Sand Dollar Beach

To get to the famous stairs that lead you down to the beach: short hike through the parking lot. The parking lot to get to, to access the stairs is ACROSS from picnic area. The lot you need to get to has bathrooms and garbage cans. You will see the entrance to the short hike to the stairs in the rear area on the right hand side of this parking lot (right side if you are facing the lot).

Great spot to explore! I think it was high tide as not much sand to speak of but we still had a good time playing in the waves and exploring the beach. The staircase down is a fun experience. We couldn't stop taking pictures at this spot.

This is hidden gem beach in Big Sur. This beach is must visit place in Big Sur. Not too many people know this place so very quiet and peaceful.

This is a must visit place if you are in the Big Sur area. This super clean beach with uninterrupted view of ocean and the sky is a spectacle. The approach to the beach is a bit steep but most of it is accessible through wooden stairs along a short natural trail. It's likely that you find a few surfers having a good time on this surfing friendly beach.

Be mindful of where the tide is and where it is in the cycle. The beach is very flat so when the tide is low the beach is wide, broad and expansive. With a high tide you'll have to simply look as the water can come up to the cliffs edge. Beautiful views especially if it is clear and you can see to the north. The rock formations on the south end offer excellent framing for photos. Self pay parking lot is $10. Trail to the breach via a short but steep path then 101steps ( I counted ) down to the beach. We've been several times and never found sand dollars and each time the views, colors and air are worth the trip.

Fantastic ocean white wave view from a clean near white sand beach. The day use self pay park fee is $10 (prepare exact change). There are 102 steps down to beach. Majority of the bluff is dark green granite, maybe Uba Tuba granite. We really enjoy this gorgeous beach.

Now I have (WON) Sand Dollar Beach 🏖️ Activation extraterrestrial Intelligence System Stealth Spirit of America Our Beautiful ❤️. 👣 Footprints in the Sand ⌛

This beach is nothing great compared to the other beaches nearby. I did not explore a lot here but seemed like a pretty small beach. I was more excited to take the steps to go down to the beach but, was a little disappointed. Good for a quick stop.

One of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been to! Located on highway 1 very close to the Kirk creek campground on the south end of Big Sur! When I tell you the walk down to this beach is breathtaking... my god! It's a ton of stairs so be mindful of what you want to carry because you start on a path from the parking lot and then it turns into stairs.. a lot of stairs! To park in the beach parking lot it's $10! This beach is simply beautiful! My yellow Labrador loved it! They also have this cut out area called jade cove! On the far north side they have a small cave! So cool! Please pick up your trash and be a good human!

I found sand dollars!!! Whole ones!! I love sand dollars! Water is freezing! So many cool things to see that nature makes! Most definitely will go back! 10$ day use fee Cash only Concrete bathrooms, bring wipes and hand sanitizer

Very pretty beach. Plenty of parking spaces. Free. Also free public restrooms. We did not find any Sand Dollars but enjoyed the short easy hike down the stairs to the sand from the parking lot. Found some gorgeous dark green rocks-looks like jade but was probably granite. Worth the stop.

Great beach along PCH to stop at. Parking is very easy and the beach is clean. Might be kind of windy / cloudy depending on the time of year, but there were a lot of people surfing. Access down to the beach is through a staircase, so might not be the best for those with mobility issues.

Beautiful beach. Make sure to bring exact change of $10 for the parking fee. 99 steps down to the beach and then a long strip of beach for lots of people to be able to hang out and enjoy. We've visited when it's been rainy and sunny and both times have been great. Be careful when by the water and make sure to know if the tide is coming in or out.

This beach is really in Big Sur, north of San Simeon. Found this place driving south on the 1 going back to San Simeon in the late afternoon. Needed a bathroom and this place was perfect. There wasn't anyone at the pay booth ( it was 6pm) so we got to park for free. They have a toilet in this lot. If you don't want to pee on the side of the road ( not advisable on the drive through Big Sur), you can stop here. It might cost you $5 bucks though. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/eIlNi5g4aXJIWYZswG9Zqw?select=eSVOBl-yg85FgZpThVkZ5w Sand Dollar Beach is a Day Use Area, no overnight camping. Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m / 7 days $5.00 entrance fee per vehicle

We paid 10$ for parking at the official sand dollar beach park. Don't make the same mistake we did, park outside on Highway 1 and walk inside and save 10$! It takes about a 15 minute walk down to the beach. It's a gorgeous view once you're down there. We found only around 5 sand dollars---it was my first time ever seeing sand dollars so it was so exciting to look for them. However, I thought since it was called Sand Dollar Beach there would be more. It's a pretty bluff area and an awesome view. If you have time, steer off the couch and spend some time here!

