Pfeiffer Beach, one of Big Sur's most photographed stretches along California's Central Coast, also ranks among the U.S. beach areas with a higher implied risk of theft, according to a new analysis of property‑crime patterns across hundreds of ZIP codes, USA Today reports.
The study flagged the 93920 ZIP, which includes Pfeiffer Beach, for reporting elevated rates of theft, vehicle break‑ins and burglary compared with other coastal destinations. While the beach itself remains a beloved escape for Monterey County families, the surrounding area's crime profile places it ninth on the national list.
Pfeiffer Beach, known for its purple tinted sand, dramatic rock formations and tucked away feel, wasn't the only state beach to the make the Top 10; California and Hawaii led the country, combined accounting for over half of the top 20 highest-risk beach areas.
Pacific Coast Highway from Monterey to Morro Bay: This Highway 1 stretch has been called one of the country’s great romantic road trips. Dramatic cliffs, ocean vistas, and beach towns (Big Sur, Cambria, Cayucos) embody the Central Coast’s summer scenery. Learn more: Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Guide
Some beaches may be safer than others, at least when it comes to theft. To determine which U.S. beaches have the most crime, The Action Network analyzed the crime statistics of 500 popular beaches' ZIP codes from crimegrade.org, with theft weighted most heavily, followed by robbery, vehicle theft and burglary.
While this doesn't mean people should avoid the beach, it should prompt them to take safety precautions, like making sure they lock their car and always having someone watching their bags.
"When planning a summer getaway, travelers rarely think about property crime, but unattended phones, wallets, and car keys on the sand can be easy targets," said Kathy Morris, spokesperson for The Action Network. "By factoring daily tourist crowds into our analysis alongside local census data, we calculated the true individual risk for beachgoers across the country. The good news for vacationers is that over 90% of beach-area incidents are non-violent property theft, meaning a little extra situational awareness is usually all it takes to keep your belongings safe while enjoying the shore."
Here are the U.S. beaches with the highest and lowest risk of theft.
More: Bixby Bridge parking ban aims to boost safety at iconic Big Sur landmark
Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, Oregon
More: Salinas ranks among California's 10 most dangerous cities. See the list
It turns out that major resort hubs such as Maui's Kaanapali Beach were the safest. Even at high-theft beaches, more than 92% of recorded incidents were non-violent, mostly comprising unattended bags or rental car break-ins.
Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
Kathleen Wong is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY. She's the author of "The Conscious Traveller Hawai'i" and is based in Hawaii.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Sur ranks among US beaches with highest theft risk, new study finds