Pfeiffer Big Sur - California State Parks - State of California
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is loved for the serenity of its forests and the pristine, fragile beauty of the Big Sur River as it meanders
California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (831) 667-2315. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected].
through the park.
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov
SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park 47225 Highway 1 Big Sur, CA 93920 (831) 667-2315 • www.parks.ca.gov/pbssp © 2013 California State Parks (Rev. 2015)
Big Sur River
O
n the western slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the peaks of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park tower high above the Big Sur River Gorge. This is a place where the land, the sea, and forests of giant redwoods adjoin in a rugged landscape jigsaw puzzle. In winter, temperatures range from the 20s to the 50s. Summer mornings bring fog, which usually burns off by midday. PARK HISTORY The Esselen and Rumsien People Early archaeological evidence of the Esselen and Rumsien (also known as Costanoan) presence on the Central Coast dates back about 8,000 years. Though physical remnants of these prehistoric Native Americans have not been well documented, a few items discovered in the area — projectile points, bedrock mortars, and various shells — have been attributed to them. Esselen and Rumsien people still live in the Big Sur area, where they honor and practice the traditions of their ancestors.
Big Sur Settlers In 1834, Governor José Figueroa granted acreage to Juan Bautista Alvarado. Alvarado’s El Sur Rancho stretched from the River Chiquito del Sur (in today’s Carmel Valley) to below the Big Sur River. Mexico ceded California to the U.S. in 1848, at the end of the Mexican-American War. Beginning around 1862, the area was settled by people whose names — Pfeiffer, Partington, Post, Gamboa — are still found on local street signs and businesses. The park’s Manuel Peak was named for a member of the Chumash tribe, Immanuel Innocente, head cattle wrangler at El Sur Rancho. In 1868, Innocente moved his family north from San Buenaventura to the Big Sur area. That year they bought property along the river in what is now the park. Michael and Barbara Pfeiffer arrived here in 1869, settling at the mouth of Sycamore Canyon to ranch, farm, and keep bees. Their son, John, lived along the Big Sur River, near the site of the Homestead cabin.
In the early 20th century, a developer offered to buy some of John Pfeiffer’s land, planning to build a subdivision. Pfeiffer refused. Instead, he sold 680 acres — which became the nucleus of today’s park — to the State of California in 1933. The Civilian Conservation Corps The Great Depression was in full force in the early 1930s. One of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first official acts was to create the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC employed young men to develop recreational areas and conserve natural resources. From 1933 to 1942, nearly 2.5 million CCC corpsmen built roads, trails, and structures in more than 800 state and federal parks and planted nearly three billion trees. The men here at CCC Camp S.P. 12 built campgrounds, buildings, fences, a footbridge, and trails in this park. Their wood and stone “park rustic” style used redwood lumber and river rocks as building materials. Between construction jobs, they tackled fires and problematic poison oak.
Before and after Highway 1: In 1937, the new highway was completed, forever changing the serene ranch lands. Following World War II, the state highway brought travelers enthralled by the beauty of the area to the park. These photos from 1954 show remote Big Sur’s increasing popularity.
Interpretive hike
Big Sur Lodge
Swimming hole at Big Sur River
the creeks. On hillsides, manzanita, buckeye, and coast live oak have spread. Scientists are concerned that increased temperatures and decreased fog from climate change threaten the survival of the coast redwoods forest.
Basin Complex fire, 2008 NATURAL HISTORY Wildlife — Cooper’s hawks, spotted owls, and purple martins perform sky acrobatics. Endangered or threatened animals include California condors and steelhead. On the ground and in the air, ringtails, bobcats, Steller’s jays, gray foxes, and belted kingfishers go about their business. Plants — Coast redwoods, near the southern end of their natural range, flourish in creek drainages and along the Big Sur River. At their feet are ferns, redwood sorrel, and other shade-tolerant plants. Bigleaf maples, sycamores, alders, cottonwoods, and willows grow along the river and
The Basin Complex Fire On June 21, 2008, lightning strikes caused a wildfire that burned more than 160,000 acres along the Big Sur coast. Still-recovering parts of the park may not yet be available for use. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Big Sur Station — A visitor center for the area parks is south at 47555 Highway 1. Big Sur Lodge — The lodge concession has 61 rooms, cottages, a conference center, a cafe, a gift shop, and a grocery store. Visit www.bigsurlodge.com for details. Day Use — Valley View Trail’s east fork leads to a 60-foot waterfall. The many miles of park trails adjoin 200 miles of trails in the nearby Ventana Wilderness of Los Padres National Forest. Visitors may play softball on the field near Big Sur River.
