Right Beaches › California › Big Sur
Willow Creek Picnic Area and Beach
4.7★ · 292 Google ratings · Big Sur, California
✓ Parking✓ Short walk✓ Restrooms
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 270 ft away · paid
Walk
475 yd · 6 min
Restrooms
Yes · 100 ft away
Cost
Paid parking
Water
62°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Tide
3 ft range today
Sand
200 yd from the water to the back
Crowds
Quietest Mon 6pm
Map of Willow Creek Picnic Area and Beach
1
2
1Parking175 yd from the listing2Restrooms110 ft from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Bring a camera for rocks and surf
The dramatic rocky coastline, creek meeting the ocean, and wave sets make this a strong spot for photography and sightseeing.
Walk down to find solitude
The overlook parking area can feel crowded, but hiking down to the actual beach offers a quieter, less-visited spot.
Arrive early for parking
The small lot fills quickly, especially on weekends, and the narrow road down makes turnarounds difficult when spaces are occupied.
Check wind and weather first
Conditions vary significantly, with reviewers noting windy days and fog that can obscure the views.
Plan for a $10 day-use fee
The lot now charges a per-vehicle day-use fee to access the facilities and beach area.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
64°F · overcast
Water
62°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Waves
4.3 ft · 11 s apart
Wind
8 mph from the N
Shelter
Onshore · wind blowing straight in off the water
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 06:09 | High tide | ↑ |
| 08:50 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 16:05 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:34 AM.
Crowds
When it gets busy
| 8a | 9a | 10a | 11a | 12p | 1p | 2p | 3p | 4p | 5p | 6p | 7p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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QuietBusy
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920
🅿 Parking 270 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 475 yd away, about 6 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 100 ft away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
1.5 miles away
1.9 miles away
2.1 miles away · shorter walk
21 miles away
22 miles away
22 miles away
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Willow Creek Picnic Area and Beach?
The nearest mapped parking area is 270 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Willow Creek Picnic Area and Beach?
150 ft in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, under a minute. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does Willow Creek Picnic Area and Beach have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 100 ft from the listing.
When is Willow Creek Picnic Area and Beach least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Mon 6pm and the busiest at Mon 1pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
