Ever dug your toes in purple sand? Clambered through a sea cave? Sat beneath giant rocks? Head for Pfeiffer Beach, a local favorite that’s so hidden, many newbie travelers have trouble finding it.

Part of the Los Padres National Forest, the beach lies 2 miles down narrow, winding Sycamore Canyon Road. Do make the effort to drive down, though, because fantastic rewards await: towering cliffs, sea stacks and unusual rock formations, plus the most interesting sand, purple-hued from manganese garnet particles. Sunsets here are usually awesome spectacles, a collision of gold, blue and purple light bouncing off the rocks.

Access Sycamore Canyon Road on the west side of Highway 1, a quarter mile south of Big Sur Station. Make a very sharp turn downhill and follow the road to the end, then walk on the path to the beach.

RVs and trailers are not allowed on this road.

See and save more places to create your own itinerary or modify a Bindu itinerary.

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  Photo by clr_flickr
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  Photo by Alan Vernon
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  Photo by Cheryl Crabtree