Camping — More than 150 recreational vehicle and tent sites lie along the Big Sur River. Hike/bike sites and two group tent sites are available to campers; no RVs are allowed in these sites. Reserve campsites up to seven months ahead at www.parks. ca.gov/pbssp or call (800) 444-7275. Campfires are held in the evenings. Ask for an interpretive program schedule. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Several campsites, the picnic areas, and the restrooms are accessible. For accessibility updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. PLEASE REMEMBER • All park features are protected by law and may not be disturbed. Stay on trails to avoid poison oak throughout the park. • Protect fish nests in the river; do not move rocks, branches, or other materials. • Please do not feed wildlife. • Except for service animals, pets may not use trails, the river, or other natural areas. All animals must be on a six-foot leash. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 11 miles south of Big Sur on Highway 1 Big Sur 93920 (831) 667-2315 • Andrew Molera State Park 4 miles to the north on Highway 1 Big Sur 93920 (831) 667-2315 This park receives support in part from a nonprofit organization. For more information, contact: Big Sur Natural History Association P.O. Box 274, Big Sur, CA 93920
Belted kingfisher
3200
00
24
3000 2800
1
os
rail tT
C
1000
1
AT E
PROP
E RT Y
Campground Campground: Group Campground: Hike & Bike
Laundry 100
1200 0
ar
s d’
Ro
ver Ri
os t
Big Sur Station
Bi
g
Su
No Public Access 800
600
Pin e Rid ge
a Tr
0
il
P
Tr a
1400 0 160
il
S TAT E
600
0
0
0
Fort Hunter Liggett
0
30 Km
00
Restrooms
Supplies Trailhead
1200
Viewpoint
Hearst San Simeon SP & SHM 20 Mi
22
1800
100
800
00
Showers
PA R K 80
P R O P E RT Y
400
P R I V AT E
20
0
160
60
Picnic Area: Group
RV Sanitation Station
1400
Andrew Molera SP
400
Parking
800 1000 1200
600
r
00
ue l
Locked Gate
1400
il
M
an
Homestead Cabin
0
Campfire Center
14
zz
0
600
40
Buzzard’s Roost
Colonial Tree
600
Nature Center
0
Bridge: Seasonal
Day-Use Lot 4
L O S P A D R E S N AT I O N A L F O R E S T
800
P
Bu
80
40
Bridge
Homestead Cabin
00
0
0
P
16
80
60
e
1000
Tra
00
Pf
Big Sur Lodge
iff
BIG SUR
er
Mt
10
Lodge Cabins
Park Entrance
Accessible Feature
Big Sur Station
Group Camp A
Group Camp B
Trail: Accessible
1800
Cree
k
00
1400
12
l Trai
PRIV
il Tra i dge Pine R
View
Pfeiffer Falls
r Su
er Riv
Softball Field
B
2200
Valley View
A
il Tra rge Go
Ro
0
Liewald Flat
800
Trail
Day-Use Lot 3 P
00
y
River
0
d ’s ar
00
600
Big
Val le
400
P 22
200
60
2400
400
Sur
Paved Road
2600
Bu zz
00
120
10
800
1
14
Major Road
Big Sur Station
to Monterey
PFEIFFER
Legend
00
20
00
22
Nature Center
to Los Padres National Forest el T nu
P Day-Use Lot 2
rl
Redwood Grove
P Day-Use Lot 1
00
S t a t e Park
Kiosk 32
00
0
Pfeiffer Big Sur
Trl
re
18
60
tu Na
0
Bi g
00
28
0 0 18
00
Mt M a
00
00
Big Sur R iver
12
00 80
26
30
10
1600 1400
© 2013 California State Parks (Rev. 2015)
14
1 0.5 Miles
0
0.8 Kilometers
0
to Lucia
1600
00
00
10
10
00
1400 1
Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is loved for the serenity of its forests and the pristine, fragile beauty of the Big Sur River as it meanders
California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (831) 667-2315. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected].
through the park.
