Walking Archives - Monterey Bay Parent

PARK PATROL: Mission Park in Salinas

By Monterey Bay Staff | October 24, 2023

Green space good for practicing soccer

Large play structure good for 5-12 year olds

Beautiful oak trees making it perfect for a picnic

Located across from Compass Church, Mission Park is a clean local park with huge oak trees. It has large open grass spaces, and the playground is not fenced. It’s a little hard (but not impossible!) to find parking spaces since most of the ones available are being used by the people who live around the park.

Mission Park is open from sunrise to sunset, and dogs are not allowed. This park does not have picnic tables, BBQ pits, or bathrooms. A few benches are looking at the playground so if you want to sit down relax and watch your kids play, it’s a great spot to do so.

As I stated before the park is not fenced and there is traffic going around the whole park so keeping your toddlers (runners!) at arm’s distance is a must! The big fun play structure has woodchips and is not wheelchair accessible, this is designed for kids 5 to 12 years old; but Victoria, my 3-year-old, had lots of fun climbing up and down and testing her strength and boundaries. The park also offers swings for kids 2 to 4 and a set for older kids too. There are a couple of otters you can ride and monkey bars.

During this park scouting we observed families playing soccer and practicing some baseball there as well as kids riding their bikes. Mission Park has beautiful oak trees that make for nice, shaded areas; Victoria had so much fun playing hide and seek behind the big trunks. We also had our picnic blanket, so we were able to choose one nice green area to sit and play with some of her toys.

Overall, this park is clean and a good option to spend a short time and release some energy with our little ones. Maybe walk around and meet your step’s goal for the day! It was our first time at this park and my child managed to make some friends and make a great hour and a half there. It felt safe with all the families and kids around. Remember to take some water with you; there is no water fountain!

Mission Park: 110 W Romie Lane, Salinas CA 93901

Alia Hochgesang grew up on the Monterey Peninsula and is raising her family in Pacific Grove. She loves being outdoors, trying new restaurants, and going to the beach.

PARK PATROL: Laguna Grande in Seaside

By Monterey Bay Staff | September 23, 2023

Located within Seaside and the City of Monterey

Has a surface-level merry-go-round that is wheelchair accessible

Separate playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 5-12

Three-story enclosed climbing structure

Nice walking paths

Laguna Grande Park in Seaside includes walking paths, sports fields, a lake, wildlife habitat and natural plants and flowers. A fun fact about this park is that 80% of it is in the city of Seaside and about 20% is located in the city of Monterey.

The children’s playground is really the jewel of this park. There is a small parking lot off Canyon Del Rey Blvd. with a sign right at the entrance of the playground. During a weekday afternoon visit, there were a few other families playing, but it was not busy.

Laguna Grande has some unique features. One of the coolest pieces of playground equipment I have seen locally is the surface level merry-go round. This merry-go-round can be propelled by children inside the structure by turning a wheel, or just by pushing on the outside of the structure. The best part is that it is wheelchair accessible. There is also free-standing musical equipment, which I have not seen at other parks in the area. Kids of all ages can play with the musical pieces, a great option for some sensory and auditory input.

The rest of the playground is divided int two sections: a smaller play structure for ages 2-5, and a larger structure for ages 5-12, both with wood chips as ground cover. The smaller structure has three slides and a small “rock-climbing” ramp.

The larger structure is a three-story high, fully enclosed structure so no worries of a child falling from the highest level. There are four different slides, two regular and two tube slides, which are accessed at the different levels of the structure. There are also options for climbing ropes and ladders.

Two drawbacks: the park faces a busy street and is not enclosed so be prepared to be extra vigilant. Unfortunately, the bathrooms were not clean enough to use so plan a bathroom break before you get to the park.

Overall, Laguna Grande is welcoming, surrounded by walking paths and views of the lake. It’s also conveniently located with several big box stores nearby if you’re combining a visit with errands.

Located at 1249 Canyon Del Rey Blvd. Seaside, CA 93955

Alia Hochgesang grew up on the Monterey Peninsula and is raising her family in Pacific Grove. She loves being outdoors, trying new restaurants, and going to the beach.

Our Favorite Monterey and Santa Cruz County Walks

By Monterey Bay Staff | February 23, 2021

Here are nine local destinations where your family can enjoy some outdoor time and a great walk!

1. Frog Pond Wetland Preserve

Enjoy a short (¾ mile) loop around a beautiful pond while listening for the calls of ducks, frogs, and a variety of birds. Children will love exploring under the overgrown trees and bushes, which almost feel like a natural labyrinth. Don´t forget to bring your binoculars and a light lunch.

