Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park — Attraction in Gonzales

There are several parking areas within the park, but every time I've been here, the only spaces open were at the very top of the road, where the Ewoldsen Trail begins, along a gorgeous bubbling stream. Coastal Redwoods are plentiful on this hike, providing ample shade the lush and cheery ferns here need to thrive. Magical sun glints dance and probe the forest floor.

My first time here about 15 years ago, in the summer, the Ewodsen Trail was closed, due to mud and debris flows from gnarly spring-time storms that clogged up the trail not far from the trailhead. Heading upward, I was barely out of breath, when I noticed a massive tree trunk from above had washed down the mountain & lodged right between 2 standing redwoods on either side of the narrow trail, effectively sealing this passage shut. So I backtracked slowly, taking the time to enjoy my vibrant green surroundings. I also loved the merry sounds the water makes as it flows downwards, cascading over rocks and branches of all sizes, into tiny pools. So refreshing, listening to the sounds of undisturbed nature.

McWay Cove is legendary, and in exactly the opposite direction as the Ewoldsen Trail. You follow the signs and from the parking lot, a trail descends in the direction of Highway 1. One Spring, ten years ago, the path to McWay Cove was lined with lush greens bushes and blooms. Lots of bees and butterflies were working over the flowers. There is a large metal tube beneath Highway 1 that you'll walk through, before coming to a very spacious lookout area, where you're greeted with glorious views of McWay Cove, and tiny McWay Falls, that spills from the mountaintop, onto the pale white sand below.

McWay Cove can be moody, like all of us. One time here, the wind was really blowing and the water was a puny greenish blue color. Rafts of bubbles drifted everywhere, churned up by the crashing surf, which usually doesn't assault this mostly rock-guarded semi-circle of water.

My best view of the Cove came 5 years ago, in the summer. There was a Santa Ana weather condition in effect and zero wind. McWay Cove looked glorious the morning we got there. The turquoise water was striking. Tall white Yucca blooms added to the beauty. Wish I would've arrived a bit later, so the mountainside across from the viewing area would've been lit up by the sun. Probably anytime after noon would be perfect!

What I remember is there's a pay station, where you drop your envelop containing your day use fee into a metal box, here. Perhaps now they have an electronic pay method, not really sure. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is small, but it affords you with 2 really cool experiences, the short McWay Cove hike, as well as the Ewoldsen Trail hike amongst the redwoods and stream, at top of the parking lot.

I understand this park is currently open after performing repairs from the Dolan Fire....

Francisco Benitez Eng. M02 Park Review This past weekend I was able to enjoy a two day camping/hiking adventure at McWay Canyon Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur, California. Our road trip was fun as it took me about 5 hours to get to the camp site due to some confusion about the construction that was being done on Highway One. There were also some complications with driving at night as there was a minimal light on the road and the salty sea breeze kept blurring the windshield, as the bright moon guided us with its glow as it shined down on the ocean water surface. Once I arrived at the camp site, I was immediately satisfied with the location that my group had chosen for us to stay for that night. Our location was near a cliff sight that over looked the beautiful ocean. One thing that really took by surprise was the view at night and how the scene was un-comparable to anything I have seen in my life. The sky was pitch black and the infinite amount of stars where glowing as bright as our bond fire we had lit in our site. We went to bed with the sounds of the trees whispering gentle words to our ears and the ocean violently pounding against the rocky cliff putting us into a trance helping us fall asleep. As the slowly creeped over the mountains to awoken us at six O’clock to go for our hike, we were able to experience the sunrise over the mountains and through the great big redwood trees. The view from the cliff was one out of a dream; the thick fog surfacing the ocean water, with the sun introducing the beautiful colors of the sky. The only thing I would be critical about on our journey at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park would be that there was no access to any part of the beach during any of our hikes. I believe if people had access to the beach it would attract more people and it would be a great way for people to relax after a good long hike. Other than that critique, I would like to say that this was one of many trips I have taken that will always be ingrained into my memory forever. I would definitely recommend people to go visit and experience a breath-taking experience like I shared...

This is a really awsome beach. Yes the sand is purple. You may want to come early because the beach area doesnt have much parking and theres park personnel at the entrance which is 2.1 miles away from the beach and if the parking is full they wont let you in. If they dont let you in you have to leave and come back later. Theres no waiting room there so you have to go back out of the entrance area and wait back up by the road or just come back at a later time and hope you get in. It cost twelve dollars to park once you get to the beach. You can stay at the beach as long as you want. There are bathrooms there but they are like in door porta jons. They are not very clean but you got to look at the amount of peoole that visit that beach. People are just not respectful and take care of the parks and beaches like they should. While i was there i seen that there are at least six handicap parking places and out of the six handicap places there was NOT one vehicle with a handicap plate or handicap placard in there vehicle displaying that they are handicap. I think the park personnel next to start putting cones out blocking these handicap parking places so when a person does come to this beautiful very nice beach they will have a parking place to park that is designated for a handicap person. The staff was EXTREMELY VERY NICE that were at the top of the hill that let us down to the beach. We had to come back about four times before we were allowed to go to the beach but the were the best. Wish all park services was like they are. Keep up the good work that you do on julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Yes you all were GREAT... If my review helps you in any way can you PLEASE leave me a thumbs up like on my...