HomeCaliforniaMonterey › Monterey Bay Park

Monterey Bay Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 262 Google reviews · Running trail in Monterey, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Monterey Bay Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADATrailhead parking

Small lawned oceanfront park with a sand volleyball court allowing dogs on leashes.

What runners say about Monterey Bay Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (262 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Beautiful, shady, lots of other puppies to play with—the burrs were a bit horrendous in the coats of longhair dogs.”

Calm and relaxing spot we stop at 6pm on a Friday and it was just chill the weather smooth and sunny, just enough to get a small sun burn 🔥 , the the beach is big enough to it doesn't feel crowded and there's a park to the side to catch your breath or have a good walk on the beach trail Really good spot .

★★★★★ — Beto , Jul 2023

Trails and fairly easy access to the beach 🏖 and shoreline. Wooden steps look fairly new. Sign mentioned there is an attempt to start up a monarch Grove which would be interesting.

★★★★☆ — Rob , Jul 2022

Beautiful, shady, lots of other puppies to play with—the burrs were a bit horrendous in the coats of longhair dogs. But shade and atmosphere can not be outdone.

★★★★★ — Mj , Jul 2025

Awesome place to visit , clean beaches for a nice walk and not very crowded early in the season. Very nice place to be.

★★★★★ — Cody , Apr 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 262 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“Beautiful, shady, lots of other puppies to play with—the burrs were a bit horrendous in the coats of longhair dogs.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“Beautiful, shady, lots of other puppies to play with—the burrs were a bit horrendous in the coats of longhair dogs.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“Plenty of parking at pay lots.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Monterey Bay Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitemonterey.org
  • Phone+1 831-646-3866
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 am–7:30 pm
Tuesday 7 am–7:30 pm
Wednesday 7 am–7:30 pm
Thursday 7 am–7:30 pm
Friday 7 am–7:30 pm
Saturday 7 am–7:30 pm
Sunday 7 am–7:30 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Monterey Bay Park

Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940

Get directions

Running trails near Monterey

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

El Estero Park

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ScenicDog-friendly

Popular playground that's good for kids, with swans, geese and other birds.

under a mile away

Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail

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Scenic

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Sister City Park

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under a mile away

Monterey Bay Recreation Trail North-North West Seal Lions

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Scenic

under a mile away

Roberts Lake Park

4 ★★★★☆ 34 reviews

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Scenic

1.5 miles away

Huckleberry Hill Loop Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 46 reviews

Monterey, CA

LoopScenic

Family-friendly area featuring steep trails through hills and forests, plus a campground and views of the bay.

1.6 miles away

All running trails in Monterey, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.