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov
SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park 47225 Highway 1 Big Sur, CA 93920 (831) 667-2315 • www.parks.ca.gov/pbssp © 2013 California State Parks (Rev. 2015)
Big Sur River
O
n the western slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the peaks of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park tower high above the Big Sur River Gorge. This is a place where the land, the sea, and forests of giant redwoods adjoin in a rugged landscape jigsaw puzzle. In winter, temperatures range from the 20s to the 50s. Summer mornings bring fog, which usually burns off by midday. PARK HISTORY The Esselen and Rumsien People Early archaeological evidence of the Esselen and Rumsien (also known as Costanoan) presence on the Central Coast dates back about 8,000 years. Though physical remnants of these prehistoric Native Americans have not been well documented, a few items discovered in the area — projectile points, bedrock mortars, and various shells — have been attributed to them. Esselen and Rumsien people still live in the Big Sur area, where they honor and practice the traditions of their ancestors.
Big Sur Settlers In 1834, Governor José Figueroa granted acreage to Juan Bautista Alvarado. Alvarado’s El Sur Rancho stretched from the River Chiquito del Sur (in today’s Carmel Valley) to below the Big Sur River. Mexico ceded California to the U.S. in 1848, at the end of the Mexican-American War. Beginning around 1862, the area was settled by people whose names — Pfeiffer, Partington, Post, Gamboa — are still found on local street signs and businesses. The park’s Manuel Peak was named for a member of the Chumash tribe, Immanuel Innocente, head cattle wrangler at El Sur Rancho. In 1868, Innocente moved his family north from San Buenaventura to the Big Sur area. That year they bought property along the river in what is now the park. Michael and Barbara Pfeiffer arrived here in 1869, settling at the mouth of Sycamore Canyon to ranch, farm, and keep bees. Their son, John, lived along the Big Sur River, near the site of the Homestead cabin.
In the early 20th century, a developer offered to buy some of John Pfeiffer’s land, planning to build a subdivision. Pfeiffer refused. Instead, he sold 680 acres — which became the nucleus of today’s park — to the State of California in 1933. The Civilian Conservation Corps The Great Depression was in full force in the early 1930s. One of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first official acts was to create the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC employed young men to develop recreational areas and conserve natural resources. From 1933 to 1942, nearly 2.5 million CCC corpsmen built roads, trails, and structures in more than 800 state and federal parks and planted nearly three billion trees. The men here at CCC Camp S.P. 12 built campgrounds, buildings, fences, a footbridge, and trails in this park. Their wood and stone “park rustic” style used redwood lumber and river rocks as building materials. Between construction jobs, they tackled fires and problematic poison oak.
Before and after Highway 1: In 1937, the new highway was completed, forever changing the serene ranch lands. Following World War II, the state highway brought travelers enthralled by the beauty of the area to the park. These photos from 1954 show remote Big Sur’s increasing popularity.
Interpretive hike
Big Sur Lodge
Swimming hole at Big Sur River
the creeks. On hillsides, manzanita, buckeye, and coast live oak have spread. Scientists are concerned that increased temperatures and decreased fog from climate change threaten the survival of the coast redwoods forest.
Basin Complex fire, 2008 NATURAL HISTORY Wildlife — Cooper’s hawks, spotted owls, and purple martins perform sky acrobatics. Endangered or threatened animals include California condors and steelhead. On the ground and in the air, ringtails, bobcats, Steller’s jays, gray foxes, and belted kingfishers go about their business. Plants — Coast redwoods, near the southern end of their natural range, flourish in creek drainages and along the Big Sur River. At their feet are ferns, redwood sorrel, and other shade-tolerant plants. Bigleaf maples, sycamores, alders, cottonwoods, and willows grow along the river and
The Basin Complex Fire On June 21, 2008, lightning strikes caused a wildfire that burned more than 160,000 acres along the Big Sur coast. Still-recovering parts of the park may not yet be available for use. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Big Sur Station — A visitor center for the area parks is south at 47555 Highway 1. Big Sur Lodge — The lodge concession has 61 rooms, cottages, a conference center, a cafe, a gift shop, and a grocery store. Visit www.bigsurlodge.com for details. Day Use — Valley View Trail’s east fork leads to a 60-foot waterfall. The many miles of park trails adjoin 200 miles of trails in the nearby Ventana Wilderness of Los Padres National Forest. Visitors may play softball on the field near Big Sur River.
