Andrew Molera State Park

Located along the Big Sur coast, Andrew Molera State Park is one of the largest state parks on the Big Sur coastline, situated in Monterey County. The state park boasts a three-mile-long narrow beach with light brown sand, sparse vegetation, and an array of pebbles and driftwood. It’s advisable to wear appropriate footwear. The Big Sur River meets the ocean near the beach, forming an estuary adjacent to it. The southern part of the beach lies below steep bluffs, offering a dramatic backdrop to this natural haven.

The beach at Andrew Molera State Park does not have lifeguards or any other amenities besides walking trails, so we recommend planning your trip accordingly.

Andrew Molera State Park features several trails that lead to the beach, including the Beach Trail, the Creamery Meadows Trail, and the Headlands Trail. Hiking to the beach requires crossing the Big Sur River, so appropriate footwear is recommended. Footbridges are available from June through October. Be cautious of poison oak plants, which are prevalent in the area.

The park offers a range of activities: swimming, picnicking, surfing, skimboarding, wildlife watching, sunbathing, fishing, beachcombing, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, boating, and bodysurfing. Be mindful of rip currents if you plan to enter the water. The beach is popular with surfers due to its excellent and consistent waves. The waters are home to a variety of animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating gray whales (between December and April). Fishing is particularly good during winters when the steelhead fish population is high. Although some visitors mistake the beach for clothing-optional, such behavior is considered public indecency and is punishable by local authorities.

Andrew Molera State Park does not offer disability access.

To reach the beach, visitors must hike from the paid parking lot near the intersection of Andrew Molera Road and Cabrillo Highway/California State Highway 1.

Andrew Molera State Park is named after Andrew Molera, a prominent landowner credited with introducing artichoke cultivation to California. This historical tidbit adds an interesting layer to the park's rich cultural and natural heritage.

Andrew Molera State Park offers 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, including the Bluff Trail and Molera Trail, which provide panoramic views of the Big Sur coast. These trails highlight the park’s diverse landscapes, such as forests of redwood and sycamore trees, open meadows, the banks of the Big Sur River, and a 40-foot high waterfall known as the Highbridge Falls. The trail camp within the park offers an immersive overnight experience for backpackers.

The park’s Molera Ranch House Museum features interesting exhibits and artifacts, offering insight into the rich history of the Big Sur region. Seasonal opening hours are available on the California Department of Parks and Recreation website. For those interested in wildlife, the Ventana Wildlife Society Big Sur Discovery Center provides informative exhibits about the vibrant biodiversity of the area, including the endangered California condor. The discovery center also has a souvenir shop and organizes nature tours.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Andrew Molera State Park within a 20-minute drive. Sierra Mar is an upscale restaurant that offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves excellent gourmet dishes. Additionally, the restaurant was awarded Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award in 2020 and has been praised in a variety of publications including the MICHELIN Guide. Nepenthe is a renowned restaurant that offers a dining area with a pleasant view of the Big Sur coastline and serves delicious California cuisine with Mediterranean influences. In addition, the restaurant has hosted a number of famous actors, writers, and artists including Ernest Hemmingway, Clint Eastwood, and Man Ray. If you are looking for a good and affordable restaurant near Andrew Molera State Park, the modestly priced Big Sur Deli offers excellent sandwiches served in generous portions.

If you are looking for a hotel near Andrew Molera State Park, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Post Ranch Inn is 20 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a restaurant, a fitness center, a swimming pool, a spa with two infinity pools, complimentary breakfast, a car loaner facility, and complimentary classes for stargazing, yoga, and meditation. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Big Sur River Inn which offers many amenities including a restaurant, riverside deck with chairs, a general store, and a fireplace in the lobby. If you’re looking for a moderately-priced hotel near Andrew Molera State Park, the 3-Star Ripplewood Resort offers many amenities including a restaurant and a convenience store. If you’re looking for a camping spot near the beach, the Andrew Molera State Park Campground accommodates only tents and is a primitive campground that offers no amenities except a fire ring, a picnic table, and some restrooms, and arrangements for running water (the campground has no showers).