Address: 698 Canyon Del Rey Blvd.

Del Rey Oaks, 93940

Parking: Free, located off of the shoulder of Canyon Del Rey Blvd.

2. Fort Ord Dunes State Park

At Fort Ord Dunes you will find over five miles of paved trails that are all-access friendly. If you´re feeling adventurous, explore sand trails that branch off toward the dunes and beach. Only have a short break? Skip the walk and head down to the first beach access trail by the main parking lot entrance. Enjoy breathtaking views while the children climb the dunes.

Address: Stillwell Hall Marina, 93933

Parking: Free, open from sunrise to sunset.

Parking: Free, but limited.

3. Jack’s Peak Park

Nestled comfortably in the hills of Monterey, Jack´s Peak Park offers a great workout within its eight miles of trails. Children will love its storybook location complete with lush pine trees. The whole family can experience the thrill of hiking up to the highest point in the Monterey Peninsula, rising 1,068 feet above the valley! The views of the ocean, city, and bay below will quickly become a family favorite. Picnic areas are available next to the parking lots.

Parking: $5 per vehicle.

Address: 25020 Jack´s Peak Park Rd, Monterey, 93940.

4. Salinas River State Beach

Located in the heart of Moss Landing, this trail is accessible through Potrero and Sandholt Roads off of HWY 1. The whole family will enjoy exploring trails and passing the slough, boats, and beach that connect the two entrances.

Parking: Free.

Address: Potrero Road access: 10933 Potrero Road Moss Landing, 95039

Moss Landing Road access:

7866 Sandholdt Road

Moss Landing, 95039

5. Laguna Grande Regional Park

Laguna Grande Regional Park is located in the cities of Seaside and Monterey and is managed separately by their respective owners and operators, Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD), City of Seaside, and the City of Monterey. Take the family out for a walk around this gorgeous lake while exploring the three surrounding playgrounds. The complete loop is about a mile and you´ll enjoy tracking your distance or simply enjoying the sights of the ducks and birds. Picnic tables are also available.

Parking: Free.

Address: 1350 Del Monte Boulevard Seaside, 93955.

6. Fort Ord National Monument

This secluded location boasts over 86 miles of undeveloped wildland terrain. Flora and fauna lovers will enjoy identifying over 35 rare species of plant with scenic views of the valleys. This location is known for its inclines, so bring your mountain bikes and good hiking shoes.

Parking: Free.

Address: Creekside Terrace,

Salinas, 93908.

7. Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

Elkhorn Slough is more than just a research facility. Dress in layers and take along a lunch, as you hike through marshes, woodlands, and creeks. The area is well known for its variety of birds. There are kayak companies in Moss Landing that rent kayaks, stand up paddle boards and other boats for use in the Slough. The Reserve is open Wednesday thru Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Parking: Free.

Address: 1700 Elkhorn Rd,

Watsonville, 95012.

8. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Experience the sensation of wanderlust as this park offers beautiful scenery at every turn. With over 10 miles looping through the shore and forest, Point Lobos provides hours of endless space to explore. The forest will pull you in with its ocean vistas, the calls of sea lions, cliff viewpoints, tide pools, diving areas, and beaches all along the south shore.

Parking: $10 per vehicle (limited availability)

Address: 62 California 1 Carmel, 93923.

9. Mission Trail Park

A former estate that has now been converted into a 33-acre preserve, it houses a network of five miles of trails that the whole family will enjoy. The trails are mostly flat and are surrounded by tall pine, redwoods, and a wide variety of flora. The trails wind through streams with visibility of Carmel Beach. A well-preserved secret, Mission Trail Park offers views of Point Lobos, the Carmel Mission Basilica, and an abandoned mansion.

Parking: Free.

Address: 25800 Hatton Rd, Carmel, 93923.

10. Asilomar Boardwalk and Beach

A ¼ mile boardwalk meanders through 25 acres of restored sand dune ecosystem. More than 450,000 plants, representing 25 species, have been grown and planted in an effort to preserve the dunes and coastal bluffs. This easy walk is wheelchair and stroller friendly and offers great sunset views. You can also cross Sunset Drive and walk along the beach or the one-mile Asilomar Coast Trail.

Parking: Free parking along the coastal road of Sunset Drive or in the limited visitor spots at Asilomar Conference grounds.

Address: 800 Asilomar Avenue,

Pacific Grove, 93950