After which there’s mauve.
Here we’re in January — when you’re not reading this while lying on a white, sandy beach, likelihood is you’re dreaming about getting yourself to 1 as fast as possible.
But how about something completely different, for the proper winter getaway — a purple beach, perhaps?
There’s just one, nevertheless it’s easy for Americans to go to — called Pfeiffer Beach, the geological oddity is tucked along California’s scenery wealthy Big Sur coastline.
With winding roads, dramatic waterfalls and clifftop views of the Pacific at every turn, Big Sur is itself a one-of-kind place, one every travel lover should experience — that’s, when you can catch it between landslide-causing storms, which may close California Highway 1, the region’s one major thoroughfare, for months, even years.
The bizarrely coloured strip of sand sucks in visitors from throughout, due to its unique look — the source of which scientists haven’t been able to verify with 100% certainty.
One popular theory — the colour comes from particles of the manganese garnet stones lodged within the steep hills and mountains that shoot nearly straight up from the picturesque shoreline.
Just how purple you’ll find the sand can depend upon once you visit, but those that navigate the winding entrance road — that, plus the short walk from the parking area — won’t be upset with the environment and the views, regardless of once you’re there.
Pfeiffer Beach has rather a lot more going for it than what’s squishing between your toes — the waves draw surfers from throughout, while adventurers use the beach as a way station while exploring the vast expanse of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Come sunset, look out for the hordes of shutterbugs and selfie-takers seeking to capture the sunshine pouring through Keyhole Rock, standing between you and the disappearing sun.
This unforgettable spot is positioned about 2.5 hours’ drive south of San Francisco and nearly 6 hours from Los Angeles. The drive from Southern California would normally be shorter, nevertheless landslides near the village of Lucia have closed Highway 1 to northbound traffic into the world where Pfeiffer Beach is positioned, no less than until spring.
While no other purple beaches are known to exist all over the world, there are many other unique coastlines to explore, from the famous, celeb-studded pink sand of Bermuda to orange sands in Malta and green sands in Hawaii.