Partington Cove

Partington Cove is a scenic cove along the dramatic Big Sur coast of California in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park that was once a loading dock for lumber being shipped to San Francisco to help with the rebuild effort after the 1906 earthquake. Legend has it, the cove was also used to smuggle alcohol during prohibition. The hike is relatively short, but steep and passes over a wooden bridge and through an old tunnel in route to the scenic bench overlooking Partington Cove. The cove is a well known entry for scuba diving (by permit only, obtainable at Big Sur Station). The trailhead is about 2 miles north of McWay Falls, and parking is free along Highway 1.