66°
Sunny
0%
54
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 photography.
59°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Weather
- 66°F air — cool but workable
- 21 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 59°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
63 /100
good
31 Swim
53 Sunbathe
74 Walk
75 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 0.5 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
66°F
Sunny
Wind
21 mph
NW
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
67°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
59°F
Cold
Barometer
30.01 inHg
1016 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 7mo 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
8:50 AM
Sunset
11:20 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 7:41 AM | Low | -0.6 ft |
| 3:09 PM | High | 3.5 ft |
| 6:27 PM | Low | 3.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
67°
Sunny
0%
54
68°
Sunny
0%
63
62°
Sunny
0%
46
62°
Sunny
0%
55
64°
Mostly Sunny
4%
55
66°
Mostly Sunny
5%
63
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 21 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 59°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