Most vivid after winter and spring rains, the streaks of fushia, rose and violet occur as a result of manganese and garnet washing down from the cliffs above.Ĭampers from Plaskett Creek Campground across Highway 1 use this beach as well, with sunset-watching a popular pastime for those overnighting there. One of the coolest things about Pfeiffer Beach, known only to rock hounds and the particularly observant, is the purple sand that collects along the edge of the bluff. Other rock formations offshore also feature blowholes and showcase surf spouts. That doesn’t stop visitors from making their way down the narrow and pothole-plagued road, drawn by the promise of seeing Keyhole Rock, a natural sandstone arch just offshore that perfectly frames the waves washing through. Managed through an unusual partnership between the Los Padres National Forest and the California Coastal Conservancy, Pfeiffer Beach has limited facilities and isn’t easy to find - in fact, there’s no sign marking the turnoff from Highway One. The rock formations at Pfeiffer beach add to the dramatic scenery © haveseen / Getty Images Pfeiffer Beach

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