If you’re looking for things to do around Big Sur, the Pfeiffer Falls Trail is a fun, easy hike to do with the family. Located next to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, the trailhead starts at the Big Sur Lodge, and the hike is just over a mile round trip.
See The Full Detailed Video Below
Pfeiffer Falls Trail Visiting Information
- Website:
- GPS coordinates:
- 36.25105143868416, -121.78341040580726
- Be sure to download the map to use offline before heading out just in case there isn’t any cell phone reception in the area.
- Phone:
- 831-667-1112
- Dates & Hours:
- 8 am to sunset.
- Dates and hours of operations may change. We recommend calling them or checking their website for any updates.
- Price/Cost:
- $10 Day Use per vehicle.
- How much we spent during our visit:
- Total: $17.50
- $10 Day Use Fee
- $7.50 A drink and ice cream
- Total: $17.50
- Parking:
- Parking included with the Day Use entrance fee.
- Activities:
- Hiking
- Time spent:
- 2 hours
- Places to eat:
- Big Sur Deli (47080 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920) – 1.9 miles away – A great place to pick up a quick meal and snacks to take on your hike. This is the least expensive option in the area.
- Big Sur Bakery (47540 CA-1, Big Sur, Ca 93920 – 2 miles away – Another great place to pick up some treats or to dine in.
- Pet allowed:
- Yes, dogs are allowed on the Warden’s Path and River Path, and in day-use lots and campgrounds. Dogs are not allowed on all other trails.
- Stroller friendly:
- No
- Restrooms:
- Yes, located at Day Use Lot #1. We packed our disposable urine bag, compostable toilet bag and Suds2go portable hand wash cap for the hike.
Extra info
- What we observed:
- 3/6/23 – The Pfeiffer Falls trail is currently closed but you can still access the waterfall coming from the Valley View trail.
- You can get trail updates here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29833
- The hike from the Day Use Lot #1 to the Pfeiffer Falls Trail is 1.8 miles out and back.
- The Pfeiffer Falls trail is well maintained and has plenty of shade. There were a lot of steps and we carried both our girls up. Trang was out of breath but it was a great workout.
- The other option to head back is the Valley View trail which has no shade or no stairs.
- The waterfall is 60 feet and the area isn’t very large. We visited in July and the waterfall was minimal. If it’s crowded, it might take a bit to get a photo with the waterfall in the background. We went in the morning and had no issues.
- If you aren’t traveling with other families to keep your kids entertained, snacks are a must to keep them happy.
- 3/6/23 – The Pfeiffer Falls trail is currently closed but you can still access the waterfall coming from the Valley View trail.
- Clothing:
- Check the weather before you go. The weather can be changeable; layered clothing and closed toe shoes are recommended.
- What we packed:
- Sunscreen, lip sunscreen, insect repellent, bug bite suction, big bite relief ointment, sunglasses, hat, hiking boots, hiking poles, shoulder carriers, sandwiches, fruits, veggies, snacks, water, water wipes, Suds2go cap, disposable urine bag, and compostable toilet bag.
You can get the links to all our travel essentials here: Travel Essentials | Califoreigners
More Things to do Around BIg Sur
- Where to stay:
- Fernwood Campground
- Big Sur Campground
- Ventana Campground
- Ways to save money:
- Pack a meal, snacks and water.
- Other places to visit in the county:
- Our itinerary up the coast:
- Camped at Plaskett Creek Campground.
- Sand Dollar Beach – best to go during low tide.
- Camped at Kirk Creek Campground.
- Gamboa Point – quick stop for a gorgeous view point.
- McWay Falls Trail – Short and easy hike to the falls.
- Partington Cove Trail – Another great hike for the kids.
- Nepenthe Restaurant – Stop for coffee or dine with a beautiful view.
- Ventana campground – Wasn’t able to stay here because they do not accommodate camper vans.
- Pfeiffer Beach – you can find small pockets of purple sand. We were too nervous to take our camper van in so we had to skip this stop.
- Pfeiffer Falls Trail – 1.8 mile hike through redwoods trees to the falls.
- Camped at Fernwood Campground – You can also purchase a day use pass to access the river if you aren’t staying at their campground.
- Fernwood General Store – make a quick stop for Lappert’s ice cream.
- Camped at Big Sur Campground and Cabins – swim and tube in the river.
- Big Sur River Inn – Order take out, eat, and get your feet wet on their wooden chairs right in the river.
- Bixby Creek Bridge – The parking lot was full so we had to skip this stop.
- Garrapata Bluff Trail – A nice short hike with the kids.
- Camped at Carmel by the River RV Park.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium.
- Pls pack in, pack out and leave no trace.
- Follow us on Instagram @thecaliforeigners, Youtube @Califoreigners, TikTok @Califoreigners
What We Said In Our Pfeiffer Falls Trail Video
We entered the park, paid the day-use fee at the gate, and parked at the closet lot nearest the entrance.
Before walking back towards the lodge on a path leading to the trailhead. Which has plenty of shade and a couple of interesting landmarks.
Once you get to the trailhead, you’ll start up towards the waterfall at a steady incline. It’s an interesting, well-maintained trail. With a wooden bridge and plenty of staircases to help make the incline easier. While it is not intense, it’s enough to break a sweat. Especially carrying the kids if they decide they’re done with hiking, so bring water and snacks.
Eventually, the trail levels out a bit, and you’ll start wondering where the waterfall is just as it rounds the corner. We visited in July, and the waterfall wasn’t flowing much. Compared to other waterfalls we’ve been to around California, Prefifer Creek’s wasn’t impressive. Speaking to another hiker, we were told it usually has a stronger flow, but the lack of rain hasn’t helped.
At the waterfall, you can relax on a couple of benches near its base, but it’s an awkward spot to take photos, and a wooden fence keeps you at a distance. That being said, there is another view of the falls slightly down the hill that provides an unencumbered view of it without the wooden fence in the way that we liked more.
From there, you have two options. You can retrace the way you came or head right and loop around to the other side of the creek to take the Valley View Trail back down to the lodge.
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Big Sur Campgrounds, Big Sur, CA
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