The sea temperature at Big Sur (McWay Cove) today is 19.7 °C (67 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 13.7 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has warmed from 17.3 °C to 19.7 °C. Rarely swimmable – the sea seldom averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.6°C / 52.8°F | 12.0°C / 53.5°F | 12.6°C / 54.7°F |
| February | 10.8°C / 51.4°F | 11.5°C / 52.6°F | 12.5°C / 54.5°F |
| March | 10.3°C / 50.5°F | 10.8°C / 51.5°F | 11.8°C / 53.3°F |
| April | 9.4°C / 49.0°F | 10.3°C / 50.5°F | 11.3°C / 52.3°F |
| May | 9.6°C / 49.2°F | 10.3°C / 50.5°F | 10.9°C / 51.7°F |
| June | 10.5°C / 51.0°F | 11.0°C / 51.8°F | 11.9°C / 53.3°F |
| July | 10.2°C / 50.4°F | 11.4°C / 52.4°F | 12.2°C / 54.0°F |
| August | 11.7°C / 53.1°F | 12.6°C / 54.7°F | 13.2°C / 55.8°F |
| September | 12.7°C / 54.8°F | 13.9°C / 57.1°F | 14.9°C / 58.7°F |
| October | 13.0°C / 55.4°F | 13.7°C / 56.6°F | 14.5°C / 58.1°F |
| November | 11.6°C / 52.8°F | 12.9°C / 55.2°F | 14.1°C / 57.3°F |
| December | 12.1°C / 53.7°F | 13.0°C / 55.3°F | 14.0°C / 57.2°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.6°C / 47.5°F | 10.4°C / 50.6°F | 12.5°C / 54.4°F |
| February | 7.8°C / 46.1°F | 9.9°C / 49.9°F | 12.1°C / 53.7°F |
| March | 7.8°C / 46.0°F | 9.7°C / 49.5°F | 11.6°C / 52.9°F |
| April | 8.3°C / 46.9°F | 10.5°C / 51.0°F | 12.5°C / 54.5°F |
| May | 9.3°C / 48.7°F | 11.6°C / 53.0°F | 13.6°C / 56.4°F |
| June | 11.2°C / 52.2°F | 13.8°C / 56.8°F | 15.9°C / 60.5°F |
| July | 12.5°C / 54.5°F | 15.2°C / 59.3°F | 17.3°C / 63.2°F |
| August | 13.3°C / 55.9°F | 15.9°C / 60.7°F | 18.1°C / 64.6°F |
| September | 13.8°C / 56.8°F | 16.1°C / 61.1°F | 18.2°C / 64.7°F |
| October | 12.3°C / 54.1°F | 14.6°C / 58.4°F | 16.8°C / 62.2°F |
| November | 10.0°C / 50.0°F | 12.2°C / 53.9°F | 14.2°C / 57.5°F |
| December | 9.4°C / 48.9°F | 11.0°C / 51.7°F | 12.6°C / 54.8°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
McWay Cove holidays
In Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park on California's Big Sur coast, McWay Falls drops about 24 m from a granite cliff onto the sand of McWay Cove, a small beach that can only be seen from above. Big Sur itself is the rugged coast of roughly 145 km between Carmel and San Simeon, where Highway 1 winds along the mountainside high above the Pacific.
Beaches
When open, the short McWay Falls Overlook Trail leads from the parking area of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park under Highway 1 to a view of the falls, so check the park's closure notices before visiting; the cove itself is off limits. For a walk on the sand, Pfeiffer Beach has streaks of purple sand and Keyhole Arch, a rock that waves wash through, while Garrapata State Beach in the north and Sand Dollar Beach in the south are also popular. The Pacific along Big Sur is cold, with strong currents and sudden sneaker waves, so the beaches are better for walks than for swimming. The sea temperature on this page is measured off McWay Cove.
Things to do
Bixby Creek Bridge, a concrete arch built in 1932, is a classic photo stop in the north of Big Sur. When open, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has trails among redwoods, and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve near Carmel has coves where sea lions and sea otters can be seen. South of Big Sur, elephant seals gather on the beaches at Piedras Blancas, near Hearst Castle in San Simeon. The drive along Highway 1 is a sight in itself, but landslides can close sections of the road, so check the current conditions before setting out.
Weather and best time to visit
Big Sur has a mild coastal climate, and fog often covers the shore on summer mornings; September and October are usually the clearest and warmest months. Most rain falls between November and April, when storms can trigger landslides. Spring brings wildflowers and full waterfalls, and summer weekends are the busiest time.
Hotels and where to stay
Places to stay on Big Sur are few and spread out: lodges, inns and campgrounds cluster in the Big Sur River valley and along Highway 1, and many visitors stay in Carmel or Monterey and drive down for the day.
Signature hotels: Alila Ventana Big Sur (Highway 1)
Airport and getting there
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is the closest, about an hour and a half by car from McWay Falls. San Jose (SJC) is about three hours away and San Francisco (SFO) about three and a half. From Los Angeles, check whether the southern part of Highway 1 is open, as closures can force a long inland detour via Monterey. Public transport barely reaches Big Sur, so a car is the practical way to explore.