Absolutely gorgeous! I visited in January 2017 on a rainy day. Not the time of year to bathe in the sun, but the beach was still stunning to see. I'd also like to mention that I did not find any sand dollars. I hope to visit again during the summer months!

The address above is completely wrong. I've submitted the change and hopefully it will be updated. Sand Dollar Beach (Big Sur) California 1 Big Sur, CA 93920 (805) 434-1996 campone.com Sand Dollar Beach is a Day Use Area, no overnight camping. Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m / 7 days $5.00 entrance fee per vehicle. You can save the $5 fee by parking outside off Hwy 1. Don't be confused with another one in Watsonville. About this beach: This place is just north of Jade Cove. There are no actual Sand Dollars on the beach. This should really be named "Serpentine beach". For those that don't know: The serpentine group are greenish, brownish, or spotted minerals commonly found in serpentinite rocks. They are used as a source of magnesium and asbestos, and as a decorative stone. The name is thought to come from the greenish color being that of a serpent (wiki). This is also the CA state mineral. That type of rock is found in abundance on this beach. I would advice to not take them home with you. They are a source of asbestos. Most experts agree that it is not harmful, but I say, why take the chance? They belong on the beach and let them be. There is a small cave north of beach and piles of Serpentine south of the beach. It is quite beautiful here. During the low tide, you can actually walk out towards the rock cave. It is like a live aquarium full of ocean life. I spent hours look at all type crabs and fields of Anthopleura elegantissima. Loved it! Very peaceful and you can achieve a zen like state if you tone out the world and focus on the ocean waves.

Fantastic isolated and almost empty sandy beach. I was wondering why the beach has the dollar name in it, not realizing that is the name of their famous shells, found everywhere at that beach and with some mystical appearance makes the delight of the collectors. We parked on the street, for free, and just walked down to the beach following what it looked like private property stairs (but were not). I think this is my favorite beach in NorCal so far, and in many aspects reminds me the beloved Torrey Pines in San Diego. The beach is clean, the waves are high, the surfers were not that many. Lovely for a sunny summer day.

Sand Dollar Beach isn't much of a beach by California's ultra-high standards, but in Big Sur, it's huge. Since so much of the coast is steep, rugged, and rocky, with heavy surf and kelp-covered surfaces more amenable to sea otters than beach-goers, when you find a wide, gentle stretch of soft sand to dig one's feet into, you appreciate the experience more than usual. As other reviewers have mentioned, this spot is close to Plaskett Creek and Kirk Creek Campgrounds, which are among the most popular camping spots in the area (usually full, so make online reservations well ahead of time if you plan on staying here). The beach, which is a state park with a $10 entrance fee, picnic tables, and restroom facilities, is just south of the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road intersection with Highway 1, making a nice rest stop if you are driving in from the San Antonio Valley. There is great beach walking here at low tide, with rocks and cliffs framing the crescent-shaped beach at both ends. You can use a wooden staircase to reach the beach, or you can opt for a dirt path that reaches the beach on a series of gentle switchbacks. My advice is to take the stairs down and explore the southern end of the beach first, then turn around and wander to the northern end, which allows you more easily to spot the unmarked walking path back to the parking area (look for a stone cairn at the beach end). There are sand dollars on the beach, but not many unless you get lucky. Chucks of serpentine and other well polished stones litter the beach in several places, reminding one of the massive tectonic forces that have shaped and reshaped this area for millions of years. In terms of sweeping views from the beach, it doesn't get much better than this. Surfers bob up and down in the waves. Children and their parents play in the sand and at water's edge, and hikers of all ages and skill levels meander about in respectful awe of the natural setting, which is part of the California Sea Otter Game Refuge, and has a windswept, rugged feel that positively exudes Big Sur cool. Because the beach is so easy to access, it is an attractive pitstop if you are visiting Highway 1 for the first time. It allows you to calm down from the thrills of the road and to prepare yourself for the the final stretch (if heading South) from Gorda and Ragged Point down to San Carporforo Creek and San Simeon Bay. While Andrew Molera Park, closer to Monterey, offers a more rigorous hike along the ocean bluffs and beaches, Sand Dollar wins you over with its sense of serenity, its gentleness, and its undeniable loveliness. A must-stop especially for those for whom Big Sur is more myth than reality, and who are looking for an convenient way to get their tired driving feet wet in the cool, dark waters of the mighty Pacific.

