Sand Dollar Beach
Sand Dollar Beach
Map showing the location of Sand Dollar Beach
Map showing the location of Sand Dollar Beach
Map showing the location of Sand Dollar Beach
Map showing the location of Sand Dollar Beach
LocationMonterey County, United States
Nearest cityGorda
Coordinates35°55′26″N 121°28′27″W / 35.92389°N 121.47417°W / 35.92389; -121.47417
Governing bodyCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation

Sand Dollar Beach is a .5 miles (0.80 km) long beach in Big Sur, California, one of the longest publicly accessible beaches on that coast. It is within the Los Padres National Forest and across Highway 1 from Plaskett Creek Campground. There is a picnic area, bathrooms, and barbeque pits at the parking area. There is a $10 access fee payable at the parking lot managed by a concession company. Dogs are permitted on leash while on the trail and off leash at the beach.[1] Beach access is open daily from sunrise to sunset and is only available for day use. Swimming and wading are not recommended due to dangerous surf conditions and strong rip currents.[2]

There is a .25 miles (0.40 km) access trail through a row of Monterey pines to a trail running along the top of a grassy bluff. There are views along the seaside bluff with long views up and down the coast. The beach is about .5 miles (0.80 km) long and longer at low tide. It is popular with hikers and photographers due to its breathtaking bluffs. A steep 120 feet (37 m) trail leads from the bluff to a wooden staircase that descends the final 40 feet (12 m) down to the beach.[3] A short trail to the south leads to an overlook guarded by a wooden railing. It is possible to see whales migrating along the coast during certain parts of the year.[3][4] A large white sea stack named Plaskett Rock is visible, offshore from Plaskett Rock Point, the headland that separates Sand Dollar Beach from Jade Cove. Cone Peak in the Santa Lucia Mountains is visible to the northeast.[3]

The beach is 3.7 miles (6.0 km) north of the small commercial center of Gorda and 38.5 miles (62.0 km) north of Cambria. It is 25 miles (40 km) south of Big Sur Village on Highway 1.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Sand Dollar Beach Day Use". U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "Sand Dollar Beach & Jade Cove in Big Sur". Monterey Farmgirl. 15 August 2018. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Sand Dollar Beach | Big Sur | Hikespeak.com". www.hikespeak.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  4. ↑ "Sand Dollar Beach Day Use Area". Campgrounds, RV Sites, Day Use Areas in California | Camp One. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  5. ↑ Strong, Kathy. "Wild curves, waves — and food in Big Sur". The Desert Sun. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
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