Andrew Molera State Park

About Andrew Molera State Park

In the spectacular area of Big Sur, the park is still relatively undeveloped and offers visitors a wide range of spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Kilometres of trails that wind through meadows, beaches and mountain peaks.

Camping is allowed, but registration will continue to be based on the "first come, first served" principle. About 1.5 km from the car park there is a small campsite with picnic table, picnic area and picnic tables and chairs.

Due to changes, group camping and trail camp are no longer possible, please contact the park for further information. Maximum availability of individual pitches is allowed and the required load capacity is still achieved.

The park, which has a variety of ecosystems, is crossed by over 20 kilometres of hiking trails. At the mouth of Big Sur there is a mountain meadow, a shallow lagoon and a beautiful sandy beach near the estuaries. You can hike to a rock face overlooking a 3 km long beach, and there are mountains, meadows and estuaries.

In 1855, he bought the land that was formerly part of Molera Ranch, a small ranch on the west side of Big Sur. Grandson Andrew Molero, who inherited the ranch, has a successful dairy business, and the Monterey Jack cheese is especially prized.

This is an old dirt road that allows lateral walking and is therefore attractive and sociable for hikers. It's a good stage - a carrying tour, and here we return to the Creamery Meadow Trail, where we return to Molera Ranch.

The coastal views from this path are magnificent, and along the way you can hear a number of foreign languages. A long tour of the park can be done in a few hours, with a short stop at Molera Ranch for lunch or dinner.

The walk from the national park to the campsite is very popular with European visitors. Andrew Molera State Park is located on the Big Sur River, which is crossed between the parking lot and the seasonal pedestrian bridge. In times of high water, you have to make the journey outside and back, and possibly wet your feet much more than crossing the river.

Keep to the right of the beach path and walk along a wide path that soon splits into two paths, one on the beach and one on the riverbank.

You cross the camping park and the path runs along the banks of the river, whose banks are dotted with trees, rocks and a small stream, as well as some small streams and ponds.

At the mouth of the river there is a small beach and a shallow lagoon, frequented by fishermen, boaters and other visitors, as well as some birds. The beach to the south is accessible at low tide, and a short path from the headland leads to another beach at Molera Point, where whales and passing ships can be seen from January to April. A side road leads to Cooper's Beach, a redwood building dating back to 1861, which is the oldest building on the Big Sur coast.

Returning to Molera Point Beach, a short walk from Cooper's Beach, you will find a small beach and a shallow lagoon at the mouth of the river, which is also accessible at low tide.