The Best Park / Open Space in Santa Cruz & Monterey

Aptos Village Park

This is a 10.3 acre park tucked into old Aptos Village. It is the site of weekend music festivals, family picnics, weddings, company picnics, Renaissance Camp and other special events. Parking There are 27 spaces which are reserved if the facilit... more

Caledonia Park

Caledonia Park is located on Caledonia between Central and Jewell Avenues (behind the Post Office). It contains an open-space free-play area, tots' play area, ADA compliant playground and climbing equipment for older children, a baseball field, baske... more

Callaghan Park

Callaghan Park is a 2.64 Acre Neighborhood Park in Watsonville. The park has basketball and tennis courts that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but if you'd like to reserve the courts for a special event please stop by the Parks & Co... more

Camp Joy Gardens

Camp Joy Gardens is a small, organic family farm that is run as an educational non-profit organization. Since 1971 we have been teaching ourselves and others how to live more sustainable lives through gardening, animal husbandry, food preservation, a... more

Camp Krem

With more than half a century providing Northern California special needs children and adults a full program of recreation, education, fun and adventure. Our outdoor enrichment camp programs, activities and adventures for the developmentally disabled... more

Carmel River Beach

Mile-long beach with trails, a shallow lagoon for children and wildlife viewing. There is a public telephone and public restrooms in the parking lot. Dogs must be on a leash. Because of the dangerous surf, swimming is not permitted. Directions: From... more

Carmel Valley Trail and Saddle Club

Closter Park

DeLaveaga Park

The park is named after Jose Vincente DeLaveaga, a businessman who lived during the mid to late 1800's. The area where DeLaveaga park now stands was the land was the site of his former vacation home. The land used to house many horse stables, exotic... more

Devendorf Park

A large expanse of lawn surrounded by stone pathways, benches and shade trees, occupying an entire block of downtown Carmel between Ocean Ave and 6th. This park is the site of numerous public festivities throughout the year and a favorite spot for a... more

El Estero Park

El Estero Park Complex is a 45-acre City-wide multi-use recreation area in the center of Monterey at Del Monte/Camino Aguajito/Fremont/Camino El Estero. Paddleboat concession at lake, group BBQ picnic area, exercise course, restrooms. more

Elkhorn Slough Reserve

Elkhorn Slough is a seven-mile arm of the Monterey Bay located half way between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey. This arm has a bend in it as it extends inland, and at the "elbow" lies the reserve. The reserve is owned and managed by the Califo... more

Flanders Mansion

Built in the 1920's as the residence of the Flanders family, the house was purchased by the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1972. With its surrounding acreage, it became part of the city's Mission Trail Preserve, which encompasses the trails used by the... more

Forest Hill Park and Playground

A 2-acre park that includes a large children's playground, a shuffle board court, horseshoe pits, a volleyball court on sand, barbecues and picnic tables and a public telephone. more

Garland Ranch Regional Park

Garland Ranch Regional Park is located at 700 W. Carmel Valley Rd., 8.6 miles east of Highway 1 and about 1/2 mile west of the Laureles Grade. The Visitor Center is located just within the park. From the parking lots along Carmel Valley Road, ente... more

Glorya Jean Tate Park

A park in Marina featuring a baseball field and playground. more

Harvey West Park Clubhouse

Harvey West Swimming Pool

The Harvey West swimming pool also has a wading pool for the kids. more

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees. Its historical significance and spectacular scenery draw travelers from around the world. Visitors... more

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (Fall Creek Unit)

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees. Its historical significance and spectacular scenery draw travelers from around the world. Visitors... more

Jack's Peak Regional Park

Laguna Grande Park

Laguna Seca Recreation Area

At the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, visitors can camp on the surrounding hillsides for a serene view of the Salinas Valley.  Both RV and tent camping are available in a clean, friendly environment.  The park is just a short drive from the M... more

Lake San Antonio Recreation Area

Laurel Park

Laurel Park is a beautiful neighborhood park and reserveable space adjacent to Louden Nelson Community Center. Home to several community events. The park features: * Basketball Court * Playground * Chess Table * Table Tennis * Pickle Ball C... more

Lester Rowntree Native Plant Garden

A one-acre hillside garden of mature native California plants, with meandering paths and comfortable benches at especially scenic outlooks; a quiet woodland retreat for the enjoyment of the beauties of nature. Evening is the ideal time for bird lover... more

Lighthouse Point

Also known as Point Santa Cruz, this area forms the northern boundary of Monterey Bay. It is one of the last open headlands in any California urban area. Surfers, tourists, birds - including the rare black swift - and wintering monarch butterflies ar... more

Lovers Point Park

Lovers Point Park is located at the foot of 17th Street, and is a landscaped community park of 4.4 acres. It is used for picnicking, fishing, swimming, water sports, and surfing. Lovers Point's amenities include a large lawn area, a beach volleyba... more

Manresa State Beach

Manresa State Beach features a beautiful expanse of sea and sand, with surf fishing, surfing, and recreation.  more

Marina Dunes Reserve

The coastal dunes along our south Monterey Bay form a narrow edge between former dunes where we live and the bay. This strip of land is steadily changing from wind and wave forces. During especially strong winter storms, this change can be quite obvi... more

Mission Plaza

Mission San Juan Bautista State Park

This park is adjacent to one of California's 21 Franciscan missions. The location was once the largest town in central California and the hub of travel between northern and central California. The mission is owned and operated by the Catholic Church... more

Mission Trail Nature Preserve

Mission Trail Park encompasses 35 acres of unspoiled native vegetation, containing a rich diversity of habitats - meadows, a grove of Oak trees and a dense Monterey Pine forest. This is a perfect spot for an early morning jaunt or an evening stroll -... more

Monterey State Historic Park - Custom House Plaza

Monterey State Historic Park is a collection of significant historic houses and buildings interspersed throughout Old Monterey. The inside of the Stevenson House, Larkin House, Cooper-Molera Adobe, and Casa Soberanes can ONLY be viewed with a State P... more

Mt. Madonna

Welcome to Mt. Madonna County Park, one of the most majestic of Santa Clara County's regional park and recreation areas. This 4,605-acre park is dominated by the redwood forest so characteristic of the Santa Cruz Mountain range. To the east, the park... more

Mystery Spot

The Mystery Spot is an area about 150 feet in diameter located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. Within the Mystery Spot you will be baffled as the laws of physics and gravity cease to exist. Discovered in 1939 and opene... more

Natividad Creek Park

Natividad Creek Park is a community-created sanctuary designed to reintroduce nature into the community. Inspired by the deep admiration and respect many native cultures have of the natural world, the park strives to bring people back to nature by... more

Natural Bridges State Park

Natural Bridges State Beach is world-renowned for its yearly migration of monarch butterflies. Visitors can see thousands during the butterflies’ peak season. The best time to see monarchs in the park is usually from mid-October to late January... more

New Brighton Beach

The beach features picnic areas, swimming, fishing and a nearby forest of Monterey pine and Coastal Live Oak. The camping area is on a bluff overlooking northern Monterey Bay. more

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