Sand Dollar Beach

Sand Dollar Day-Use Picnic Area is along the southern Big Sur coast about half-way between Cambria and Big Sur Station. The picnic area and Sand Dollar Beach are popular in the summer months. Surfers ride the waves here as this is one of the few worthy surf spots in all of Big Sur.

Plaskett Creek Campground is nearby across Highway 1 so the beach gets day-use visitors and campers as well. Luckily it’s a long and wide sandy beach with lots of elbow room.

Despite the name, the beach is not littered with sand dollars most of the time. Your best bet is to go at at low tides during the winter months when waves can push lightweight sand dollars ashore. Any time of year is still worth walking the beach to look for them and other beachcombing items left behind by the highest tides.

Beautiful jade stones and other rounded sea rocks can also be found along the back of the beach. Nearby Jade Cove has more of these lovely green rocks, but the largest and most valuable ones have been hauled out already.

From the parking lot at the picnic area there is a footpath that leads to a long wooden stairway. At the bottom is a wide sandy beach with large rocks in the surf at the south end.

Address

69232 Cabrillo Hwy
Big Sur, CA 93920

Park Name

Sand Dollar Picnic Area, Los Padres National Forest

Owner

National Forest

Pet Details

Dogs allowed on leash

Fees

Fee for parking, camping

Activities

Beach Walking, Fishing, Picnicking, Beachcombing, Rockhounding, Camping, Surfing

Amenities

Campground, Restrooms, Picnic Tables, BBQs

Links

Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart