Andrew Molera State Park

UPDATE (Sept 17, 2020) - Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. Andrew Molera State Park has reopened for active recreation. Some walking trails are open, and parking is available to vehicles on a limited basis. Social distancing protocols of maintaining a 6-ft distance and wearing masks is required. As a reminder, Californians are encouraged to avoid road trips and stay close to home, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when a physical distance of six feet from others who are not from the immediate household members cannot be maintained, and avoid congregating. Everyone has the responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
Park phone contact: (831) 667-1112

Here are some guidelines for people visiting Andrew Molera State Park:

What is open now?
  • Some walking trails are open, and parking is available to vehicles on a limited basis.
  • Visitor services are limited to self-guided walks.

What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:
  • The Andrew Molera Campground remains closed for rehabilitation.
  • The Andrew Molera Ranch House Museum is currently closed for exhibit cleaning and updates.
  • Dogs are not allowed on trails or on the beach.

Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
  • Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park to allow for the required physical distance.
  • Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash. Restrooms will be temporarily closed in order to keep up with cleaning schedules.
  • Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.

Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. Even though the department has increased access across the State Park System, the need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical.

For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.

Phone Number

(831) 667-1112

Park Hours

           8 a.m. to Sunset

Dogs Allowed?

No
Dogs not allowed beyond day-use parking lot.

Driving Directions to Andrew Molera SP

The park is 20 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.


View on Map

Online reservations are not available for this park.

Upcoming Park Events

No events scheduled at this moment.

BOATING
Boating
TRAIL USE
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Vista Point
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Museums
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available

DOLAN FIRE - WHAT'S OPEN UPDATE

California State Parks has reopened Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Andrew Molera State Park, and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for active recreation. Some walking trails are open, and parking is available to vehicles on a limited basis. Social distancing protocols of maintaining a 6-ft distance and wearing masks are required.  Point Sur State Historic Park will resume tours of the exterior of the Pt Sur Lightstation and the Naval Facility on October 10. Visit www.pointsur.org or call 831-625-4419 for tour information.
Note: The Andrew Molera campground remains closed.

Also opened is the Soberanes Canyon Trail in Garrapata State Park –located on the east side of Highway 1.  California State Parks continues to work to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved.

Due to the Dolan Fire burning across the southern region of Monterey County, California State Parks urges the public to avoid traveling to impacted areas/park units in Monterey County due to safety and health concerns for any visitors. 

  • Current Park Closures
    The following State Parks, including all campgrounds, day use areas, and hiking trails, are already closed due to fire and/or traffic concerns on Highway 1 in the greater vicinity of the Dolan Fire: 

    • Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
    • John Little State Natural Reserve
    • Limekiln State Park

    California State Parks is asking for the public’s cooperation by adhering to park closures due to fire impacts and public safety concerns. Your assistance is appreciated!

    For additional information about the Dolan Fire, please see the below resources:

    Dolan Fire 
    California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 
    Incident E-mail:2020.Dolan@firenet.gov 
    Incident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018

     

About Andrew Molera State Park

TRESPASS ALERT

During your visit to Andrew Molera State Park, you may encounter fenced and posted boundaries for the El Sur Ranch. We ask your cooperation in refraining from climbing or cutting these fences. The El Sur Ranch is a working cattle grazing operation. These grazing areas are not safe for hiking. These private lands should not be utilized for beach access. Stay on park trails and obey all signs.

California Penal Code Sec. 602,602.8

In the spectacular Big Sur area, this park is still relatively undeveloped and offers visitors great hiking and beachcombing. Miles of trails wind through meadows, bluffs, beaches and hilltops.

Weather
 CURRENT WEATHER
 CURRENT TIDES
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised. In winter, overnight temperatures can range in the 30s-50s (Fahrenheit). Winter daytime temperatures can be low 50s-mid 70s. In summer, overnight temperatures can range in the 50s-70s, with daytime temperatures typically in the 70s-80s.  Summer mornings bring fog, which usually burns off by midday.

Location
Near mile marker 51.2 on Highway 1, the park is located 21 miles south of Carmel.
 GOOGLE MAP

Additional Visitor Services

Molera beach

Photograph courtesy of Sharon Pieniak