Pfeiffer Beach is located in the middle of California's rugged Big Sur coastline, and it is far removed from any towns. Visitors find the way here to marvel at the beauty of the beach despite the lack of signage pointing the way, and one of the most notable features of the beach is a hole that goes all the way through one of the huge rock masses that is just offshore. The beach is just under half a mile long and consists of three adjacent, sandy crescents. You'll enter the beach at the southern crescent. Facing the ocean, turn right and walk north just a few minutes across the middle crescent to the northern crescent, which is the part of the beach where nude bathers gather. The north end of the beach is at best described as a semi-established nude beach. The beach is often so windy that you will not find anyone sunbathing, regardless of swimwear preference or lack thereof. Furthermore, this is a beach where nudity is neither allowed nor disallowed. Rangers reportedly do not hassle nude bathers but will come around and ask nudists to dress if anyone complains about nudity.

If there are too many textiles about when you visit, or if you just feel like exploring a bit, you can walk north beyond the end of the sand. Follow the rocks about half a mile and you will reach a hidden sandy cove that stretches about a quarter mile. Nudity is likely to always be a viable option at this hidden beach, which will probably be deserted. Skirting around the rocky shoreline is not difficult when the tide is out, but make sure you do not get trapped at the hidden cove at high tide. While there is a path up the cliff from the hidden cove that is a potential escape route, it is extremely steep. You can check the current tide predictions at the website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

VISUAL RESOURCES

GPS: 36.2411N, 121.8198W

city, county, state, country  Big Sur, Monterey, California, U.S.A.

classification  2 (traditionally nude)

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