Andrew Molera State Park Entrance 🌊🌲

The park features a designated dirt parking lot for day-use visitors. There is a $10 per car, per day entrance fee. RVs and travel trailers are generally not permitted in the main parking lot due to limited space, though parking in pullouts along Highway 1 is allowed.

Dogs are permitted on the Creamery Meadow Trail and the Beach Trail, provided they are on a leash. However, dogs are not allowed in the Trail Camp or on other trails within the park.

The park offers a primitive walk-in Trail Camp with 22 standard tent sites and two hike-and-bike campsites. These are located about a quarter to a third of a mile from the parking area. Each campsite includes a fire pit, picnic table, and food storage container. Flush toilets and potable water are available at the Trail Camp. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made up to six months in advance.

Yes, the park offers several family-friendly trails. The Creamery Meadow Trail and the Beach Trail are generally considered easy and suitable for families. These trails lead to Molera Beach and offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and exploring the diverse landscape.

Key points of interest include Molera Beach, known for its surfing and driftwood, and the Big Sur River. The Molera Ranch House Museum and the historic Cooper Cabin offer a glimpse into the region's past. For wildlife enthusiasts, the Ventana Wildlife Society's California Condor Discovery Center is a must-visit, and the park is also known for migrating monarch butterflies in its eucalyptus groves.

Seasonal footbridges are typically installed around June 15th each year, allowing pedestrians to easily cross the Big Sur River to access the beach and Creamery Meadow Trail. During other times of the year, visitors may need to wade across the river, depending on water levels.

While the park offers diverse terrain, specific information on designated wheelchair-accessible trails is limited. The main parking lot is dirt, and many trails involve uneven surfaces, inclines, or river crossings. Visitors with mobility concerns should contact the park directly for the most current accessibility information.

The park is a haven for wildlife. Visitors often spot reintroduced California condors soaring overhead, sea otters, harbor seals, and sea lions along the coast. Inland, you might encounter deer, foxes, bobcats, and various bird species. During migration season, monarch butterflies gather in the eucalyptus groves.

Andrew Molera State Park is located in a relatively undeveloped area of Big Sur. While there are no cafes or pubs directly within the park, and only primitive walk-in camping is available, visitors can find various accommodation, dining, and other services in nearby communities such as Big Sur Village to the south or Carmel-by-the-Sea to the north, both accessible via Highway 1.

The park is named after Andrew Molera, who, along with his sister Frances, inherited the property from their mother in 1918. Andrew Molera was known for popularizing the artichoke in California. In 1965, Frances Molera sold the property to The Nature Conservancy with the stipulation that the park created from the land be named in her brother's honor. The park officially opened in 1972.