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Mission23

Big Sur: Bixby Bridge to McWay Falls

Drive Highway 1 through Big Sur. Photograph Bixby Bridge, then McWay Falls pouring onto the beach.

Drive south from Carmel on Highway 1 and pull over at Bixby Bridge for the classic photo of the arch over the canyon. Keep going down the coast and take turns calling the pullouts: each of you gets to stop the car once for any view that makes you say wow. End at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where McWay Falls drops straight onto a little beach, and get your photo at the overlook with the falls behind you.

  • Date or adventure
  • All day
  • Easy
  • Under $20
  • Outdoors
  • Daytime

Good with just you, friends, family, and kids

Check before you go: weather and trail conditions

Bixby Bridge north viewpoint, Highway 1, Big Sur coast, south of Carmel39020 Coast Rd, Monterey, CA 93940
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Kids' version

Coast drive! Find each thing.

  1. The big bridge
  2. The ocean crashing on rocks
  3. A waterfall on the beach
  4. A selfie by the ocean!

Checked November 2026

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About this place

Bixby Bridge opened in 1932 and rises about 280 feet above the creek, which makes it one of the most photographed bridges in California. The best view is from the pullout on the north side.

McWay Falls is one of only a few waterfalls in California that fall right onto the beach, about 80 feet down. The beach itself is closed, but the short overlook trail gets you the view.

Only stop in real pullouts and never walk along the highway. There are few gas stations in Big Sur, so fill up in Carmel. Winter storms and landslides can close sections of Highway 1 for months, so check Caltrans QuickMap before you go.

Also in: Kid-Friendly Adventures

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