Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER
ten
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
A
T THE NAME
B
IG
S
UR
, many picture a landscape of ancient redwoods along clear
creeks that cascade down to the Pacific. Others immediately think of Pfeiffer Big
Sur State Park, the region's most popular park, a top spot to camp, picnic, hike, and
swim. Hikers come for redwood-lined gorges, oak woodlands, lush forests of syca-
mores, maples, alders and willows, open meadows blanketed in spring wildflowers,
and a deep, narrow canyon along the Big Sur River that offers opportunities to swim
and sunbathe. Although the park lies along Highway 1, it's more than a mile inland—a
blessing for those hoping to escape the fog that blankets the coast most summer days.
This parcel belonged to John Pfeiffer, son of Michael and Barbara Pfeiffer, who in
1869 became the first European immigrants to permanently settle in the region. John's
wife, Florence, launched the first resort in Big Sur after deciding to charge freeloading
guests for room and board. The Big Sur Lodge stands on this site, while the couple's
1884 homestead cabin lies along the Oak Grove Trail. In 1930 a Los Angeles developer
offered John Pfeiffer $210,000 for his 1200-acre property, with the intent to parcel it
off as a subdivision. Fortunately, the offer was rejected, and in 1933 the State of Cali-
fornia purchased 700 acres and named the new park in Pfeiffer's honor.
