Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

McWay Cove, McWay Falls overlook trail

One of California’s most iconic and most photographed locations is McWay Falls, part of the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Less than ten years ago, I was alone on the overlook trail. Today, tourists step on each other’s toes.

It is no surprise. The serene beauty of this place will blow you away. A secret cove, a waterfall that plunges into the ocean, and turquoise waters seem to stem from the imagination of a painter, yet the unspoiled nature of this park is real. The solitude is all but gone these days, but you can still capture the essence of this place, thanks to the non-existent access to the beach below.

Understandably, most people come to see McWay Cove and leave in a rush to see even more of Big Sur’s beautiful coastline. However, if you have time, you should consider the canyon hike opposite to the overlook trail that leads you through a coastal forest to yet another waterfall. Not nearly as spectacular, the refreshing hike offers a pleasant diversion from the day’s driving and from the crowds.

Do not miss California’s most spectacular beach cove!

How to get there

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is located about 39 miles south of Carmel, 11 miles south of Big Sur and about 52 miles north of San Simeon. A sign will announce the park, the entrance of which leads east of the road, into a small canyon. The falls are opposite the entrance. You can catch a glimpse of them about 200m north of the entrance from the road.

Highway 1 often is washed away during the raining season, which can last until May. Check the road conditions on the park website and on the California Department of Transportation website (links in the resource section below) to find out if you can reach the park from your end.

GPS position

36° 9’32.05″N 121°40’13.81″W

How to photograph Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park

McWay Falls

McWay Cove with McWay Falls is spectacular. The overlook trail (see image in the introduction) is the best option to photograph this natural wonder. From the road above the overlook, you can find a slightly different view. The small pullout is located about 200m or 0.13 miles north of the entrance to the park. I took both images of the falls from the trail and I recommend taking the trail, since it offers you the most variety of compositions.

The cove should be on your list of places along Highway 1, even though it is difficult to create a picture that is uniquely yours in a location photographed as much as this.

The image in the introduction is a high dynamic range panoramic photograph. I combined three vertical pictures times three exposures each (9 pictures) into a very wide-angle composition. Purposely including the trail to create something different, I took advantage of the late time and the long exposure to show an empty trail, which is a deception. I shot the photograph about 20 minutes after sunset. The color in the clouds had already begun to fade and everyone but one couple had left. The long exposure helped me to make the moving people invisible in this shot.

The vertical composition above shows the waterfall much larger. As the late afternoon sun hit the fern in the foreground, it was shimmering golden, begging to be included in this composition. The longer focal length emphasizes the waterfall even more. You have to look for it in the image from the introduction, due to the small size. However, the image has a very high resolution and when it is blown up, the waterfall looks gorgeous.

Canyon Falls (image by Eric Chan)

The canyon trail is a nice diversion. I hiked it a long time ago, but during my most recent visits, the park service had closed it, lacking the funds to repair damaged bridges. Eventually the trail should open again. Do not forget to bring your tripod. The dense forest canopy is perfect for long exposures that make the waterfall look like a veil of silk.

Best Time of the Day and Best Season

Sunset is by far the best time to visit the park. Most people will have left by the time the sun sets, except for a few latecomers. After your visit, you will have to drive along the most scenic route in California in complete darkness, which is why not everyone will have the luxury to come here for sunset. The afternoon light is also superb and in this case, you will still be able to enjoy Highway 1 afterwards.

The angle of the sun for afternoon light is best in summer, when it lights the entire waterfall. In winter, the bottom part of the falls may be in the shade (see picture in the previous section). However, the winter clouds make the sunsets more spectacular and the location of the sun lets you include it in your composition.

Therefore, winter is best for sunset photos whereas summer is best for afternoon photos.

Time required

It takes less than 30 minutes to see the waterfalls. The overlook trail takes no more than 5 minutes each way. If you plan to hike the Canyon, you need to add two more hours. Check the park website. During my previous visits, the canyon trail was closed.

Equipment

Normal Zoom Lens
CP filter
ND Filter to slow down exposure
Wide-angle lens
Tripod
Cable release

Fees

The park used to be free, but today there is a $10 parking fee. Several people choose to park on the street, but most of Highway 1 is a no parking zone, except for some nearby pullouts. Even though it is possible to park and quickly hike to the falls and back, it is not worth risking a ticket or bodily injury.