Pfeiffer Beach is one of Big Sur's most memorable shore stops, reached by a narrow road that keeps it slightly hidden from Highway 1. The beach is known for strong surf, rock formations just offshore, and streaks of purple-tinted sand that appear where manganese garnet washes down from the hills.
This is a place for looking, walking, and photographing rather than swimming. Parking is limited, wind can be fierce, and the turnoff is easy to miss, but the combination of cliffs, sea stacks, and wild Pacific energy makes the detour worthwhile.