McWay Beach
California
APPEARED IN THE WORLD'S 50 BEST BEACHES, 2023
WHY WE LOVE McWay Beach
Mother Nature has reclaimed some of the most magical places in the world, and McWay Falls Beach is undoubtedly one of them. This epic beach features a captivating 80-foot waterfall cascading right on the golden cliffs and sand, making it unique and breathtaking. Even though you can only witness the beauty from a distance and can't touch the beach, it is still a must-visit destination. During high tide, the water from the waterfall drops directly into the powerful Pacific, while during low tide, the sandy bottom below is revealed. McWay Falls Beach is simply beyond anything we've ever seen, and it deserves a spot on your bucket list!
UNIQUE
The surrounding landscape of McWay Beach makes it very unique.
UNTOUCHED
McWay Beach is very far off the beaten path and is in a pristine state.
SOUNDTRACK OF NATURE
At McWay Beach, the only thing you will hear are the sounds of the ocean and nature.
T "This unique beach that you can see but you can't touch is just beyond breathtaking. A natural wonder with a waterfall right on the beach, does it get any better?! "
-TINE HOLST, @WORLDS50BEACHES
McWay Beach WEATHER AVERAGES
| AVG. HIGH | AVG. LOW | RAINY DAYS | |
| JANUARY | 15 ° | 9 ° | 6.3 |
| FEBRUARY | 16 ° | 9 ° | 6.8 |
| MARCH | 15 ° | 9 ° | 5.6 |
| APRIL | 15 ° | 9 ° | 2.8 |
| MAY | 16 ° | 10 ° | 1.2 |
| JUNE | 17 ° | 11 ° | 0.3 |
| JULY | 18 ° | 12 ° | 0.1 |
| AUGUST | 18 ° | 13 ° | 0.1 |
| SEPTEMBER | 19 ° | 13 ° | 0.5 |
| OCTOBER | 19 ° | 12 ° | 1.8 |
| NOVEMBER | 17 ° | 11 ° | 4 |
| DECEMBER | 15 ° | 10 ° | 6.1 |
THE PERFECT DAY AT McWay Beach
Big Sur boasts over 300 sunny days per year, so you really can't go wrong with any time to visit. However, the most popular time to go is from April to October when the weather is at its warmest. If you're planning on indulging in warm-weather activities, then aim for the summer months. You won't be able to swim at McWay Falls, so you don't necessarily need the warmest weather. This means you can avoid the peak season and still enjoy the falls. We highly recommend seeing the falls during both low and high tide. During high tide, the water rushes straight into the Pacific Ocean, which is truly awe-inspiring. However, the golden sand below the falls is equally stunning during low tide. There's a campsite in the area, as well as many trails with picnic spots, so be sure to come prepared and catch this epic spot at sunrise, sunset, low tide, and high tide.