Monterey County, CA · Pacific Ocean

Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)

The Big Sur beach with the famous Keyhole Arch and the purple-streaked sand (manganese garnet from the cliffs above). Reached via the narrow Sycamore Canyon Road off Highway 1 — easy to miss. Sunset through the arch is the photograph everyone wants.

Today's Conditions

Great day for photography.

NWS alert active

Full NWS forecast for Today

Mostly cloudy. High near 69, with temperatures falling to around 67 in the afternoon. West northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low around 60, with temperatures rising to around 62 overnight. North northwest wind around 5 mph.

Weather

69°F air — cool but workable
Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too

Water

60°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering

Safety

UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
NWS alert active — coastal flood advisory issued july 12 at 5:38am pdt until july 15 at 4:00am pdt by nws san francisco ca

65 /100

good

16 Swim

61 Sunbathe

76 Walk

83 Photo

Best for photography today

Coastal Flooding Coastal Flood Advisory

Coastal Flood Advisory issued July 12 at 5:38AM PDT until July 15 at 4:00AM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA

NWS · In effect through Jul 15, 11:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Up to 1.7 ft of inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. * WHERE...Pacific Coast including Monterey Bay. * WHEN...Until 4 AM PDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...At the San Francisco tidal gauge, high tide is expected to be 1.6 ft above normal (7.4 ft MLLW) at 9:11 PM 7/11, 1.7 ft above normal (7.5 ft MLLW) at 10:06 PM 7/12, 1.7 ft above normal (7.5 ft MLLW) at 11:01 PM 7/13, 1.6 ft above normal (7.4 ft MLLW) at 11:55 PM 7/14. These predictions include both astronomical tides and roughly 3-6 inches of additional water mainly from a combination of thermal expansion and accumulated sea level rise since the tidal datum was established (1983-2001). High tide varies up to 90 minutes earlier or later along the Pacific Coast and through the San Francisco Bay, respectively.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

69°F

Mostly Cloudy

Wind

5 mph

WNW

Rain

Today

UV Peak

10 Very High

High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m

Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM

Tomorrow

72°F

Partly Sunny

Water

Water Temp

60°F

Cold

Next High Tide

9:01 PM

6.9 ft · in 5.8h

Barometer

29.95 inHg

1014 hPa

Water Quality

Clean

10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus

USGS · sampled 8mo ago

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ565)

The MTR office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

CAZ505 SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
CAZ509 SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN MATEO COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
CAZ529 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
CAZ530 MONTEREY BAY AND BIG SUR COASTAL AREAS n/a

NWS SRF · MTR · Issued Jul 12, 12:35 PM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

8:59 AM

Sunset

11:26 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
3:55 AM	Low	-1.3 ft
10:51 AM	High	3.7 ft
2:35 PM	Low	2.8 ft
9:01 PM	High	6.9 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:43 AM	Low	-1.6 ft
11:36 AM	High	3.9 ft
3:36 PM	Low	2.7 ft
9:54 PM	High	7.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:29 AM	Low	-1.7 ft
12:18 PM	High	4.0 ft
4:36 PM	Low	2.6 ft
10:45 PM	High	6.8 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:14 AM	Low	-1.6 ft
12:59 PM	High	4.2 ft
5:36 PM	Low	2.4 ft
11:37 PM	High	6.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:56 AM	Low	-1.3 ft
1:40 PM	High	4.4 ft
6:37 PM	Low	2.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:29 AM	High	5.9 ft
7:37 AM	Low	-0.8 ft
2:21 PM	High	4.6 ft
7:41 PM	Low	2.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:23 AM	High	5.2 ft
8:17 AM	Low	-0.1 ft
3:03 PM	High	4.8 ft
8:50 PM	Low	2.0 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 9413450, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 12

69°

Mostly Cloudy

Mon Jul 13

72°

Partly Sunny

Tue Jul 14

74°

Sunny

Wed Jul 15

74°

Sunny

Thu Jul 16

64°

Mostly Sunny

Fri Jul 17

63°

Mostly Sunny

Sat Jul 18

64°

Mostly Sunny

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 60°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Beach Info

Parking

Forest Service lot, $15/vehicle. Fills by mid-afternoon; arrive early or in the off-season.

Dogs

Dogs allowed leashed.

Entry Fee

$15/vehicle Forest Service day-use fee.

Address

Sycamore Canyon Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920

Amenities

picnic tablesno restrooms or potable water on-site

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) today?

Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) dog-friendly?

Dogs allowed leashed.

Is there an entry fee at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)?

$15/vehicle Forest Service day-use fee.

Are there lifeguards at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)?

No lifeguards are stationed at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)?

Amenities at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) include picnic tables, no restrooms or potable water on-site.

When is the water warmest at Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)?

The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.

Where is Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) located?

Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur) is in Monterey County, CA, at Sycamore Canyon Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920.