Fuller's Beach

01.05.10 - 11:15 am | Gary Hanauer |

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Rating: B

Local surfers who have been coming here for years and nude sunbathers love Big Sur's "hidden" beach. "It's kind of a secret beach, even to people here in Big Sur," says George, a state parks aide at nearby Molera. Worries Alex, an area resident who wrote to us this year: "If an inexperienced surfer finds your directions, comes down to Fullers, breaks his leg on the rocks and has to get air lifted or (take an) ambulance ride out, this will be the end of our beautiful beach access." Speaking of access, it's via a long, poison-oak lined trail. Suggests George: "Just remember to take a shower with liquid soap when you get home, and you shouldn't have a problem with the plants."

Legal status:

Beach owned by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The trail is said to be property of Charlie Crockett.

How to find it:

Finding Fullers is a little dicey. Along Highway 1, south of Big Sur and Pfeiffer Beach, look for the Nepenthe Restaurant, 29 miles south of Carmel, 2 miles south of Pfeiffer Beach and 63 miles north of San Simeon. A few miles south of the restaurant, before Highway 1 curves to the east (Grimes Canyon), check for cars pulled over on the west (ocean) side of the highway in a little pullout next to a telephone pole. A larger pullout used mostly by Caltrans workers is on the east side of the road. Follow the path from the west pullout to the beach. "It's very steep," says George. "When you go to the beach, you will be going straight down. But coming back, you will be going straight up."

The beach:

If you are a fan of rugged isolation, you'll love windswept Fullers. The beach is a haven for the few local surfers who know about it. You're more likely to find boards than sunbathers on the beach.

The crowd:

On good wave-riding days, most of the crowd will be in the water, giving you a free surf show while you're sprawled on your blanket. Usually, only a few nude sunbathers use the site.

Problems:

Not very sandy; poison oak on trail; pullout hard to find; steep path; not too many nudists present.