Kirk Creek Beach(Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Kirk Creek Campground Beach)

Located in the southern part of Monterey County in Big Sur, Kirk Creek Beach - also known as Kirk Creek Campground Beach - is a campground that has a small rocky beach with very little beige sand.  The beach is present below the campground, which is positioned over a 100-foot-tall ocean bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and offers Instagram-worthy views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and Big Sur coastline.  Kirk Creek Beach is managed by Los Padres National Forest and Kirk Creek empties into the ocean towards the northern end of the beach. 

Kirk Creek Beach does not have lifeguards but has 33 campsites that offer many amenities including campground hosts, campsite tables, parking pads, restrooms, BBQ grills, picnic tables, fire pits, and a store selling firewood.  Dogs are allowed on the beach if they are on a leash, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset. 

Kirk Creek Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, bird watching, fishing, surf fishing, hiking, picnicking, stargazing, photography, wildlife viewing, tidepooling, swimming, surfing, kitesurfing, skimboarding, kayaking, and paddleboarding.  If you are planning to go into the water near the beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have pounding waves and unpredictable rip currents.  There are many tide pools present near the beach that visitors can explore during low tide.  If you enjoy surfing, the northern part of the beach is a great place to go surfing due to its frequently windy weather.  Visitors can also spot many sea animals in the water near the beach including dolphins, seals, sea lions, and migratory whales (from November to February). 

If you are planning to fish in the waters near Kirk Creek Beach, you may catch many fish including bass, croaker, yellow perch, and surfperch.  In addition, hikers can explore nearby hiking trails along the beach that lead to the bluffs that overlook the beach.  In addition, hikers can explore waterfalls, redwood groves, mountain meadows, and streams. They may also see plenty of wildlife there, including foxes, bobcats, deer, raccoons, and mountain lions.  Kirk Creek campground is an ideal camping spot—there are 33 campsites that offer many amenities, including campground hosts, campsite tables, parking pads, restrooms, BBQ grills, picnic tables, fire pits, a store selling firewood, and an access path for people with disabilities.  To reserve camping permits and make reservations, go online or call 1-877-444-6777.  Each campsite costs $35 per night and is equipped with a parking pad, table, fire ring, and barbecue grill facility.  A campsite accommodates 6-8 people, with two vehicles allowed per site.  Also, campsites 2 and 3 are first-come, first-serve and the rest are reservable.  It is important to note that campsites do not have electrical hookups or potable water, so plan your trip accordingly

Getting to Kirk Creek Beach is difficult - the beach has a paid parking lot located at 64955 Cabrillo Highway 1.  After parking, visitors can take a small trail starting from Kirk Creek Campground and heading down to the beach below the bluff near campsite 11.  We recommend wearing appropriate footwear while visiting this rocky beach.  It is important to note that parking space is available to visitors staying at campsites, but there is no parking for day-use visitors.

There are many attractions near Kirk Creek 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.  The Limekiln Trail is a half-mile-long trail that meanders through the redwood forest of Limekiln State Park and crosses Limekiln Creek over three beautiful bridges to the site of four giant steel and stone lime kilns that originally provided lime used for mortar in San Francisco's brick buildings. Visitors can still see the kilns that sit abandoned in this majestic forest of Big Sur.  If you are looking for another attraction near Kirk Creek Beach,  Henry Miller Memorial Library is a library, non-profit art center, bookstore, and performance venue that is dedicated in memory of the renowned author, Henery Miller.  This library has a gallery where local artists can showcase their work.  In addition, it also hosts many events, including live music performances, art shows, lectures, book signings, film screenings, fashion shows, and the Big Sur International Short Film Screening Series

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Kirk Creek Beach. Sierra Mar is an upscale restaurant that serves incredible eggs, pancakes, omelets, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, seafood, pork, poultry dishes, steak, and desserts.  Wild Coast Restaurant & The Sushi Bar is another oceanfront upscale restaurant that offers an amazing omakase experience and serves incredible seafood, sushi, and burgers.  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 Kirk Creek Beach, the modestly priced Deetjen’s Restaurant serves delicious eggs, French toast, pancakes, rancheros, burritos, seafood, pork, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Kirk Creek Beach, there are many great nearby options.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4.5-Star Alila Ventana Big Sur is 42 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, a clothing-optional pool, hot tubs, a fitness center, a spa, sauna, a library, an on-site art gallery, a restaurant, and freebies include guided walks, wine and cheese receptions, yoga sessions, and Tai Chi classes.  A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Treebones Resort which offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a spa, complimentary morning yoga sessions, a convenience store, a restaurant, a sushi bar, and a complimentary breakfast.  Another moderately priced option is the oceanfront 3-Star Gorda Springs Resort which offers many amenities including a restaurant, an expresso bar, a general store, a delicatessen, an on-site gas station, and complimentary breakfast.  If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Kirk Creek 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.