Located to the south of the Esalen Institute, John Little State Natural Reserve is a 21-acre natural reserve in the Big Sur region. The state park has a narrow rock-and-sand beach that is situated below steep bluffs. This beach is currently closed to public access by the reserve authorities. John Little State Natural Reserve is located near 55420 Pacific Coast Highway.
John Little State Natural Reserve offers a unique opportunity to explore the vibrant blufftop coastal landscape around the meeting point of Lime Creek and the Pacific Ocean. The blufftop area of the state park also offers magnificent Instagram-worthy views of the ocean and the Big Sur coastline. The state reserve also has a cabin which was constructed in 1917 by renowned local conservationist Elizabeth Livermore. However, it is important to note that the reserve is currently closed to the general public and is rarely open to public visits. If you are looking for a beach with unrestricted recreational access, Limekiln State Park has an idyllic and easily accessible beach that is only a 20-minute drive from here.