A great way to explore the dramatic waterfront on the Big Sur coast is to take a hike down the action-packed Partington Cove Trail. This 1.5-mile hike begins at the top of a gated fire road on the west side of Highway One and descends toward the coast to a junction at an information kiosk 0.3 miles and 200 feet below. To the left is a short 0.1-mile spur to a shady area along Partington Creek. To the right of the kiosk, a single-track continues for a couple hundred feet to another junction. The main trail turns left across a bridge to Partington Cove, while a footpath heads straight to an isolated beach. Definitely visit both destinations.

Partington Cove Trail

The trail to the cove crosses the creek, turns right, and reaches a tunnel carved through a wall of rock. Walk through this 60-foot tunnel to the long cove on the other side. The tunnel was constructed in the 1880s for John Partington, who transported oak from the Tanbark forests in the mountains above to ships moored in the eponymous cove.

The tunnel to the cove

Beyond the tunnel, follow the trail along the right side of the cove to Partington Point. Enjoy the view up and down the coast before hiking back 0.2 miles to the junction.

Partington Point

The path to the beach is a quick 0.15 miles through high brush and blackberry bushes. The path ends at a beach of boulders and sand in a small cove where the waters of Partington Creek spill out over the rocks and join the sea. There are no sweeping coastal views, but this is a nice spot to relax and look out at the big blue.

The beach

All that is left to do is hike back up to Highway One, after a very enjoyable multi-faceted coastal excursion. Just across the road is the less visited Tanbark Trail, which accesses mountain forests upstream. A bridge ¼ mile from the highway forms the top of a quick loop, or you may venture further up the trail in to the Santa Lucia Mountains. No fee or permit is required to visit Partington Cove, so get out and enjoy.

To get to the trailhead: The top of the trail is located on the inside of a bend in Highway One, 6 miles south of Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur, and 2 miles north of the entrance to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (across from McWay Falls). From Ragged Point, drive 39.3 miles north and park along the highway at the trailhead (62.1 miles north of Cambria).

Use the map below to create your own directions:

Photos

 

                                             

These photos were taken in May of 2010. Click to enlarge.

 

Nearby Trails

 

	McWay Falls This 0.6-mile hike looks out on a stunning Big Sur waterfall that pours 80 feet right on to the beach.
	Jade Cove and Plaskett Rock Point This 1.5-mile hike along an ocean bluff visits a prominent peninsula and a small cove.
	Salmon Creek Falls This 0.6-mile hike visits a fine 120-foot waterfall near the start of Salmon Creek Trail.
	Cerro San Luis from Laguna Lake Park This 5.7-mile hike summits one of the Nine Sisters just west of downtown San Luis Obispo.
	More Central Coast Hikes Explore other destinations along the California coast between Ventura and Monterey, including trails in Los Padres National Forest.

 

Similar Trails

 

	Bluff Trail in Montana de Oro State Park This level 3.4-mile hike passes tide pools and beaches along a picturesque rocky coastline in San Luis Obispo County.
	Point Buchon Trail This 1 1/3 to 6.8-mile hike explores the beautiful coastline south of Montana de Oro State Park.

 

More Info

 

Partington Cove on hikinginbigsur.com

The official website for Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park