Sunset Hike to Molera Beach in Big Sur
Spring is fast approaching and that means longer beach days, so this week I want to share one of my favorite central California Big Sur beaches with you, especially perfect for low tide. Join me for a sunset hike along the Creamery Meadow Trail out to the beach inside Andrew Molera State Park.
Big Sur sunset at Molera Beach in Andrew Molera State Park
Location & History
Andrew Molera State Park is located approximately 20 miles south of Carmel along California's scenic Highway 1. The park entrance is easily accessible from the highway with ample parking available for visitors from 8am to sunset daily. From the parking area, it’s about an 1/8 of a mile stroll along a dirt road over to the trailhead, which can be found near the Molera Ranch House Museum.
This state park boasts a fascinating history that dates back well over a century. Named after pioneering rancher Andrew Molera who once owned the land as a cattle ranch, the land was eventually sold to the Nature Conservancy in the 1960s before becoming a state park in 1988. Today, remnants of the park's ranching past can still be seen, including historic buildings and agricultural artifacts that provide a glimpse into its storied past.
Creamery Meadow Trailhead in Andrew Molera State Park
Crossing Big Sur River with no footbridge
Creamery Meadow Trail
Andrew Molera State Park’s coastline is always a highlight for visitors, offering miles of pristine sandy beaches and dramatic sea cliffs to explore. Molera Beach is the park's main beach, where visitors can relax, swim, and enjoy picnics with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The Creamery Meadow Trail leads directly to the beach. This hike is about 2 miles round trip and it leads from the main state park gravel parking area out towards the coastline.
Crossing the Big Sur River along Creamery Meadow Trail
As you set out from the Creamery Meadow Trailhead near the Molera Ranch House Museum, you’ll find a gated fire road and the Big Sur River flowing directly in front of you. To access the Pacific Ocean you must cross the river. The State Park System places a seasonal footbridge each year from mid-June through October, but if you embark on this journey during the Winter and Spring months, be prepared to get a bit wet from wading across the Big Sur River, which becomes a fun (and cold) part of this hike. The river flow can vary, but often you can expect to wade across water that is between shin and thigh deep during the Winter & Spring months. I like to come prepared with water shoes, which allow me to cross with traction and continue my journey with dry footwear. The wet rocks can be slick and unstable, so you might want to consider bringing hiking poles or having a sturdy walking stick for this section of the trail. It is important to note that after heavy rains this trail can close to visitors because the river can flow so high and fast that crossing becomes unsafe...so always check the official Andrew Molera State Park website before your visit for the most up-to-date park information.
Hiking Creamery Meadow Trail in Andrew Molera State Park
Once you’ve crossed the river, the rest of the trail out to the coast is quite mild with minimal elevation change, and it provides a great opportunity to keep an eye out for wildlife, including bobcats, deer, gray foxes, coyotes, and all kinds of birds, such as the majestic California condor soaring through the skies above. At 3/4 of a mile into this hike, you reach a trail junction...stay to the right (lower path) to continue on the the beach. The left (upper path) lead you along a different (but also beautiful hike), the Ridge Trail. Past the trail junction it’s just a 1/4 mile to the beach. The dirt path soon gives way to driftwood and sand at your feet as you near the coastline.
Sunset at Molera Beach during low tide in Big Sur
Big Sur River spills into Pacific Ocean at Molera Beach
Molera Beach
Molera Beach stretches over two and a half miles long dotted with driftwood and beautiful boulders and rocks. To north you have expansive views of Molera Point and a sandy cove where you can watch the Big Sur River flow as it spills into the Pacific Ocean. It’s extremely important to be aware of tides here. Much of this beach can disappear during high tides, which could cause you to be dangerously stranded in some areas if you’re not careful...so always check the tide charts prior to your visit.
This beach is one of my favorite Big Sur beaches to visit during very low tide, and when the seasonal footbridge isn’t up I find it to often be very quiet and secluded here. I suspect it’s because crossing the icy cold Big Sur River to reach the beach doesn’t appeal to everyone...however it’s often my favorite part of this journey.
Purple sand at Molera Beach in Big Sur
Molera Beach is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic or stroll along the sandy shore, but for the more adventurous, surfing, kayaking, and wildlife watching, with opportunities to see sea lions, dolphins, and migrating whales are also popular activities here. Also keep an eye out for purple sand! Similar to the popular Pfeiffer Beach located a few miles south, Manganese garnet is deposited into the quartz-rich sand here as the nearby bluffs erode, creating beautiful patterns of deep purple across the landscape.
Rocky tide pools during low tide at Molera Beach in Big Sur
Additional Hiking & Nearby Attractions
Additional hiking inside the state park include the Bluffs, Ridge, and Panorama Trails, which can be combined with the Creamery Meadow Trail for a total of 8 miles of stunning state park scenery. Post Summit, Bobcat Trail, and Manuel Peak are also wonderful park hikes. Nearby attractions include Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, 17 Mile Drive, McWay Falls and the scenic Bixby Creek Bridge, making this spot an ideal stop for a day trip or as part of a weekend getaway along the Central Coast.
Molera Point silhouetted during sunset
Know Before You Go
• Before your trip, please learn about The Big Sur Pledge and how we can all protect and respect Big Sur’s natural resources on your visit.
• Please follow all Leave No Trace Principles and recreate responsibly here to keep theses treasures of nature wild and wonderful for generations to come. All park features are protected by law and may not be disturbed.
• Stay on trails to protect the local plants and animals, as well as to safely avoid poison oak, which grows abundantly throughout the park.
• Much of Molera Beach disappears during high tides, so always check the tide charts prior to your visit.
• Always visit the official Andrew Molera State Park website before your visit for the most up-to-date information, including trail closures and Big Sur River seasonal footbridge info.
• Big Sur has very limited cell service. Do not expect to have reception inside this park, so make sure to come prepared with knowledgeable navigation for your hiking adventure.
• Except for service animals, pets are not allowed on any of the trails.
• The park is open to day use visitors from 8am to sunset with a $10 park fee. If you’re staying at the Big Sur Lodge, park entrance fees are waived for Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
Top 10 Things to Do in Big Sur
Pfeiffer Beach
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Andrew Molera State Park
Molera Point in Big Sur
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Andrew Molera State Park. For a virtual visit of the Creamery Meadow Trail to Molera Beach, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Sunset at Molera Beach during low tide
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Beach access is hard to find in Big Sur, but today we're taking the Creamery Meadow Trail in Andrew Molera State Park to a secluded beach for a king tide. Molera Beach is one of the best beaches in Big Sur, especially during sunset and low tide in the off season when the it's not busy. This California state park is found south of Monterey near the Big Sur Lodge, Nepenthe, and Pfeiffer Beach.