Andrew Molera State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andrew Molera State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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The beach in Andrew Molera State Park
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 Andrew Molera State Park
Location in California
Andrew Molera State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Monterey County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | Carmel-by-the-Sea, California |
| Area | 4,766 acres (19.29 km2) |
| Established | 1968 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Andrew Molera State Park is a beautiful state park located on the stunning Big Sur coast in California, USA. It's a special place because it has been kept mostly natural, just as its former owner, Frances Molera, wanted. The park sits right where the Big Sur River meets the ocean.
This land was once part of a large area called Rancho El Sur. It was later owned by a pioneer named John Bautista Rogers Cooper and his family. His grandchildren, Andrew and Frances Molera, received the property in 1918. Andrew Molera helped make the artichoke popular in California in 1922. In 1965, Frances sold the land to The Nature Conservancy. She asked that the new park be named after her brother, Andrew.
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Fun Things to Do at Andrew Molera State Park
There are many exciting activities to enjoy at Andrew Molera State Park! You can go hiking, fishing, or search for treasures on the beach. The park has many miles of trails that go through open fields, along the beach, and up to high hills.
There's also a simple walk-in camp for hikers and bikers. It's about a third of a mile from the parking area. If you love to surf, this park is known as the best place to catch waves in Big Sur.
The park is about 20 miles (32 km) south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You can get there by driving on State Route 1.
Special Places to See
Andrew Molera State Park is home to the historic Cooper Cabin. This cabin was built in 1861 or 1862 and is the oldest building in all of Big Sur! It belonged to Juan Bautista Roger Cooper, who was Andrew Molera's grandfather and a fur trader.
The Ventana Wildlife Society has a Discovery Center inside the park. Here, you can learn about local animals, like the amazing California condor. They also have a lab where scientists put bands on birds. Scientists and staff often give tours of the park. They explain all about the unique plants and animals that live there.
The park also has a beautiful waterfall called Highbridge Falls, which is 40-foot (12 m) tall and flows all year. Other waterfalls nearby include Limekiln Falls, Salmon Creek Falls, McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Pfeiffer Falls in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Camping and Trails
Andrew Molera State Park has over 20 miles (32 km) of hiking trails. Some trails follow the coastline, offering amazing ocean views. Others go along the Big Sur River, and some climb up to high ridges. From these ridges, you can see the entire Big Sur coast!
The only camping available in the park is at a walk-in campground with 24 sites. You can't reserve a spot; it's on a first-come, first-served basis. This campground is very popular, especially with visitors from Europe. Please remember that dogs are not allowed on the trails or in the campground.
Protecting Ocean Life
Just offshore from Andrew Molera State Park are special areas called Point Sur State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area. Think of them as underwater parks! These marine protected areas help keep ocean wildlife and their homes safe and healthy.
Park History
The land where Andrew Molera State Park is today was once part of a large Mexican land grant called Rancho El Sur. A man named John Bautista Rogers Cooper traded other land to get this ranch. After California became part of the United States, Cooper had to prove he owned the land. He finally received the official ownership papers in 1866.
Cooper's son, John Bautista Henry Cooper, built a home on the ranch in 1899. Later, his sister, Francisca Guadalupe Amelia Cooper, inherited the southern part of the ranch. When she passed away, her two children, Andrew J. and Francisca (known as Frances) Molera, inherited the land. Even though they owned the ranch, they lived most of their adult lives in San Francisco.
Andrew Molera passed away suddenly in 1931. His sister Frances then became the sole owner of the family's Big Sur property. In 1965, almost 100 years after her grandfather gained ownership, Frances decided to sell about 2,200-acre (890 ha) of the land east of Highway 1 to The Nature Conservancy. She wanted this land to become a state park. The Conservancy held onto the beachfront property until the state of California could buy it.
Frances Molera made it a rule that the park had to be named Andrew Molera State Park, in honor of her brother. She also added rules to the sale that said the land should stay mostly undeveloped. Frances passed away in 1968.
When the California state park system wanted to build a lot on the land, The Nature Conservancy said they would cancel the sale. Because of this, the state agreed to keep the park mostly natural. The rest of Frances Molera's half of the original Rancho El Sur, east of Highway 1, was bought by the state soon after she died.
Images for kids
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Highbridge Falls
