Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to Motels Wild

There aren't many whitewater rivers in this part of the Central Coast and Los Padres National Forest, and forever drought conditions have made what few options available even harder to paddle. The Big Sur – a federal Wild and Scenic River designated in 1992 as part of the _Los Padres Condor Range and Rivers Act_ – is one of those casualties of the 'new normal' but is completely worth the drive on the occasions you are looking for a unique and scenic Class II paddle. With put-in and take-out access in State Parks, one can also float this alongside your non-paddling friends on a Big Sur camping weekend relatively easily. It's mostly a winding section of river featuring many a tourist waving at you in jealousy, with canopy overhead and the most beautiful turquoise water beneath you. There are waterfalls! The most challening rapid is at the put-in – a straightforward Class III chute. There is one small ledge dam you can run where the road to a private campground goes across (and into!) the river. It's fun watching cars navigate this. Gradient peters out as you go and the river is reportedly very woody past Andrew Molera SP, all rest of the way to the ocean. State park rangers, especially those fresh out or still in college, may tell you that 'the river is closed' to paddlers. This clearly is not true, and you can educate them on access laws if you wish. However, they are correct in saying that access at the state parks is discerned by those state parks. It's best just to do your thing quickly at both ends. Put in: Access is inside Pfieffer Big Sur State Park (must pay for camping or day access). There may also be a way to park outside the state park and walk in, but not sure of the parking options. Walk all the way to the northeastern part of the park and take the riverside trail upstream about 0.1mi. You can only go so far before the river gorges you in (you can barely see some tall Class V rapids just upstream); pick your eddy there to put-in above or below the straightforward Class III rapid that will easily be your most challenging part of the run. Take out: There are a few options at Andrew Molera State Park. Additional information: - CACreeks - Big Sur Wild and Scenic River