Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park stretches from the
Big Sur coastline into nearby 3,000-foot ridges. The park features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail. A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Hwy 1. The park also has a large underwater reserve protecting a spectacular assortment of marine life. Special-use permits allow scuba divers to explore the reserve. Other marine life can be seen in the park's cove. Hikers can discover the park's backcountry via several trail systems.
Activities include whale watching in winter and spring and camping. The park is 37 miles south of Carmel.
