Discover The 10 Best Monterey County Parks
1. Point Lobos State Reserve (see below)
2. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (see below)
3. Pinnacles National Monument (see below)
4. Lovers Point Park (see below)
5. Lake San Antonio, King City 755-4899
Camping, boating, picnicking
6. Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing
Hang gliding, kite flying, picnicking
7. Monterey State Historic Park, 649-7188
Step back in time as you enter
8. Garland Ranch, Carmel Valley 659-4488
Horseback riding, hiking, picnicing
9. Asilomar State Beach, Pacific Grove
Surfing, swimming, picnics
10. Carmel River Beach, Carmel 624-4909

From Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, to Toro Park at the foot of Salinas’ Gabilan Mountains, to the Ventana Wilderness covering Big Sur, you could easily get lost in the natural splendor of it all. Whether you choose to see it by car, kayak, airplane, or by foot, Discovering Monterey County’s parks and beaches is a wondrous experience.
State Parks

Andrew Molera State Park
Big Sur 667-7195
www.parks.ca.gov
In the spectacular Big Sur area, this park is still relatively undeveloped and offers visitors great hiking, fishing and beachcombing. Primitive camping, hike and bike only.

Asilomar State Beach
Ocean View & Forest Aves.,
Pacific Grove

Carmel River State Beach & Carmel River Lagoon & Wetlands

Garrapata State Park
7 miles So. of Carmel
Garrapata State Park offers hikers panoramic views of redwoods, the coast, sea lions and migrating whales.

Marina State Beach
384-7695
Off Hwy 1, Marina

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Big Sur 667-2315
All year camping, showers, laundry, no hook-ups.

Point Lobos State Reserve

Point Sur-Big Sur Coastline

Regional/City Parks
Marina Dunes Preserve-Marina

Locke-Paddon Community Park -Marina

Lovers Point -Pacific Grove

Laguna Grande Community Park-Seaside

Rocky Shores-Pacific Grove

Garland Ranch Regional Park-Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley Community Park -Carmel Valley

Cachagua Community Park-Carmel Valley
County Parks

San Lorenzo Park
1160 Broadway,
King City 385-5964
Camping, Picnic, RVs

Laguna Seca Rec. Area
1025 Monterey Hwy. 68,
Sal. 647-7799 (800) 327-7322
Campgrounds are maintained year round by Monterey County for visitor use.

Toro County Park 755-4899
501 Monterey-Salinas Hwy. 68, Salinas
Day Use, picnics, youth center

Royal Oaks Park 755-4899
537 Maher Road,
Watsonville
Day Use, picnics, youth center

Jacks Peak County Park
(888) 588-2267
25020 Jacks Peak Park Road, Monterey
Day Use

Lake San Antonio
2610 San Antonio Rd.
Bradley, 755-4899
Boating, fishing, camping, RV and day use.

Veteran’s Memorial park
Monterey 646-3865
40 primitive campsites. RVs to 21 feet. No hook-ups

Monterey County Parks Dept
PO Box 5249, Salinas
(888) 588-CAMP or 755-4899
www.mprpd.org

NATIONAL PARKS
Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest encompasses nearly two million acres in the in the Ventana Wilderness Area.

Pinnacles National Monument
See map-
Call for directions 389-4485
Rising out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, east of central California’s Salinas Valley, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano. Hiking, picnics, day use.
Elkhorn Slough-Moss Landing
Elkhorn Slough (pronounced “slew”) harbors is one of the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California. This ecological treasure at the center of the Monterey Bay coastline provides much-needed habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals.
Point Lobos State Reserve
It is from this vantage point you are to witness the greatest meeting of land and sea. Visit the Whalers Cove and, during the winter months, view whales migrating along the coast. Hwy 1. south of Carmel. Call 624-4909.
Pinnacles National Monument
Some 30 miles of trails in over 24,000 acres of remote terrain lead to the remains of a volcano, where you’ll find ancient monoliths and spires of golden stone. Wildlife abounds. TIP: Travel in groups with plenty of water.
Lovers Point Beach -Pacific Grove
This wind-sheltered beach with a grassy picnic area is ideal for family picnics and sun bathing. Snorkel and kayak rentals are also available. Corner of Ocean View & Forest Aves. TIP: Site of the annual Feast of Lanterns, July 26-28. Call 373-3304.