I was raised on this beautiful majestic Central California Coast and have long had a love affaire with the waterfalls on the Big Sur Pacific California Coast; let me be your Big Sur Waterfall guide.

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Limekiln Creek Falls in the wonderful Limekiln State Park

Limekiln Creek Falls; natural, beautiful Big Sur California Coastal Waterfall in Limekiln State Park

• Waterfall Name: Limekiln Falls
• Waterfall Location: Pacific Coast Highway 1, Limekiln Creek State Park, 51 miles south of Carmel, 39 miles north of Hearst Castle San Simeon California
  LINK: Custom Google Map, Big Sur Waterfalls, find this and all famous natural Big Sur Waterfalls.
• Contact for Waterfall Information: 831-667-2403; Limekiln Creek State Park:
• Waterfall Height: 100 feet
• Waterfall Access: Short trail hike, some rock hopping, no dogs
• Season Best Viewing: December / May
• Waterfall Trail Distance: 1 mile (RT)
• Waterfall Trail Difficulty: Medium
• Falls Elevation: 100 feet
• Falls Lat/Long: +36° 0' 50.15", -121° 30' 54.58"
• Directions and Parking: The trailhead is in Limekiln Creek State Park; take the trail and cross the second bridge along the trail then look for a spur trail to the right, cross Limekiln Creek and then work your way up the rocky creek bed to the waterfall, crossing the creek several times. The trail is easy to follow, and there are rocks and often boards to allow easy creek crossings.
• Waterfall Summary, more information, comments:
  Limekiln Falls: Located in Limekiln State Park that is on the Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway 1 about 2 miles south of Lucia. Limekiln Falls is truly beautiful and can be spectacular when the Limekiln Creek is running good, Limekiln Creek Falls height is 100 feet. The short trail is easy to follow to but involves some rock hopping, go to where the creek crosses then just work your way up the creek bed to the falls. If you like to camp the campground is nice many sites right next to Limekiln Creek and a couple with ocean views.

Play it Safe in the creek bed and around the waterfalls:

Use good common since and consider your physical condition and capabilities. Creeks and waterfalls are dangerous places; it is easy to fall even if you are sober, don't drink. Visiting waterfalls often involves crossing creeks and rock hopping; wet and mossy rocks can cause bone breaking slips. Fast currents can be troublesome and drowning can happen even in shallow still water. Stay away from the cliffs unless you are an experienced climber. Looking down from the top of the falls is usually not really an impressive vantage point anyway. Having a friend along on a waterfall trek once saved my life, TAKE ALONG A FRIEND, it's more fun anyway and you can get in some pictures.

Clothing and Equipment:

It is easy to fall and get wet when visiting a waterfall, I usually do. Wear good boots or shoes and tough old clothing and bring an extra change and towels if you want to be dry. Layering is the best way to dress anytime you adventure outdoors on the Big Sur California Pacific Coast. Bring a map or at least get good directions. Bring food and water; you don't want to drink the creek water and picnics are fun. Bring your camera, accessories and a friend to take a waterfall picture with you in it.

Waterfall Photography Tips and Tricks;
Digital Camera or Single Reflex Camera and Film?:

You can get the best pictures using a SLR camera and film but digital cameras are getting better every day and many have settings which are comparable or mimic film cameras settings.
Shutter Speeds:What makes waterfall and flowing creek photographs get that soft look is a slow shutter speed and with film use of film with a low ISO; this effect is more pronounced with larger flows of splashing water (don't forget to take care to keep your camera, digital or film, dry). Many digital cameras allow for a slower shutter speed which is usually desirable although it can also be cool under certain conditions to shoot with a fast shutter speed and stop the motion of the water.
Bracket Your Shots:If you are looking for the perfect shot you should bracket (over expose a little usually) your exposures so your water looks nice and white not grey, the correct exposure is especially important if you have people it the shoot too. Many digital cameras have bracket settings for shutter speed as well.
Tripods:With any camera it will be better to shoot using a tripod. Camera motion can blur the picture easier at slow shutter speeds. Use a cable, remote or timer for hands-off the camera shooting for a nice clear shot.
Overcast or Sunlight?: Light overcast days are usually considered to be the best for photographing waterfalls; you can get a softer look although you can sometimes get some cool effects like lens flares, stop-motion, rainbows and light rays filtering through the tree branches when the sun is out. Lens Filters:A polarizing filter will eliminate the reflections and glare off the water and wet surfaces and give your photo a nice rich look. Under certain circumstances a neutral density filter can allow for longer exposures enhancing that soft look.
Camera Angles:Shoot from a variety of angles. No picture is worth getting hurt for but if the terrain allows shots other than straight on can make waterfall photographs much more dynamic and interesting.