This beach is a little treasure and is the best, that I've encountered, along Big Sur. A pleasant walk down from the parking lot and enough space to be able to hang out for the day. The water is freezing and I've herd there's some dangerous tides so I decided to stay out of it. I did manage to find some awesome rocks and if you get lucky maybe some jade, although this is not jade beach.

My bar is pretty high since I grew up in Philippines and we are spoiled with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. But I must say, this place is not bad. In fact, pretty great! If you are willing to make the 4 hr drive from San Jose and trek the 10 minutes to get down to the beach, you will not be disappointed. Large open expanse of pristine beach. A small smattering of people here and there. Plus happy dogs romping around everywhere! Cant wait to come back. No issues with people not picking up their dog's poop. WARNING: There is a long walk to the beach from the parking lot. Not only long, but also a climb down! Don't even try lugging your giant wheelie coolers and giants foldable chairs.

A lot of people are saying it's good for dogs but the trail going down has a ton of no dogs signs unless there is a different part of the beach that allows them. Great beach and there's lots of sand dollars there. It's also nice because it's not crowded at all.

Love this beach. Get there early. You can either walk the path or the stars to the beach. We saw turkey vultures and hawks flying above us. This really is the perfect beach.

Visited Jade Cove and Sand Dollar Beach, two miles from each other. As we were heading back home from spending time at Pfeiffer Beach and hiking along Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, we wanted to check this place. Somewhat hidden, great place to spend the whole day. Clean beach, secluded and literally takes about 25 minutes to get to the beach. No camping, only day use!

We were here in mid september. No crowd. Like, absolutely deserted save for a few people every now and then that mostly kept to themselves. Toilets are literally holes in the ground. No running water either. What did you expect? Huntington Beach? There is a good walk from the small parking lot to the beach, ending with a few flights of steep-ish stairs. Going down was ok but brutal after surfing a few hours and trying to carry a 40lb longboard up stairs and the mini switchback trail. Advantage: shortboarders. The beach is sandy (duh) but along the base of the cliff is this natural cobblestone pile. Good for laying out things you don't want to get sand all over like backpacks and boardbags. Surfing here is awesome. The sand sets up in the cove and focuses the swell on either side of the channel in the middle. You can spread out a lot but I wouldn't recommend it - sharks will check you out if you're all alone. You can pick up jade stones, but keep to the ones that are already off the cliff and pretty much below the high tide line. The view from the beach and from the water is all time. There you are, at the edge of a continent, waves crashing about you, watching the fog mingle with the trees. I'm thankful for having that etched into my memory.

We got there a bit late when it was starting to sun set. This place was truly amazing and beautiful, I was a bit sad because we only found one sand dollar and it was super tiny. I will still give it 5 stars because it was still amazing.

This place is a hidden gem! We have been to Big Sur several times, but we never knew this place until this trip. We were expecting to see a small beach with a lot of sand dollars on the sand. Wrong. The beach is really specious! So beautiful! We couldn't find any full sand dollars, only a couple of half dollar or quarter Dollar (meaning it was broken), but totally worth it because we found this beautiful beach.

the perfect sunset. (pictures included)

I camped across the road from this beach, and WOW! was I ever pleased by what awaited me once I hiked down a somewhat treacherous trail that eventually met up with a well maintained wooden staircase. It is a beautiful mixture of scenery that displays wind and tide carved rocky crags among tumultuous white combed waves. Wildflower crowned granite cliffs and soft sandy beaches. The mornings during low tide are perfect for taking scenic photos and exploring the tide pools. The afternoons, romantic as a sun coaxed mist rises from the sands to form low floating clouds that drift on the salty breeze. The temperatures in this last week of June felt to be around the mid seventies during the days and got so cool in the evenings that I was forced to seek out the warmth of my sleeping bag. There is no cell phone service, providing a true outdoor experience away from the interruptions of ill-mannered technology. A definite 5 star outing :)

This is such a pretty beach which is relatively empty and allows dogs. We did not see many sand dollars on this beach :( but my husband did find one. I don't believe we paid for parking but I think it is because we just parked outside and walked in. I think if you park in their parking lot it is 10 bucks. Has portapotties but no other restrooms. Beautiful views! If you were coming from Monterey, there are probably other beaches that are closer that would give you the same thing like Pfeiffer state beach but I still think it is worth checking out if you want a nice beach.

My weekend getaway here compelled me to come out of my reviewing hibernation and YELP! Wow... what an experience. We camped across the street at Plaskett Creek campground, where we had a quaint and spacious site. We just sauntered across the street and headed to the beach everyday. Very cool crowd, both at the beach and campground, chock-full of surfers, surf-pups, surf-kiddies and sunbathers. Perfect little beginner waves and a huge stretch of beach so there's plenty of room. The water was pristine, the sun bright, and the beach full of adventure. If you head to the north end, there are huge rocks you can climb to take some great photos and even a cave to check out. Then we'd just cross Hwy 1 and go cook up some grub under the stars. If you leave by noon, you can cruise up the coast all the way toward the city, stopping along the way, and be at HMB Brewery by sunset. My idea of a perfect weekend getaway!

It's gorgeous here. Beautiful beach and nice walk down. Loved it. It's was very relaxing and calm. I can't wait to go back.

Beautiful little beach. There is a small walk down to the beach with stairs so beware if you are unable/unwilling to walk a bit. There are picnic tables and bathrooms near the parking lot but not down by the beach. The minus one star of for the bathroom. It truly is nasty. It's like porta potty but in a building. You can't sit on the seat unless you want to sit on everyone's stuff. YUCK! Would go back but would make sure I go to the bathroom somewhere else. $5 to park

This is my favorite beach in all of Big Sur, mainly because it is so spacious. I can go down there with all my gear, the whole family, our dog, etc. and we never feel cramped. the water is gorgeous, but freezing, and the walk down is moderately easy. I don't recommend it for elderly, and beware of poison oak! The address is definitely wrong, but I am assuming this was done on purpose, because who wants a beach like this to be ruined by tourists? NOBODY.

Beautiful beach. Hidden gem in Big Sur. Found it by accident while staying at the campground across the road.

This is really the most beutiful beach. We spend all day here every time we stay at Plaskett campground. When Summer hits, and the colleges let out this place becomes a party spot for both sourthern and northern California kids. I stay away mid June to End of August because because its like being at the main beach in Santa Cruz--lame. The rest of the year its very peaceful, same goes for Plaskett Campground.

First off this beach itself is 5 stars, its one of the few easily accessible surf breaks in Big Sur. It can get allot of people but is great on a weekday. Im giving the park service one star for people running the parking lot. After parking on the side of the road at 8:30 AM to check the surf i walked out of my car with a bottle of water and noticed a bit of trash on the ground next to my truck. I picked it up and walked down to check the surf. As Im walking down I placed the water bottle in the empty recycling bin and the trash in the empty trash bin. Good deed done for the day right? Nope, as Im walking down to the beach the dude who runs the kiosk is screaming something from across the parking lot. I can't hear him but he seems pretty pissed, then from behind me another park service lady starts screaming "CANT YOU HEAR HIM" at me. At this point I don't know what the hell is going on so I stop and listen to the lady "THAT TRASH CAN IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO PAY FOR THE PARKING LOT!" she's screaming at me "YOU NEED TO GET IT OUT OF THERE OR PAY ME 10$" at this point I'm pissed that she would even ask me this especially given that I just picked up half of it from the road 50' away.... It's not like I'm dumping BAGS of trash off. I told her she could get it out of there, which really pissed her off and an argument ensued. Anyway we gave in just paid the woman 10$. 10$ to throw away a bottle and someone else's trash, great.

We were so happy to find this beautiful, dog-friendly beach! Our dog absolutely adored it. We noticed several folks parking along the road rather than in the official park's lot. There is a trail just next to that lot that takes you around the picnic areas and down to the trail and stairs to the beach. We had a lovely picnic and look forward to coming back.