Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach(Mill Creek, Mill Inlet)

Located in the southern part of the region of Big Sur, Mill Creek Picnic Area is a day use picnic area which is a part of the Los Padres National Forest. The picnic area has a small rocky beach on its western end. The beach also has sparse amounts of vegetation. The water near Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach has dangerous currents and strong waves, so we recommend being careful while visiting here. Mill Creek also meets the ocean near the beach. Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach does not have lifeguards. However, the picnic area near the beach has picnic tables and restrooms. Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach also allows dogs on leash. 

Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach offers many fun activities including surfing, skimboarding, swimming, paddleboarding, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, wildlife watching, fishing, beachcombing, and tidepooling. If you are planning to go into the water near Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known for rip currents and strong waves. The water near Mill Creek Picnic Area is home to a variety of animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). Another popular activity at Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach is fishing - you can catch a large array of fish here including salto, corbina, bass, and surfperches. If you are looking for a sandy beach for sunbathing, there is a separate, and un-named sandy beach located north of Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach. As this beach is located in a small cove shielded by steep cliff walls, this beach is only accessible during low tide.

Getting to Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach is easy - the entrance to Mill Creek Picnic Area is located near the intersection of Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach and Cabrillo Highway/ California State Highway 1. There is a paid parking lot near this entrance from where you can easily walk to the beach. As the beach has large and unevenly shaped jagged rocks, we recommend wearing appropriate footwear while visiting the beach.

There are many attractions near Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach. 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. New Camaldoli Hermitage has lush public gardens offering a pleasant view of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, it also has a bookstore. If you are looking for another attraction near Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach, the Salmon Creek Falls is situated within the Los Padres National Forest and offers some great Instagram-worthy pictures along with a pleasant view of the coastal landscapes of the Big Sur region.

If you get hungry, there are many good restaurants near Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach. Wild Coast Restaurant & The Sushi Bar is an upscale restaurant offering a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves delicious sushi along with other delectable seafood dishes and burgers. Lucia Lodge Restaurant 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. If you are looking for a good and affordable restaurant near Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach, 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 Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Blue Dolphin Inn is 55 minutes away by car and offers pleasant oceanfront views and offers complimentary breakfast. The 3-Star Gorda Springs Resort offers many amenities including two restaurants, an espresso bar, and a general store. The 3-Star Treebones Resort 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 a good and affordable hotel near Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach, 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.