Wreck Beach

Wreck Beach is below private property on Los Padres National Forest lands near Big Sur Station. The beach has been shown on USGS maps for many years, but it is seldom spoken of. It’s a narrow beach of rock and sand below very steep hillsides. The property has about a dozen homes on it and a couple steep trails that lead down to the beach. Directly above Wreck Beach is a unique building designed by Thomas Cowens that has been called the Abalone House (even though it looks like a nautilus seashell from above). Access to this property and Wreck Beach is via Pias Ranch Road which branches off Sycamore Canyon Road on the way to Pfeiffer Beach. Unfortunately it is currently gated, locked, signed “No Trespassing” and closed off to the general public. If you are in the area, it is worth the long drive on a dirt road and a nominal day-use fee to visit Pfeiffer Beach which has an excellent sandy beach and a huge rock arch to photograph.

Address

9525 Pias Ranch Rd
Big Sur, CA 93920

Park Name

Los Padres National Forest

Owner

National Forest / Private

Activities

Beach Exploration

Amenities

No Facilities

Links

Aerial View of Wreck Beach
Tide Chart
Water Temps
Surfing Info & Web Cams