McWay Falls

McWay Falls is a coastal waterfall in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California, that drops around 80 feet (24 m) from a granite cliff into the ocean below. The water descends through dense vegetation and lands on a small sandy cove or directly into the surf, depending on the tide.

In 1924 the Brown family purchased the land from Christopher McWay and established Saddle Rock Ranch on the property. The family later donated the ranch to the state of California so it could become a public park.

The falls carry the name of Christopher McWay, an early settler who claimed land here when the coast was still wilderness. Today the site remains a place where visitors watch freshwater meet the ocean in a single motion.

A short loop trail of about half a mile leads from the parking area near Highway 1 to a raised viewing platform overlooking the waterfall. The path is relatively flat and suitable for most visitors, though it can get crowded during summer months.

Only two waterfalls in California drop straight into the ocean, and this is one of them. The other one, Alamere Falls, lies farther north along the coast.

Location: California

Part of: McWay Creek

GPS coordinates: 36.15861,-121.67167

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:20