Sand Dollar Beach - Big Sur, CA

Big Sur is known for its pristine coastline and awe inspiring clifftop views. Today I’m visiting the largest public beach in Big Sur…a spot where you’re sure to enjoy the incredible cliffs as well as the magnificent coastline. Welcome to Sand Dollar Beach.

Location

Sand Dollar Beach is located halfway in between Cambria and Big Sur Station, and just north around the bend from Jade Cove. This beach is considered to be in the southern section of Big Sur, but you’ll already find yourself 25 miles north of the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery.

Trailhead/Parking

There is a large day use parking area ($10 per vehicle). Here you’ll find 14 shaded day use picnic sites, restrooms and BBQ pits. The trailhead begins at the northern end of the park marked by a large wooden sign. When you reach a fork in the trail, the path to the right/north will take you on a short walk to a picturesque overlook of the entire beach and a great spot for whale watching. The left/south path at the fork will lead you to another beautiful overlook, as well as to a large wooden staircase, which takes you down onto the sand in under 1/3 of a mile.

The Beach

Sand Dollar Beach is the largest public sand beach in all of Big Sur. The high bluff tops surrounding the beach protect it from the wind, making this one of the calmest beaches along the central coast and a perfect place for a leisurely walk or an afternoon picnic. The name Sand Dollar might be a bit deceiving…on my last visit I didn’t see a single sand dollar, although I have indeed seen sand dollars here in the past. Beachcombers will still enjoy perusing what high tide leaves behind, including serpentine, shells, and (on the very rare occasion) small pieces of jade, likely swept up from Jade Cove after a storm.

Know before you go:

• Please be considerate of the Leave no Trace Principles to help keep this place wild and beautiful.

• Some of the most popular activities here are beach walking, picnicking, tide pooling, rock hounding, surfing, swimming, and salt water fishing.

• Official park hours are from 10 AM to 6 PM, and the beach is closed from 10 PM till 6 AM daily.

• It’s important to stay on the marked trails here because poison oak is abundant.

• This is considered one of the best surfing spots in Big Sur. However rogue waves and rip currents can make this area dangerous for water activities if you’re not a strong swimmer and familiar with rip currents.

• Dogs are allowed but must stay leashed at all times.

• Use wisdom when exploring the large beautiful rock formations and cliffs. Many of the rocks are unstable and climbing the cliff is considered unsafe.

• This is a wonderful place for wildlife sightings. Everything from lizards and coyotes on the trail to whales and seabirds from the beach.

Nearby places of interest:

Jade Beach ( 1 mile )

Limekiln State Park ( 7 miles)

Salmon Creek Falls ( 12 miles )

San Carpoforo Beach (15 miles )

Ragged Point Hike ( 15 miles )

McWay Falls ( 22 miles )

Bixby Bridge ( 45 miles )

Garrapata State Park ( 50 miles )

Calla Lily Valley ( 50 miles )

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

Thanks for exploring this beautiful Big Sur beach with me today. For more information see my Behind the Blog video below, and until next week I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.

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