Andrew Molera State Park is the best place to see what Big Sur is all about on a tight schedule.Winding through Andrew Molera State Park, this loop has it all: redwood, mountains, wildflower walks, river crossings, and unyielding views of the ocean throughout. Starting from the parking lot at the park entrance, approach the road you came in, take a right, and proceed on your way to the Creamery Meadow Trail, the first trail of the loop.
After wading the knee-deep, but freezing cold, Big Sur River, turn left on River Trail and follow the riparian zone along the Big Sur River, before taking a right to the Creamery Meadow Trail at the start of the Ridge Trail. It sounds complex, but it’s surprisingly intuitive. The Ridge Trail makes up the meat of the trip, and you should definitely aim to hike it in the springtime, when the poppies, lupines, monkeyflowers, and Indian paintbrushes are in full bloom.