67°
Partly Sunny
0%
67
Monterey County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)
Sycamore Canyon Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920
The Big Sur beach with the famous Keyhole Arch and the purple-streaked sand (manganese garnet from the cliffs above). Reached via the narrow Sycamore Canyon Road off Highway 1 — easy to miss. Sunset through the arch is the photograph everyone wants.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
Cool but workable
Full NWS forecast for Today
Partly sunny. High near 67, with temperatures falling to around 64 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 1 to 8 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy. Low around 54, with temperatures rising to around 56 overnight. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Weather
- 67°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 60°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
73 /100
great
52 Swim
69 Sunbathe
80 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
67°F
Partly Sunny
Wind
1 to 8 mph
WNW
Rain
0%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
65°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Drizzle
Water
Water Temp
60°F
Cold
Next High Tide
8:05 PM
5.6 ft · in 5.3h
Barometer
29.96 inHg
Steady
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ565)
The MTR office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- CAZ505 SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ509 SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN MATEO COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ529 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ530 MONTEREY BAY AND BIG SUR COASTAL AREAS n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:51 AM
Sunset
11:28 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:03 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:47 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 1:31 PM | Low | 2.6 ft |
| 8:05 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
65°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Drizzle
1%
67
61°
Slight Chance Drizzle then Mostly Sunny
2%
50
65°
Sunny
0%
58
64°
Mostly Sunny
0%
59
62°
Mostly Sunny
3%
60
62°
Mostly Sunny
1%
60
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 60°F — dangerously cold
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Forest Service lot, $15/vehicle. Fills by mid-afternoon; arrive early or in the off-season.
Dogs
Dogs allowed leashed.
Entry Fee
$15/vehicle Forest Service day-use fee.
Address
Sycamore Canyon Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur).
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed leashed.
Is there an entry fee at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)?
$15/vehicle Forest Service day-use fee.
Are there lifeguards at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)?
No lifeguards are stationed at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)?
Amenities at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) include picnic tables, no restrooms or potable water on-site.
When is the water warmest at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) located?
Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) is in Monterey County, CA, at Sycamore Canyon Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS