Pfeiffer Falls Trail [CLOSED] is a 1.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Big Sur, California that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round.
NOTE: The Pfeiffer Falls Trail is currently closed for construction according to the park website (December 2, 2020) but the Valley View Trail is open. For up to date information on this trail please see here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29833 This route has a nice climb and a lovely waterfall at the end...it's a great picnicking spot.
California Travel and Tourism Commision, P.O. Box 1499 , Sacramento, CA, 95812-1499, Phone: 800-862-2543
Directions from LA Basin: Drive south on Interstate 15 to Highway 79 South (Temecula). Follow Hwy. 79 approximately 25 miles southeast to the Forest Service station at Oak Grove (west side of highway). Trailhead parking is located behind the office.
The trail was closed but we snuck by the closed sign and it was completely safe and beautiful. We moved really slow because I was with my 7 year old son and we explored a lot and hung our hammock for a while too. A great trail for kids.
This is a pretty trail but when I went it had a lot of trash (be a Good Samaritan and pick some up peeps!!) The waterfall itself was smaller than I expected but it is still worth hiking to. This hike is a a decent uphill until you reach the trail head for the falls where it gets more downhill.
Great hike with plenty of level ground and up hill climbing. Lots of wildlife and people so you are not alone on the trail. The water fall is decent however lots of bugs when you get there so it's hard to enjoy the falls for long. Parking in the hotel lot near the end was fine, they didn't tow us.
I've done this hike twice, and both times I've enjoyed this quick short hike. The waterfall isn't no McWay Falls, but it's still a cute little waterfall. There wasn't many people on the trail when I went both times and once you're on top of the rock to get a better view, it's a good time to sit, take out some snacks, and have a little break. We also decided to do the Valley View Trail along with this hike to make it longer. Visited May 2015 and December 2015