The Stunning Waterfall Donated to California with Two Amazing Conditions

McWay Falls

McWay Falls exists because a rich couple had good taste and better values.

In 1924, the Browns found their perfect spot where a creek tumbles into the sea. They could have kept it private forever, but chose to share it instead.

Here’s how their 1961 gift to California honored the Big Sur pioneers who came before them.

Finding the Perfect Spot

In 1924, a rich politician named Lathrop Brown and his wife Hélène went on a horse trip through Big Sur. They wanted to find a place far from crowds to build their dream home.

When they saw Saddle Rock Cove, where an 80-foot waterfall drops right into the ocean, they knew this was it.

Buying Land from the First Settler

The Browns bought 1,600 acres from Christopher McWay, who had claimed this land way back in 1887.

McWay was one of the first people to live here, and his old barn from 1894 is still standing today. The sale gave the Browns their own piece of California’s wild coast.

Making Friends with a Local Pioneer

After moving in, Hélène Brown became close friends with Julia Pfeiffer Burns, whose family were some of Big Sur’s first settlers. Julia had lived here almost her whole life, arriving as a baby in 1869.

She married John Burns when she was 47 and knew every inch of this rugged coast.

Starting Simple

The Browns built their first home as a basic redwood cabin right across from the waterfall. It was rough but gave them amazing views of what’s now called McWay Falls. Back then, this was one of the most remote spots in California, with no roads or power.

The Highway Arrives

Things changed when workers started building Highway 1 in 1919. The road reached the Browns’ land in the 1930s. The ranch foreman, Hans Ewoldsen, even worked with the road crews to build a water wheel that brought the first electricity to Big Sur in 1932.

Building a Dream House

In 1940, the Browns tore down their cabin and built “Waterfall House,” a fancy two-story home halfway down the cliff. They used a small train car on tracks to get from the highway down to their house. The master bedroom had perfect views of the waterfall and beach.

Losing a Friend

Julia Pfeiffer Burns died in 1928, but Hélène never forgot her. Julia stood for everything real about Big Sur’s early days. She had seen the area change from true wilderness where grizzly bears lived to a place connected to the outside world by roads.

Time to Leave

By 1956, the Browns got tired of living so far from everything and moved to Florida. Lathrop died there in 1959, leaving Hélène as the only owner of this amazing piece of coast. She had to decide what would happen to McWay Falls.

The Big Gift

In 1961, Hélène made her choice. She gave all 1,600 acres to the state of California for free. She had two conditions: it had to become a public park, and it had to be named after Julia Pfeiffer Burns, “a true pioneer.”

This gift meant McWay Falls would belong to everyone, not just rich people.

Visiting McWay Falls and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is located at 52801 California Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920. The park opens daily from 8:00 AM until sunset.

You’ll pay $10 per vehicle for day use, with a $9 discount for seniors over 62. No cash accepted, so bring a credit card. Your receipt grants same-day access to other nearby state parks except Limekiln.

The 0.5-mile McWay Waterfall Trail offers the best views.

No beach access exists due to dangerous conditions.

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