North Jade Cove

Located between Jade Cove and Sand Dollar Beach, North Jade Cove is a rocky beach situated in the Big Sur region. Like the nearby Jade Cove, North Jade Cove also has deposits of jade. The rocky beach can be slippery and it can also have jagged rocks, so we recommend being careful. The water near the beach has strong currents and waves. The beach in North Jade Cove is located below a blufftop forested area, which is a part of the Los Padres National Forest.

North Jade Cove does not have any lifeguards or any other public amenities, so plan accordingly.

North Jade Cove offers many activities including beachcombing, tidepooling, rock hounding, scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, wildlife watching, kayaking, canoeing, boating, surfing, sunbathing, swimming, and boating. While it is not as popular as the neighboring Jade Cove, the beach in North Jade Cove also has a variety of jade deposits in different colors - while the jade here is primarily green, it is not uncommon to come across black, red, blue, or even white jade. The best time to collect jade in North Jade Cove is during low tide or after sea storms in winters, which sees a lot of jade rocks being deposited on the beach. However, we recommend paying attention to the sign posted instructions near the beach which specify the permitted method of jade collections as well as the maximum amount of jade which can be collected from North Jade Cove. You can also scuba dive in the water near North Jade Cove for collecting jade. If you are not interested in jade-hunting, the water near North Jade Cove is home to a variety of animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, otters, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). If you are planning to go into the water near North Jade Cove, we recommend being very careful as the water here is known for dangerous rip currents and strong waves. Moreover, the rocky coastline can also inflict some grave injuries. North Jade Cove is also a great fishing spot - you can catch a variety of fish here including bass, surfperch, grass fish, and cabezon. However, we recommend being careful while fishing and complying with the local fishing regulations as the water around North Jade Cove is part of a marine reserve.

Getting to North Jade Cove is easy - the beach is located near 69232 Cabrillo Highway. You can park in the free parking spaces available at this address along Cabrillo Highway and from here take the access trail to the beach, which leads through trees and meadows to North Jade Cove. From here getting down to the beach can be hard as the access path is carved along steep and partially eroded bluffs, and while there is a support rope, we still recommend being careful.

The annual Big Sur Jade Festival near North Jade Cove which is held in October and sees a number of exhibitions, vendor stalls selling jewelry and art, and live music performances near the beach (the event is hosted by Pacific Valley School, located near North Jade Cove.) There are many attractions near North Jade Cove. The New Camaldoli Hermitage, which has lush public gardens offering a pleasant view of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the hermitage also offers a bookstore. The Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument is set in the palatial estate which was formerly the home of the famous newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst. The site features the Hearst Castle, the businessman’s lavish mansion and also has interesting art galleries, historical exhibitions, a visitor center, and a gift shop. If you are looking for another attraction near North Jade Cove, the Salmon Creek Falls is situated within the Los Padres National Forest and offers some great Instagram-worthy pictures.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near North Jade Cove. Lucia Lodge Restaurant is an upscale restaurant which was awarded Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award in 2020 and offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience. In addition, the restaurant also serves great seafood and sandwiches. Ragged Point Inn Restaurant is located 25 minutes away by car and offers excellent seafood dishes and steaks. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near North Jade Cove, the modestly priced Whale Watcher’s Cafe features an exquisite marine-themed dining area and serves excellent seafood dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near North Jade Cove, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Ventana Big Sur is 45 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a restaurant, a clothing optional pool, a sauna, a fitness center, a spa , complimentary breakfast, wine-and cheese receptions, yoga and tai-chi classes, and arrangements for guided tours in the Big Sur region. The 3-Star Gorda Springs Resort offers many amenities including two restaurants, an espresso bar, and a general store. A more affordable and interesting hotel is the 3-Star Treebones Resort which offers accommodation in exquisite yurt tents and offers numerous amenities including two restaurants, a pool, a hot tub, complimentary breakfast, and arrangements for yoga classes. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near North Jade Cove, the modestly priced 2-Star Lucia Lodge offers many amenities including a restaurant, a deck, a patio, complimentary breakfast, and a seasonal convenience store with a gift shop.