Came today (Sunday on midday) and it was very sweet to find a calm place for my 1 year old as well…read moreas something that she enjoys for the first time watching other children play. My baby is very shy and she was able to play and make some very sweet little friends. In regards to parking it was very full but it only took me 2 rounds around the parking lot to find one. I can say that many people don't know how to park properly some were parked in double spaces. There are some handicapped parking in the front. For the mess around the park I did see some however I think that's more of the parents' job rather than the park maintenance itself. I look forward to visit this place soon

Definitely one of the best playgrounds we've ever been to! It's huge, and has things for all ages…read more Seesaws for 4 kids, a rolling conveyor belt, handicapped swings, pretend play areas, various slides, etc. It's mostly enclosed so feels safer with only one exit. But the third time we went, the bathrooms were all closed.

I think it is a hidden gem for people with boats - kayaks canoes, etc. Free parking. Very rustic…read morebut beautiful. I can kayak for hours watching all the birds and other animals in their habitat. Nice to pack a lunch and identify all the birds..the pelicans are super at fishing for food. The sights, the smells - truly a great day adventure. There are no signs posted, the road you turn on looks like a driveway. This is one of the last coastal wetlands in California but it is shrinking.

Went 4th July weekend it was Closed Road partial washed away…read morebut passable. Locals don't recommended parking at the top of the road for long. Break windows known to occur .. hopefully opens up soon!

Great place to hike, visit a museum and see their native plant garden. This organization does great…read morework.

You'll Slough the Day…read more 1,700-acres Marsh and tidal preserve located in scenic Moss Landing and overlooking the Monterey Bay. The Good: *Free entrance *Visitor's Center with restrooms *Spectacular views of the water and great spot to view native wild birds and sea life. *You can probably explore the whole park in one day, as there's only ±5-miles of trails to navigate. *Trails are very flat and easily navigable *If you have a kid who's a rail fan, then this would be a great spot for trains and nature. The Meh: *Closed Mondays & Tuesdays The Ugly: *No shade on the trails, so it's not a great option on really hot days. TLDR: Great place for nature and ocean lovers and a really great place to bring young kids to introduce them to hiking and nature.

I've had nothing but positive experiences here. It's definitely more focused on the beginner…read moreangler, as the lake is small in size ( approx 7 acres?) and stocked regularly with trout during the cooler months. Small bass, bluegill and catfish are present in the lake also. The lake is maintained by the McAlpine Family, with Chase and Randall providing advice on techniques, tackle and water conditions. Chase is especially well known for his depth of knowledge in the aquatics of the lake and he is responsible for stocking the trout on a regular basis. Sister Scarlett and her husband Rob are managing the lake and also staff the General Store. All are super nice people and customer-friendly. The staff of Chris and "Tahoe Joe" keep the lake and facilities clean and in good order. Shout out also to "Paq" who is a multi-species angler and claims McAlpine Lake as his testing grounds for "Frenzy Spoons", which is his lure manufacturing businesses. Paq also assists at the lake and is quick to share his expertise with novice anglers. Some people "complain" that McAlpine Lake charges both an entrance and overage fee. Listen up folks, this is a private lake that has overhead costs including employee payroll, property/income tax, insurance and $$ per pound of Mt . Lassen Trout (10-12 Hour roundtrip) that Chase picks up and delivers every two weeks or so during Trout Season. There are other places to fish for free, if this doesn't work for you.

there were humongous fish and the water was clear. There are so it's easier to fish and the fish…read morecome up right to the dock.

Palm Beach State Park seems to be part of Sunset Beach, but this area is dog-friendly. There is a…read moreparking lot, but also free spaces on the road. It's a short walk to the beach. On the day we went, there were tons of jelly fish washed up on the wet sand, so I had to be careful of where our dog, Zoey, walked. In any case, she had a great time there, so I'm very glad we went.

Secluded beach that you access by driving through the mostly agricultural area of…read moreWatsonville/Pajaro. Near Pajaro dunes resort. The park may be good for a quiet and semi private picnic but amenities are limited. From the parks website: FEES - There is a $10 vehicle day-use fee. [Regular Sized Auto: $10 (Senior $9, age 62 or older); OCEAN SAFETY - dangerous rip currents, frigid water and deep offshore dropoffs make surfing and swimming hazardous for any but the most experienced surfers. ALCOHOL is not permitted on the beach or in the day-use area.

This is a fairly new state park. It is a small section of coastline in the town of Marina, just a…read morecouple of small towns north of Monterey. It used to be owned by Fort Ord which was a US Army base from World War 2 to about 1994. They used this coastline which was mostly sand dunes to train soldiers mostly in rifle and artillery fare. There are a few remnants of structures from the past but most are gone. There are plaques now to tell you what used to be where. I found it to be a good educational read. Some of the trails are going under renovation so I had to improvise my hike here. The trails seem like they come close to the highway and a few entry points going to the beach. The beach I went to was very empty due to the rough coast. It is usually pretty windy, and the water very cold, rough and with rip tides. Not really a beach to lay a blanket and/or play in the water. It was very peaceful tho in that strong nature sense. Parking is free, low crowd density, good for shorter non-strenuous hikes, I think I can find a purpose for this place.

Name That Dune…read more Formerly part of the Fort Ord Army post, this 1k-acre oceanfront state park consists of four miles of beach lined with the eponymous sand dunes. It is also one of California's newest state parks, as it has only been officially open since 2009. The Good: * Private parking lot * Free to visit! * Dogs allowed on recreation trail but not the beach or spur trails that lead to the beach. * Great beaches with amazing views * Great place to ride your bike as there's a little over 4 miles of paved trails The Meh: * Port-o-potties in the parking lot * Local Outdoor Enthusiasts™ hanging out in the parking lot. The Ugly: * Part of the paved trail was closed during our visit (April 11th, '26) Conclusion: Great state beach with not many amenities.

Really nice park! Big soccer field, cool murals, basketball courts, well maintained. Enjoyed a nice…read morerun here while we were vacationing in Aptos and were exploring this area.

Snazzy new park for kids over 5. I've never even seen some of these playground features before,…read morelike the skate-park simulation. The basketball court is nice. There are permanent restrooms and covered picnic tables. There's a history walk around the playground perimeter and bright cultural murals. The artificial turf seems a little grimy, but otherwise it is a great urban space for kids.

This is a great little park to take the kids to. Lots of grass for picnics and frisbee play. Lots…read moreof fun structures for the children. Good place to have a birthday party. Safe, clean environment.