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the Degree Confluence Project
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United States : California

21.2 miles (34.1 km) SW of Big Sur, Monterey, CA, USA
Approx. altitude: 0 m (0 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap topo aerial ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 36°S 58°E

Accuracy: 31.1 km (19.3 mi)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: Highway 1 has lots of hills and curves! #3: One of the many vistas along the highway #4: Park Service toll booth #5: Beach panorama #6: Topo map & track log

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  36°N 122°W (visit #1) (incomplete) 

#1: "The confluence is 31100 m in that direction!"

(visited by Terje Mathisen)

28-Apr-2004 -- Since this confluence is located nearly 20 miles offshore from Big Sur, south of Monterey, I knew that it would require a big boat to get to. I still decided that it would be nice to drive down the coast and check out the closest point on land.

Highway 1 south from Monterey is deservedly famous, with lots of nice vistas all along the coast. Near Big Sur the road makes a shortcut inland, and the point nearest the confluence is located on the peninsula, inside the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

I located the Sycamore Canyon Rd, which leads down to Pfeiffer beach, and followed it past the Ranger station (where I put my $5 bill inside an envelope and deposited it), and parked at the end of the road.

Walking down to the beach I got a very agreeable surprise: It was beautiful! There are two huge central rocks that splits it into multiple parts: Sandy beaches with waves rolling in on both sides, plus a small channel between them. The rock on the left has even got a couple of tunnels, places where the wave action has drilled holes all the way through it.

So, even though it was an incomplete visit, it was still one of my most enjoyable confluence trips. :-)


 All pictures
#1: "The confluence is 31100 m in that direction!"
#2: Highway 1 has lots of hills and curves!
#3: One of the many vistas along the highway
#4: Park Service toll booth
#5: Beach panorama
#6: Topo map & track log
ALL: All pictures on one page
  Notes
In the Pacific Ocean, but with a view of land.