Andrew Molera State Park
Andrew Molera State Park
4
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This large park has a diverse range of trails that run along the Big Sur River or out to the coast.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
214 reviews
Excellent
104
Very good
72
Average
25
Poor
8
Terrible
5
Stellan D
Bromma, Sweden561 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Nice small park along Hwy 1 south of Carmel. If you want to go to the beach there is a meadow trail which near the parking area crosses the creek. Normally there is a bridge here but at this time of the year it has been removed for the season and you need to wade in knee deep water to cross. If you take the camping trail (disregard the closed sign as it is for the camping facility only) you walk along the creek and probably encounter deers and other wildlife. On the right hand side there is an old 3 room cabin from the 18-hundreds. There you can read on the information board to the left of the very interesting life of Monarch butterflies who migrate quite long distances including several generations. In this place there is a eucalyptus grove where they stay for the winter. earlier there where many thousands of them here but nowadays there are much fewer. They have a habit to feeding on poisonous things to avoid beeing eaten by e.g. birds. Along this trail you end up at a wide part of the creek but do not reach the beach.
If you prefer to hike up the hills on the other side of the highway there is a hill tril as well.
If you prefer to hike up the hills on the other side of the highway there is a hill tril as well.
Written November 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah B
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
While we're longtime locals, this was actually our first time camping here. The parking is about 0.25 miles from the beginning of the camp sites, and while it doesn't seem like much, either pack light or expect a workout. A LOT of campers had wagons like us, which actually worked out great. The hike to the campsite was a little bit of an incline and there were two sets of stairs plus sand pits that made the trip a little hard, but overall doable. One thing that really stood out was that the camp map, does not actually reflect the most current locations of the sites and/or shade availability, but we made do and still had a great time! The campsite had a food storage box, picnic tables, water availability, and clean bathrooms. The walk down to the beach took us about 30 minutes one way, but the beach was very windy and not incredibly enjoyable; honestly, hanging out by the river was the best!
Written August 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris C
New Haven, CT71 contributions
Oct 2020
We did a great 8.5 miles hike going out along the rim trail and back along the bluff trail. Amazing views both ways, truly a gem. Definitely worth the $10 parking fee to hopefully help keep the area pristine. Good signage on the trails. Nice restroom facilities in the parking lot. There was a nice secluded beach halfway along the bluff trail that I would recommend.
Written October 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JDZatSF
San Francisco, CA1,899 contributions
Mar 2022
We parked here and got going along beautiful trails with gentle breezes and sea air, plants and trees, and magnifience all around. Amongst so much beauty in the area, this place stood out as especially beautiful. I loved it!
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DAD11
Toronto, Canada242 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
When in Big Sur, you must do a few hikes. This is one of my two favourites. There is a paid parking lot, cash only. $10. Flat 15 minute walk to a beach. Also a 8 mile loop. Fun to enjoy both.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N4246LIlauram
Peoria, AZ13 contributions
Apr 2022
This is not my favorite spot. This area is usually not very crowded though, so if you want some peace from the crowds, you might want to check it out. It is a long walk from the parking area to the beach. It's a nice walk though the woods but long. The beach is very rocky and a bit unremarkable. There are better beaches in the Sur. This is my least favorite.
Written April 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Global5190
alameda, ca1 contribution
How can you not be in awe of the beauty of the California coastline?
Big Sur is amazing, and camping here lets you soak up all of it. The campground isn't overrun with cars or RVs, just people who want to actually CAMP. You have a little bit of a hike into the sites, so try to keep the gear light. The camp area is nice and flat and open and just a short walk from the ocean, which you can hear from the campsites. The hiking I did here was relatively easy and especially scenic. Horseback riding is seasonal though, in case you had your heart set on it. We watched a breathtaking sunset from a cliff overlooking the ocean the second night we stayed here. Peaceful and quiet camping in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
The ONLY complaint I could have about camping here was that there were no showers, which was something I actually wouldn't have minded if I had just known ahead of time rather than being surprised after arriving.
Big Sur is amazing, and camping here lets you soak up all of it. The campground isn't overrun with cars or RVs, just people who want to actually CAMP. You have a little bit of a hike into the sites, so try to keep the gear light. The camp area is nice and flat and open and just a short walk from the ocean, which you can hear from the campsites. The hiking I did here was relatively easy and especially scenic. Horseback riding is seasonal though, in case you had your heart set on it. We watched a breathtaking sunset from a cliff overlooking the ocean the second night we stayed here. Peaceful and quiet camping in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
The ONLY complaint I could have about camping here was that there were no showers, which was something I actually wouldn't have minded if I had just known ahead of time rather than being surprised after arriving.
Written February 2, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PrincessRichmond
Los Angeles, CA45 contributions
Andrew Molera is the only camp ground in Big Sur with a first come, first serve policy which will allow for last minute camping plans. I camped there on Memorial Day weekend, so here's some tips on what to expect and how to ensure you get a campground.
The early bird DOES get the worm! Since it was Memorial Day weekend we arrived on Thursday evening about 9pm and there were only 5 (of 24) campgrounds remaining. So arrive the day before most of the crowds arrive to ensure a spot. There is a self service check board to mark your campground and a deposit safe to place your camping fees. I had read all over the internet that the fees were only $10 per night, but the fees were really $25 per night. Since it's self service you can plan to arrive whenever.
The rangers do check out the campers in the day against the fees deposited, but also do a night check of the cars parked against the fees deposited, and you must have a deposit ticket on your dash board to avoid getting kicked out.
