Wreck Beach

Located in the southern part of Monterey County in Big Sur, Wreck Beach is a small beige sand beach with many rocky portions. Wreck Beach is situated to the east of Pfeiffer Rock and Pfeiffer Beach and offers Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean, especially during sunset. The beach is beneath private property on Los Padres National Forest lands, so avoid going too far inland to prevent trespassing. Wreck Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, and it is open from sunrise until sunset. This beach is reminiscent of Pacific Spirit Regional Park near the University of British Columbia, known for its clothing-optional beach.

Wreck Beach offers several fun activities including sunbathing, bird watching, and swimming. If you are planning to go into the water near the beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have unpredictable rip currents.

Getting to Wreck Beach is difficult - the beach has a few street parking spots located near 9525 Pias Ranch Road. After parking, you will need to hike around a mile downwards on a steep cliff to access the beach.

There are many attractions near Wreck Beach. Big Sur River Gorge is an enticing swimming hole surrounded by granite cliffs and lush vegetation - visitors can take a refreshing dip in the natural pool. It is located between campsites 111 and 112 within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. A mile-long unmaintained trail connects the park’s campground to this pool of crystal-clear river water in a gorge with granite walls. Highbridge Falls - also known as Andrew Molera Falls, is an elusive waterfall located within Andrew Molera State Park. It is a beautiful, 40-foot tall waterfall that cascades into a narrow creek surrounded by redwood forest and a few rocky formations. If you are looking for another attraction near Wreck Beach, Partington Cove Trail is a two-mile long, moderately steep trail located within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The trail descends to three spurs leading to Partington Creek, Partington Cove, and Partington Point. The trail to the cove crosses the creek and reaches a tunnel carved through a wall of rock. Beyond the tunnel, the cove's trail leads to Partington Point, which offers Instagram-worthy views of the coast. Visitors can explore the crystal-clear waters of Partington Cove, the Big Sur cliffs, the old redwood tunnel, and the Partington Creek waterfalls on this short trail.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Wreck Beach. The Sur House is an upscale restaurant that serves incredible eggs, French toast, soups, salads, quesadillas, tacos, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, pork, and poultry dishes. Nepenthe is another upscale restaurant that serves salads, soups, steaks, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, and poultry dishes. Restaurant at River Inn Big Sur serves a delectable all-day menu including eggs, sandwiches, pancakes, rancheros, omelets, salads, soups, steak, pasta, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, and desserts. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Wreck Beach, Fernwood Tavern serves salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, quesadillas, burritos, and desserts

If you are looking for a hotel near Wreck Beach, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Post Ranch Inn is 30 minutes away by car. This ranch-style boutique hotel offers many amenities including two infinity pools, an outdoor pool, hot tubs, a fitness center, a spa, a restaurant, and freebies includes breakfast, loaner cars, yoga classes, meditation sessions, and stargazing classes. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Glen Oak Big Surwhich offers many amenities including outdoor seating areas and a restaurant. Another moderately priced option is the riverfront 3-Star Big Sur River Innwhich offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a riverside deck, and a general store. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Wreck Beach, the oceanfront 2-StarLucia Lodgeoffers many amenities including a deck, a patio, a seasonal convenience store with a gift shop, a restaurant, and a complimentary breakfast.