Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Once you spy Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park's waterfall and redwood-shaded trails, you start to feel like you've been here before. This park is emblematic of all things Big Sur, showing up in magazine spreads, visitor's guides and on the big screen. Upon setting foot in this majestic park, you immediately see why. Trails meander past gushing rivers, which plunge into the ocean in a dramatic waterfall. Birds (most impressively the California condor) and mammals congregate throughout the park, drawn by the peace that permeates the region. Visitors can get lost on an array of trails, but a favorite is the three-mile Valley View trail to Pfeiffer ...

Once you spy Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park's waterfall and redwood-shaded trails, you start to feel like you've been here before. This park is emblematic of all things Big Sur, showing up in magazine spreads, visitor's guides and on the big screen. Upon setting foot in this majestic park, you immediately see why. Trails meander past gushing rivers, which plunge into the ocean in a dramatic waterfall. Birds (most impressively the California condor) and mammals congregate throughout the park, drawn by the peace that permeates the region. Visitors can get lost on an array of trails, but a favorite is the three-mile Valley View trail to Pfeiffer Falls. The park houses the Big Sur Lodge, which is popular with families wanting to soak up the sounds of kingfishers and jays, and possibly spy a sea mammal.

About the Expert

Michele Bigley is the author of Northern California: An Explorer's Guide and Great Destinations Kauai from Countryman Press.