While the grounds state that each site is limited to 4 campers per site, there were a few with as many as 12 campers so this didn't seem like a very well enforced rule.
This is a hike in camp site so be prepared to pack your stuff in! We used two back packs and a two wheeled cart. The trail is rugged in a few spots and is long enough that you don't want to go back to the car for several trips so prepare to hike your stuff in on one trip. And the trail is pitch black at night, so if you plan to hike in the middle of the night, which is perfectly fine granted there are camp sites available, make sure you have a good flash light or two.
The camp ground itself is a nice, well mowed meadow with flat non-rocky surfaces. It does seem to get very moist at night as if it had rained on your tent. It also gets pretty cold, even when it's in the 70's during the day, so make sure you bring a tent that locks in warmth and can withstand rain type conditions.
There are tons of racoons and squirrels around too, so make sure you use the lock boxes provded for ALL your food. Any food left in the tent, like cookies or trail mix, will have those things tearing your tent open to get to the food. Same with anything left in packs or boxes outside of the tent - they WILL get to it!
One big plus, your fee for Molera will allow access to ALL the parks in the area during your stay.
We had a great time and would easily go again!!
The early bird DOES get the worm! Since it was Memorial Day weekend we arrived on Thursday evening about 9pm and there were only 5 (of 24) campgrounds remaining. So arrive the day before most of the crowds arrive to ensure a spot. There is a self service check board to mark your campground and a deposit safe to place your camping fees. I had read all over the internet that the fees were only $10 per night, but the fees were really $25 per night. Since it's self service you can plan to arrive whenever.
The rangers do check out the campers in the day against the fees deposited, but also do a night check of the cars parked against the fees deposited, and you must have a deposit ticket on your dash board to avoid getting kicked out.
While the grounds state that each site is limited to 4 campers per site, there were a few with as many as 12 campers so this didn't seem like a very well enforced rule.
This is a hike in camp site so be prepared to pack your stuff in! We used two back packs and a two wheeled cart. The trail is rugged in a few spots and is long enough that you don't want to go back to the car for several trips so prepare to hike your stuff in on one trip. And the trail is pitch black at night, so if you plan to hike in the middle of the night, which is perfectly fine granted there are camp sites available, make sure you have a good flash light or two.
The camp ground itself is a nice, well mowed meadow with flat non-rocky surfaces. It does seem to get very moist at night as if it had rained on your tent. It also gets pretty cold, even when it's in the 70's during the day, so make sure you bring a tent that locks in warmth and can withstand rain type conditions.
There are tons of racoons and squirrels around too, so make sure you use the lock boxes provded for ALL your food. Any food left in the tent, like cookies or trail mix, will have those things tearing your tent open to get to the food. Same with anything left in packs or boxes outside of the tent - they WILL get to it!
One big plus, your fee for Molera will allow access to ALL the parks in the area during your stay.
We had a great time and would easily go again!!
Written June 1, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Go35993
Arlington, VA1 contribution
The park itself is pleasant, but be aware that the level of animal activity is high at night if you decide to camp there.
Written September 24, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MASBuk
Chelmsford, UK77 contributions
Apr 2016
First, the good. The wildlife in the meadows leading to the beach is extraordinary. We saw mule deer and....a bobcat! Up close. The beach is stunning, with piles of driftwood, huge rocks and stacks, and lovely sand and surf. Now the not so good. In spring you have to wade across the Big Sur river to get from the car park to the park. It's cold, fast flowing, and close to 3 foot deep. Be warned - nobody tells you. Next is the wind on the beach. It wasn't windy anywhere else on Big Sur, but here it was like Tatooine in a hurricane. Unbearable for more than a few minutes.
Written April 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I Iactually worked on it being established back around 1977.
It was a proud achievement.
We all got drunk when it was done
Joel Tamraz
Written October 16, 2018
Hello! About how long did you spend during your day at this park? Trying to plan a trip for next summer.
Written August 29, 2018
We were staying in Monterey for 3 days (before heading to Yosemite for another 3 days and then SF for 4 days). We devoted one full day to explore the Big Sur. We stopped at this park for about one hour or so.
Written August 29, 2018
I got a parking ticket here while on vacation. I have lost my ticket and dont know how to pay it. Help!
Written January 20, 2018
Same thing happens to almost everyone there. I doesn’t look like the ranger station is active. Everyone got a ticket when I was there.
Written April 24, 2022
What has happened to the headlands trail at Andrew Molera? Why is it closed? I stumbled on it accessing it during a very low water time for the river and was able to cross but it quickly became evident that the trail is no longer being maintained ( saw the signs as I was leaving AFTER having attempted to hike there)
Written December 30, 2017
We were there in October 2017, parked near hgwy 1. We were able to make the walk to the shore. The walk is MORE than what is advertised (one mile- was further than the mile). It was NOT closed in October. My feedback, there are other places to see as a first choice over this beach in the Big Sur area. Sorry.
Written December 30, 2017
WingsWarrior
Vail, Arizona
Hi...JB of MonarchQuestAZ(WingsWarrior)....posted a flyer informing and encouraging people who might be able to enjoy spotting AZ-tagged monarchs. Not technically a review, but a valuable contribution that may enrich people's experience at the park. Everything i do is strictly out-of-pocket--not a commercial enterprise! So...how do I contact AMSP? (your phone doesn't work). Would really appreciate Park staff contacting me: (520)861-0646(preferred) Thank you!.........Cheers, JB
Written January 3, 2015
0
Votes
Not sure what phone number you tried but how about this one...
Contact Information
(831) 667-2315
Written January 3, 2015
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