One of the main highlights of Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur is the famous purple sand. Erosion of the cliffs above, which contain Manganese garnet rocks, is responsible for the incredible plum-like colors you see here.
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The 1 mile (1.6 km) long beach is known for purple patches of sand that are occasionally visible, especially after rain. The purple color is caused by Manganese garnet that is eroded down from nearby hillsides.
A beach with real purple sand you ask? Yes, it is rare and you can find the purple sand beach at Pfeiffer Beach at Big Sur. Not only is the beach sand unique but the just offshore is the unique Keyhole Arch which is one of the photographed shots at Big Sur.
Bioluminescent phyto plankton around the Maldives occasionally washes up onto the shore, making the sand glow in the dark in a dazzling shade of aqua blue.