Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Encyclopedia
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a state-protected park in Big Sur
, located in Monterey County
, California
. The park is administered and maintained by California State Parks. It is located 37 miles (59.5 km) south of Carmel
and covers over 3000 acres (12.1 km²) of land. A main feature of the park is McWay Falls
, which drops over a cliff 80 feet (24.4 m) into the Pacific Ocean
, as well as the smaller McWay Creek Falls. Also, the park is home to 400 feet redwoods which are over 3,500 years old. The park is named after Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a respected resident and rancher in the Big Sur region in the early 20th century, who lived in the area for much of her life until her death in 1928.
and his wife Helen acquired it in 1924. The Browns constructed an elaborate stone house in McWay Cove, one of the first electrified dwellings in Big Sur, powered by the McWay stream. They befriended Julia Pfeiffer-Burns, a local resident, and dedicated the property to her memory in their 1961 bequest to the State of California. The house was torn down as the Browns requested in their will, but some of the walls and fragments of stone staircases remain.
These campsites are usually booked weeks in advance and reservations must be made either online or by phone.
In 2007 the Mano Seca group installed a bench at Campsite #2 that can be used to sit and peruse the Pacific below. Make sure that you also take the path through the junipers west of the bench to sit on the rocks above the coast below. Evening here can be sublime.
The Big Sur fire of the summer of 2008 burned the upper parts of the park, but fortunately were stopped at Highway 1 and did not affect the camping sites.
In early 2009, the many non-native acacia trees around the campsites were removed in order to restore vegetation native to the Big Sur Coast. Indigenous plants and trees were then planted, but understandably will take time to grow fully.
are marine protected areas offshore from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.
Big Sur
Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the Central Coast of California where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The name "Big Sur" is derived from the original Spanish-language "el sur grande", meaning "the big south", or from "el país grande del sur", "the big...
, located in Monterey County
Monterey County, California
Monterey County is a county located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, its northwestern section forming the southern half of Monterey Bay. The northern half of the bay is in Santa Cruz County. As of 2010, the population was 415,057. The county seat and largest city is Salinas...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The park is administered and maintained by California State Parks. It is located 37 miles (59.5 km) south of Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea, often called simply Carmel, is a small city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated in 1916. Situated on the Monterey Peninsula, the town is known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history...
and covers over 3000 acres (12.1 km²) of land. A main feature of the park is McWay Falls
McWay Falls
McWay Falls is an 80 foot waterfall located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park that flows year-round. Like Alamere Falls, this waterfall is one of only two in the region that are close enough to the ocean to be referred to as "tidefalls"...
, which drops over a cliff 80 feet (24.4 m) into the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, as well as the smaller McWay Creek Falls. Also, the park is home to 400 feet redwoods which are over 3,500 years old. The park is named after Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a respected resident and rancher in the Big Sur region in the early 20th century, who lived in the area for much of her life until her death in 1928.
Location and history
The park is located on land that was originally called the Saddle Rock Ranch, because of the rock formation that resembles a saddle in McWay Cove. Christopher McWay and his wife Rachel originally settled the area in the late 19th century. The land passed through several owners until former U.S. House Representative Lathrop BrownLathrop Brown
Lathrop Brown was a United States Representative from New York. Born in New York City, he graduated from Groton School in 1900 and from Harvard University in 1903, where he was roommates with Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He engaged in the real estate business and served in Squadron A of the National...
and his wife Helen acquired it in 1924. The Browns constructed an elaborate stone house in McWay Cove, one of the first electrified dwellings in Big Sur, powered by the McWay stream. They befriended Julia Pfeiffer-Burns, a local resident, and dedicated the property to her memory in their 1961 bequest to the State of California. The house was torn down as the Browns requested in their will, but some of the walls and fragments of stone staircases remain.
Features
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has two environmental hike-in camping areas, named by Sunset Magazine as one of the "four best places to pitch a tent on the Pacific Coast" Both sites have exceptional views of the Pacific Coast. The Julia Pfeiffer Burns Underwater Area is a popular location for scuba diving.These campsites are usually booked weeks in advance and reservations must be made either online or by phone.
In 2007 the Mano Seca group installed a bench at Campsite #2 that can be used to sit and peruse the Pacific below. Make sure that you also take the path through the junipers west of the bench to sit on the rocks above the coast below. Evening here can be sublime.
The Big Sur fire of the summer of 2008 burned the upper parts of the park, but fortunately were stopped at Highway 1 and did not affect the camping sites.
In early 2009, the many non-native acacia trees around the campsites were removed in order to restore vegetation native to the Big Sur Coast. Indigenous plants and trees were then planted, but understandably will take time to grow fully.
Marine Protected Areas
Big Creek State Marine Reserve and Big Creek State Marine Conservation AreaBig Creek State Marine Reserve and Big Creek State Marine Conservation Area
Big Creek State Marine Reserve and Big Creek State Marine Conservation Area are two adjoining marine protected areas that lie offshore of Big Sur on California’s central coast. The combined area of these marine protected areas is . The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries. ...
are marine protected areas offshore from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.
External links
- Julia Pfeiffer State Park - fusión de agua y tierra - Thewotme travelblog.
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park official website
- Information and things to do at Julia Pfeiffer Burns
- NOAA Information
- Trailspotting: Hiking Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Hike description & photos