Big Sur Road Trip Guide: McWay Falls, Bixby Bridge & Hidden Gems

A Personal Connection to the Pacific

Updated June 21, 2026: Added a new feature story exploring more than 30 years photographing Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls and California's Big Sur coastline, including additional fine art photography from Highway 1.

McWay Falls Update June 2026: Visitors should note that the Overlook Trail at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park remains closed for long-term retaining wall repairs. McWay Falls is currently viewable only from a designated roadside pullouts along Highway 1. The Ewoldsen Trail remains open. Before visiting, check the latest updates from California State Parks Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Updates

➡️ Read my full McWay Falls guide:

McWay Falls in Big Sur – Sunsets, Moonrises & the Magic of California’s Coast

From golden sunsets and moonlit waterfalls to Milky Way nights and dramatic coastal scenery, discover why McWay Falls remains one of the most unforgettable destinations along California’s Highway 1.

John Harrison | Landscape Photography & TravelJohn Harrison

For 30 years, the San Francisco Bay Area was my home. While Silicon Valley moved at a relentless pace, California's coastline became my sanctuary. Many weekends began before sunrise behind the wheel of my blue 1963 Ford Falcon Convertible, heading south along Highway 1 toward Natural Bridges, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Point Lobos, Garrapata State Park, Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls , and the dramatic cliffs of Big Sur.

There was something special about driving the coast with the top down, watching the morning fog drift across the Pacific while searching for the next great landscape photograph. Big Sur also has a way of reminding you that California isn't always warm—more than once, the combination of coastal wind and marine fog had me wishing I had packed an extra jacket for the drive home.

Every mile of Highway 1 holds a memory. Some photographs were created at iconic locations such as Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls, while others emerged from hidden beaches, quiet overlooks, and lesser-known corners of the coastline.

As any coastal photographer learns, it is always about the light. Shifting fog, changing tides, dramatic storms, and fleeting moments of sunlight continually reshape the California coast. That unpredictability is what has kept me returning for more than three decades.

Many of the photographs featured throughout this guide are available as museum-quality fine art prints for homes, offices, hospitality spaces, and healthcare environments.

Photographs by John Harrison — award-winning fine art landscape photographer.

From Half Moon Bay to Natural Bridges: The Slow Coast

The stretch of Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz is what locals call the "Slow Coast." It’s where the suburban bustle fades into agricultural fields and rugged, windswept bluffs.

• Pigeon Point Lighthouse: One of the tallest lighthouses in America. I love capturing it at twilight when the lens glow meets the fading Pacific light.
• Bean Hollow (Tafoni Rocks): Near Half Moon Bay, these honeycombed tafoni formations are perfect for intimate coastal abstracts.

• Davenport Beach (Shark Fin Cove): A rugged masterpiece of geology. Whether capturing the "Shark Fin" rock or the cliffs of the "naked beach," the sheer scale of the bluffs here is humbling.
• Natural Bridges State Beach: My sunrise sanctuary. The iconic arch is a masterclass in coastal geometry, especially when the winter swells send spray high into the air

From Santa Cruz to the 17-Mile Drive

This is where the coastline turns from rugged to refined — and every stop feels like a postcard.

My coastal journey often began in Santa Cruz. The Natural Bridges arch isn’t just a landmark — it’s a sentinel that’s watched over countless Pacific sunrises and sunsets.

Moving south, the landscape shifts into the refined beauty of Pebble Beach and the 17-Mile Drive. Here, the wind-sculpted cypress trees stand as living sculptures against the deep blue of the Monterey Bay.

• Point Lobos & Weston Beach: Point Lobos is a place of endless discovery. Weston Beach remains one of my absolute favorites—the tide pools and geological textures there are a masterclass in nature’s fine art.

• Carmel & Monterey: Capturing the fog as it weaves through the trees in Carmel-by-the-Sea provides a sophisticated, ethereal tone that translates beautifully to large-format prints.

Featured Story: 30 Years Photographing Big Sur and Bixby Bridge Along Highway 1

For more than three decades, I've returned to California's most iconic coastal landmark in search of changing light, coastal fog, spring wildflowers, and unforgettable views along Highway 1.

Explore the full story behind my favorite Bixby Bridge photographs, including personal field notes, photography tips, and fine art images created over thirty years of exploring Big Sur.

→ Read: 30 Years on California's Highway 1: Why I Keep Returning to Big Sur and Bixby Bridge

Big Sur: The "Secret" Waterfall and the Milky Way

The real magic happens where the redwoods meet the sea. Many people live in the SF Bay Area for a lifetime and never make it down to see McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. It’s a California “secret” I love to share through my lens—one of the few places on Earth where a waterfall pours directly into the Pacific Ocean. It’s a scene of pure, prehistoric beauty.

McWay Falls: The Pacific’s Crown Jewel (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park)

McWay Falls in Big Sur – Sunsets, Moonrises & the Magic of California’s Coast

From golden sunsets and moonlit waterfalls to Milky Way nights and dramatic coastal scenery, discover why McWay Falls remains one of the most unforgettable destinations along California’s Highway 1.

John Harrison | Landscape Photography & TravelJohn Harrison

Note: Access conditions at McWay Falls can change due to ongoing restoration and infrastructure projects. Always check current California State Parks advisories before visiting.

If there is one image that defines the magic of Big Sur, it is McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. As a photographer who has spent 30 years scouting the coast, I still find this spot breathtaking.

Here’s what always surprises me: so many people from California drive to Big Sur and never go the extra distance to see McWay Falls. They’ll explore the viewpoints, grab a meal, maybe stop at Bixby Bridge… and turn around before reaching one of the most iconic coastal scenes in the entire state.

Pro Tip for Travelers:
If you’re already doing Highway 1 and you’ve made it to Big Sur, keep driving south another 25–30 minutes and make the stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. McWay Falls is one of the most unforgettable “worth it” detours on the Northern California coastline—and it’s one of the easiest ways to level up your Big Sur trip.

It’s one of the few true “tidefalls” in the world—a waterfall that empties directly into the ocean (at high tide) or onto a pristine, inaccessible beach.

Why McWay Falls is a Collector Favorite

The color palette of McWay Falls is unique to the California Coast. The "liquid turquoise" of the cove contrasted against the tan sands and the rugged cliffs creates a Mediterranean feel right here in the West. My McWay Falls prints are often chosen for Healthcare and Executive spaces because they provide an immediate sense of escape and wonder.

Note: As of 2026, the main overlook trail has been closed for long-term repairs — always check California State Parks for current access before visiting.

The California Night Sky: Milky Way over the Pacific

But the coastal story doesn't end when the sun goes down. Because Big Sur is so remote, it offers some of the darkest skies in California.

• Night Photography: I’ve spent many nights at Natural Bridges and deep in Big Sur capturing the Milky Way. The contrast of the celestial "river" of stars above the roar of the dark Pacific creates an image that brings a sense of profound peace and scale to any room.

Collect California Coast Fine Art Photography for your home or office

These museum-quality photographs are available as archival fine art prints, canvas gallery wraps, framed artwork, and HD acrylic displays designed for homes, executive offices, healthcare spaces, and hospitality environments. These images are more than just photographs; they are the result of 30 years of waiting for the right light. My California Coast collection is designed to bring that "weekend escape" feeling into your daily environment.

• HD Acrylic: Perfect for the vibrant "liquid turquoise" of McWay Falls.
• Museum-Grade Canvas: Adds a painterly texture to the moody fog of Carmel and Point Lobos.
• Archival Prints: Detailed enough to show every grain of sand at Natural Bridges.

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