Camping — More than 150 recreational vehicle and tent sites lie along the Big Sur River. Hike/bike sites and two group tent sites are available to campers; no RVs are allowed in these sites. Reserve campsites up to seven months ahead at www.parks. ca.gov/pbssp or call (800) 444-7275. Campfires are held in the evenings. Ask for an interpretive program schedule. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Several campsites, the picnic areas, and the restrooms are accessible. For accessibility updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. PLEASE REMEMBER • All park features are protected by law and may not be disturbed. Stay on trails to avoid poison oak throughout the park. • Protect fish nests in the river; do not move rocks, branches, or other materials. • Please do not feed wildlife. • Except for service animals, pets may not use trails, the river, or other natural areas. All animals must be on a six-foot leash. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 11 miles south of Big Sur on Highway 1 Big Sur 93920 (831) 667-2315 • Andrew Molera State Park 4 miles to the north on Highway 1 Big Sur 93920 (831) 667-2315 This park receives support in part from a nonprofit organization. For more information, contact: Big Sur Natural History Association P.O. Box 274, Big Sur, CA 93920
Belted kingfisher
3200
00
24
3000 2800
1
os
rail tT
C
1000
1
AT E
PROP
E RT Y
Campground Campground: Group Campground: Hike & Bike
Laundry 100
1200 0
ar
s d’
Ro
ver Ri
os t
Big Sur Station
Bi
g
Su
No Public Access 800
600
Pin e Rid ge
a Tr
0
il
P
Tr a
1400 0 160
il
S TAT E
600
0
0
0
Fort Hunter Liggett
0
30 Km
00
Restrooms
Supplies Trailhead
1200
Viewpoint
Hearst San Simeon SP & SHM 20 Mi
22
1800
100
800
00
Showers
PA R K 80
P R O P E RT Y
400
P R I V AT E
20
0
160
60
Picnic Area: Group
RV Sanitation Station
1400
Andrew Molera SP
400
Parking
800 1000 1200
600
r
00
ue l
Locked Gate
1400
il
M
an
Homestead Cabin
0
Campfire Center
14
zz
0
600
40
Buzzard’s Roost
Colonial Tree
600
Nature Center
0
Bridge: Seasonal
Day-Use Lot 4
L O S P A D R E S N AT I O N A L F O R E S T
800
P
Bu
80
40
Bridge
Homestead Cabin
00
0
0
P
16
80
60
e
1000
Tra
00
Pf
Big Sur Lodge
iff
BIG SUR
er
Mt
10
Lodge Cabins
Park Entrance
Accessible Feature
Big Sur Station
Group Camp A
Group Camp B
Trail: Accessible
1800
Cree
k
00
1400
12
l Trai
PRIV
il Tra i dge Pine R
View
Pfeiffer Falls
r Su
er Riv
Softball Field
B
2200
Valley View
A
il Tra rge Go
Ro
0
Liewald Flat
800
Trail
Day-Use Lot 3 P
00
y
River
0
d ’s ar
00
600
Big
Val le
400
P 22
200
60
2400
400
Sur
Paved Road
2600
Bu zz
00
120
10
800
1
14
Major Road
Big Sur Station
to Monterey
PFEIFFER
Legend
00
20
00
22
Nature Center
to Los Padres National Forest el T nu
P Day-Use Lot 2
rl
Redwood Grove
P Day-Use Lot 1
00
S t a t e Park
Kiosk 32
00
0
Pfeiffer Big Sur
Trl
re
18
60
tu Na
0
Bi g
00
28
0 0 18
00
Mt M a
00
00
Big Sur R iver
12
00 80
26
30
10
1600 1400
© 2013 California State Parks (Rev. 2015)
14
1 0.5 Miles
0
0.8 Kilometers
0
to Lucia
1600
00
00
10
10
00
1400 1
