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Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur – Famous Purple Sand Beach

Big Sur is one of our favorite places in the US. Anytime we drive by, we make a stop at McWay Falls and try to explore a spot we haven’t seen before. On our last visit, we decided to check out Pfeiffer State Beach, which is known for Keyhole Arch, a beautiful rock formation, and for its purple sand.

Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur California is famously known for its purple sand // localadventurer.com

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Last Updated: June 22, 2020

Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur - Famous Purple Sand Beach

As you’ll see below, we took a ton of photos. We still want to go back to shoot Keyhole Rock when the sun is coming through the window but we were lucky enough to catch some of the purple sand during our visit.

Getting to Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach takes a bit of effort and planning to find. Just south of Big Sur Station is an unmarked road called Sycamore Canyon Road which winds its way 2 miles down a windy road to the parking lot.

When we were looking for it, we made sure to pull it up on google maps when we still had service, which can be very spotty in the area, and left it on our phone so it didn’t lose its marker. It’s also the only paved, ungated road heading west of Highway One between the Big Sur post office and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Once you arrive at the parking area, keep in mind that there are limited spaces so you may have to wait for someone to leave if it’s busy.

Pro Tip: The road is so narrow that trailers won’t make it down this road.

Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its purple sand beach // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com

Why is the Sand Purple?

The purple hues are caused by the different minerals present in the sand. Sand is usually mostly composed of quartz, but at this beach you will find areas of concentrated garnet. You won’t see purple sand every visit, but the best chances are after it rains.

If it’s your first time visiting, you might be underwhelmed by the color, since the whole beach isn’t purple and most of the photos you see online are probably enhanced to make the colors more vibrant (I know we brought it up a notch). However, you will find a few stretches of purple, usually under running streams of water or collected under the trees and plant life.

Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Purple Sand Beach in California USA // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Purple Sand Beach in Big Sur California - Pfeiffer Beach, Monterey County // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer State Beach - famously known for its purple sand is in Big Sur, Monterey County, California // localadventurer.com

About Keyhole Rock or Keyhole Arch

Keyhole Rock, or Keyhole Arch, is the main centerpiece of Pfieffer Beach. Once you walk down to the beach, it’s hard to miss. It’s mesmerizing to watch the water rushing through the small window.

Between November to January, the sunset lines up with the archway creating a beautiful show of light. The glow through the arch makes it look like a doorway to another world.

Unfortunately, since the angle of the sunset gradually changes, there isn’t an exact date on the perfect time, but it’s typically in the middle of the date range. Between Christmas and New Years, it’s always busy at the beach since people have that time off, but if you go shortly afterwards in early January, you’ll find thinner crowds.

Pro Tip: If you plan on taking photos, don’t forget your tripod and ND filters. Also, if it’s crowded right in front of the arch, look for other views.

Pfeiffer State Beach - famously known for its purple sand is in Big Sur, Monterey County, California // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its purple sand beach // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer State Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its purple sand beach // localadventurer.com
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California - famously known for its unique purple sand // localadventurer.com
Purple Sand Beach in Big Sur California - Pfeiffer Beach, Monterey County // localadventurer.com

Essential Tips

  • There is a $10 cash only fee.
  • You cannot bring trailers, RVs, or oversized vehicles. The road is narrow and is a one lane road without many pullouts.
  • There are two parking areas, but they can fill up.
  • There are primitive bathrooms in the parking lot.
  • It’s a 5-minute walk from the parking lot to the beach.
  • Bring beach clothes and flip flops.
  • It can get really windy on this beach, so secure all your loose items including hats.

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What’s another unique beach you’ve been to or want to visit?

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Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

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