Big Creek Beach(Waddell Reefs, Las Trancas Beach)

Located between Julie Pfieffer Burns State Park and Limekiln State Park in the southern part of Monterey County in Big Sur, Big Creek Cove Beach - also known as Big Creek Beach—is a long and wide rocky beach.  Big Creek flows underneath the concrete Big Creek Bridge and then empties into the Pacific Ocean.  Unfortunately, Big Creek Cove Beach lies on the private land of the Big Creek Reserve, which is a part of the University of California Natural Reserve System.  To support on-site research and education in protected natural areas, the reserve is off-limits to the public all year round, except for one day of the year, which is usually the second Saturday in the month of May.  Big Creek Cove Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except an observation deck. 

Big Creek Cove Beach offers a couple of fun activities including nature observation and watching wildlife.  Big Creek Cove Beach is not accessible to the general public for the entire year, but visitors can enjoy the Instagram-worthy views of the Big Creek Cove, Santa Lucia Mountains, Big Creek Bridge, rocky cliffs, and incredible coastal views from the nearby observation deck, popularly known as Big Creek Cove Vista Point, particularly during sunrises and sunsets.  In addition, visitors can spot many sea animals in the water near the beach, including dolphins, seals, sea lions, and migratory whales (from November to February).  It is important to note that the Big Creek Reserve provides incredible hiking opportunities to explore a wide variety of ecosystems and habitats, including chaparral, redwoods, oak woodlands, grassland, pine trees, a waterfall, and a hot spring on the day that it is open to the general public (which is usually the second Saturday of May).

Getting to Big Creek Cove Beach is easy - the beach has a few paid parking spots located at 59601-59627 Cabrillo Highway 1.  After parking, visitors can view the beach and take pictures of it.

There are many attractions near Big Creek Cove 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 Big Creek Cove 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 Big Creek Cove 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 Big Creek Cove Beach, Fernwood Tavern serves salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, quesadillas, burritos, and desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near Big Creek Cove Beach, there are many great nearby options.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Post Ranch Inn is 28 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 Sur which offers many amenities including outdoor seating areas and a restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the riverfront 3-Star Big Sur River Inn which 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 Big Creek Cove Beach, the oceanfront 2-Star Lucia Lodge offers many amenities including a deck, a patio, a seasonal convenience store with a gift shop, a restaurant, and a complimentary breakfast.