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Little Sur River Beach

Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
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Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
©
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Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
©
-
Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
Sandee - Little Sur River Beach
Sandee - Little Sur River Beach

59.7

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10 Km81%7.32 m/s

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59.7 °F

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57.7 °F

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55.4 °F

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53.4 °F

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52.4 °F

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53.7 °F

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58.4 °F

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58.8 °F

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52.7 °F

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53.1 °F

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59.4 °F

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58.3 °F

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51.8 °F

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57.5 °F

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52.8 °F

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56.5 °F

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59.7 °F

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53.0 °F

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51.8 °F

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58.4 °F

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66.0 °F

Located at the mouth of the Little Sur River, Little Sur River Beach is an idyllic beach with light brown sand in the Big Sur Region. The beach is littered with driftwood and has a marvelous backdrop of the mountainous Big Sur landscape. The Little Sur River sometimes forms a lagoon near the beach. There is also a natural rocky archway near the southern end of the beach. The beach is currently inaccessible to the general public as it is surrounded by private land owned by the El Sur Ranch and is fenced off to public access. There are signs on the fences around the beach forbidding trespassing on private property. 

There are many attractions near Little Sur River Beach. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is situated at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains and has a variety of hiking trails that offer a memorable way to explore the vibrant flora and fauna of the Big Sur region. Andrew Molera State Park has 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails which highlight a variety of landscapes present in the state park including forests of redwood and sycamore trees, open meadows, the banks of the Big Sur River, and a 40-feet high waterfall known as the Highbridge Falls. In addition, the state park also houses the Molera Ranch House Museum that has interesting exhibits and artifacts which offer an interesting insight into the rich history of the Big Sur region. Andrew Molera State Park also has the Ventana Wildlife Society Big Sur Discovery Center which has informative exhibits about the vibrant biodiversity of the Big Sur Region. The discovery center also has a souvenir shop and organizes exciting nature tours. If you are looking for another attraction near Little Sur River Beach, Henry Miller Memorial Library is dedicated to the memory of the renowned author Henry Miller and also serves as a gallery/performance space, hosting many exciting events throughout the year (particularly between May and October) including film screenings, live music performances, the Big Sur International Short Film Screening Series, and the Esalen Gazebo School Benefit.

Getting to Little Sur River Beach is easy - it is located alongside Pacific Coast Highway/ Cabrillo Highway, and there are many free parking spots near the mouth of the Little Sur River, from where you can view the beach and take pictures of it. In addition, the lagoon formed by the Little Sur River is often frequented by birds, making it a great bird-watching spot.

There are many attractions near Little Sur River Beach. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is situated at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains and has a variety of hiking trails that offer a memorable way to explore the vibrant flora and fauna of the Big Sur region. Andrew Molera State Park has 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails which highlight a variety of landscapes present in the state park including forests of redwood and sycamore trees, open meadows, the banks of the Big Sur River, and a 40-feet high waterfall known as the Highbridge Falls. In addition, the state park also houses the Molera Ranch House Museum that has interesting exhibits and artifacts which offer an interesting insight into the rich history of the Big Sur region. Andrew Molera State Park also has the Ventana Wildlife Society Big Sur Discovery Center which has informative exhibits about the vibrant biodiversity of the Big Sur Region. The discovery center also has a souvenir shop and organizes exciting nature tours. If you are looking for another attraction near Little Sur River Beach, Henry Miller Memorial Library is dedicated to the memory of the renowned author Henry Miller and also serves as a gallery/performance space, hosting many exciting events throughout the year (particularly between May and October) including film screenings, live music performances, the Big Sur International Short Film Screening Series, and the Esalen Gazebo School Benefit.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Little Sur River Beach. Sierra Mar is an upscale restaurant that offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves excellent gourmet dishes. In addition, the restaurant has been praised in a variety of publications including the MICHELIN Guide. Big Sur Taphouse has a casual ambiance and serves an excellent array of bar foods including sandwiches, tacos, burgers, cheese-steaks, and hot wings. Big Sur Roadhouse has a beautiful dining area that has a Modernist-style interior design and offers delicious coastal California cuisine. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Little Sur River Beach, the modestly priced Big Sur Deli is 25 minutes away by car and offers excellent sandwiches served in generous portions.

If you are looking for a hotel near Little Sur River Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 5-Star Post Ranch Inn offers many amenities including a restaurant, a fitness center, a swimming pool, a spa with two infinity pools, complimentary breakfast, a car loaner facility, and complimentary classes for stargazing, yoga, and meditation. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Big Sur Lodge, which offers many amenities including a pool, a bar, a general store, a coffee shop, and a restaurant. As another moderately priced option, the 3-Star Fernwood Campground and Resort offers accommodation in a motel and log cabins and also offers sites for RV and tent camping. The campground and resort offer a variety of amenities including restrooms, showers, a restaurant, and a general store. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Little Sur River Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Carmel River Inn is 23 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a pool and a garden with walking paths.

Basic Details

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    Top Traveler Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Surf through our FAQs to help you find your perfect beach!

    Does Little Sur River Beach have parking? If so, is it free or paid?

    Little Sur River Beach does not have dedicated parking but has street parking near the entrance.

    Does Little Sur River Beach have lifeguards?

    No, Little Sur River Beach does not have lifeguards monitoring the beach – please be careful when swimming on this beach.

    Is Little Sur River Beach a family-friendly beach?

    Little Sur River Beach is not family-friendly and does not have restrooms, lifeguards, and nearby food.

    Is Little Sur River Beach good for swimming?

    Little Sur River Beach is not generally considered a good swimming beach.

    Does Little Sur River Beach have restrooms?

    Little Sur River Beach does not have restrooms on or near the beach.

    Is Little Sur River Beach a nude beach?

    No, Little Sur River Beach maintains a family-friendly atmosphere and does not allow nude bathing.

    Is there food near Little Sur River Beach?

    Little Sur River Beach does not have nearby food options – please plan your beach day accordingly.

    What are the activities at Little Sur River Beach?

    Little Sur River Beach is not known for any activities in particular.

    Does Little Sur River Beach have accommodations for people with disabilities?

    Little Sur River Beach does not have accommodations for people with disabilities.

    Is Little Sur River Beach a dog-friendly beach?

    Little Sur River Beach is not dog-friendly.

    Is Little Sur River Beach good for surfing?

    Little Sur River Beach is not generally considered to be good for surfing.

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