the staff at The Big Sur Station would know? It’s like a visitor center and it is located right at the turn off to Pfeffer Beach. (It’s really nice and they’re super helpful there.)

Info from the chamber website:

Big Sur Station ("Ranger Station") (831) 667-2315. Personnel are available Everyday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (PST). Big Sur Station has information about hiking, camping, backpacking, road conditions and more.

Grover Beach...
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There's a Big Sur Information page on Facebook where I found a notice that Sycamore Canyon Road has been undermined. A photo was included that showed part of the structure (soil) under the roadway has been washed away.

Might want to follow that FB link for updates to Pfeiffer Beach re-opening, but I doubt it will be repaired by the time of your visit.

Newport Beach...
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5. Re: Anyone have updates on Pfeiffer Beach closure?
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Thanks all! To be honest, the road conditions down to the beach didn’t even dawn on me. I assumed the beach was closed because they closed all state parks in the area. This makes much more sense and, while I’ll continue to monitor, I won’t get my hopes up :/

Monterey, California
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Went down there and talked to a ranger. The way he described it was that the beach is all but gone and totally washed away. They're waiting for the USFS to send equipment down there to reconstitute the beach. He did have any actual guidance as to when it might re-open, but roughly speculated maybe by October.

Edited: 12:21 pm, May 05, 2023
Grover Beach...
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Thank you for your efforts, Brandon. The info you acquired will help all of us give more detailed responses to those planning a Big Sur visit in the near future. Just WOW! about the beach being gone. 😔

Aptos, California
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Thank you. Very sad but good to know.

We’re wondering when the sand will come back to some Santa Cruz County beaches too. Pfeiffer must be at similar angle that did so much damage to the coast of northern Monterey Bay.

Los Angeles...
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Oh wow! My goodness, I had no idea the beach was washed away. So sad. :(

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