McWay Falls
McWay Falls is one of the most iconic waterfall shots on the California coast, a year-round cascade that drops roughly 80 feet directly onto a turquoise-tinged cove with no road or crowds below, just sand, sea arch remnants, and open Pacific. The main overlook along the McWay Waterfall Trail gives you a classic wide composition framing the falls against the cove and ocean beyond; a wide-angle lens in the 16-35mm range works well here. Walk the trail in both directions since different viewpoints shift the relationship between the falls and the beach below. Golden hour light in the late afternoon catches the cliff face and water beautifully, and overcast days soften harsh shadows in the cove. The trail is short and paved, making it very accessible from the parking area just off Highway 1. Note that descending to the beach is not permitted, so all shooting is done from above. (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California, United States)
