01
Best overall pick
Fort Ord National Monument
Fort Ord / East Of Del Rey Oaks • Expansive Former Military Open Space With Rolling Hills • Most Versatile Trail Network
Miles of intersecting trails make Fort Ord the go‑to choice when you want options, open views, and room to roam.
Just a few minutes from Del Rey Oaks, Fort Ord offers everything from quick fire road climbs to long ridge loops with wide Pacific glimpses on clear days. The sandy, well‑drained trails are great year‑round, and you can tailor the day to your energy level in minutes. Expect mostly open terrain with scattered oaks, steady grades, and enough space that it rarely feels crowded.
02
Best close-to-town escape
Jacks Peak County Park
Monterey Hills Above Highway 68 • Shady Forest Park With Bay Overlooks • Best For Short Scenic Loops
Jacks Peak trades coastal wind for quiet pine and oak forest, with short loops that still deliver Monterey Bay views.
If you want a quick after‑work hike without a long drive, Jacks Peak is the sweet spot. The trail network is compact but varied, winding through Monterey pines and oaks with a few short view spurs that look out over the bay and city below. It’s an easy place to bring visitors or less‑experienced hikers who still want a sense of the local landscape.
03
Iconic coastal hike
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Carmel Highlands Coast • Dramatic Coastal Reserve With Cliffside Trails • Best Ocean Views
Point Lobos packs world‑class coastal scenery into manageable trails that almost anyone can tackle.
About 20–25 minutes from Del Rey Oaks, Point Lobos is where you go when you want tide‑carved coves, sea lion barks, and windswept cypress all in one loop. Trails are generally short and well‑signed, letting you stitch together blufftop walks, sheltered inlets, and wildlife viewpoints without committing to a huge day. Arrive early on weekends and holidays—the parking lots fill fast for good reason.
04
Best for all-day adventures
Garland Ranch Regional Park
Lower Carmel Valley • Varied Canyon And Ridge Park With River Access • Best Elevation Gain And Variety
Garland Ranch offers everything from flat river strolls to steep ridge climbs with big Carmel Valley panoramas.
This is the spot when you want choices and don’t mind some climbing. Lower trails near the Carmel River are mellow and shaded, good for families or a quick leg stretch, while steeper routes like Snively’s Ridge reward the effort with sweeping views back toward the valley and hills above Del Rey Oaks. Spring wildflowers and oak‑dotted slopes make it especially photogenic, but it’s a solid pick in any season.
05
Fitness challenge pick
Toro County Park
Highway 68 Corridor Toward Salinas • Sunny Chaparral Slopes And Ridge Trails • Best Workout Hike
Toro County Park is the place locals go when they want steeper climbs, big-sky ridgelines, and fewer crowds.
Located a short drive inland, Toro’s trails ramp up quickly, making even shorter outings feel like a real workout. The reward is long, open ridges with views across the Salinas Valley and back toward the Monterey Peninsula, especially striking on clear winter and spring days. Shade is limited on many routes, so locals tend to start early and save the longest climbs for cooler weather.