Toro County Park
501 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Salinas, (831) 755-4895, co.monterey.ca.us
Just southeast of the intersection of Highway 68 and River Road, more than 4,700 acres of wilderness invite exploration. By hiking just three or four miles into the park’s impressive network of trails, solitude isn’t just attainable – it’s probable. On the same hike, one can enjoy both creeks and peaks, oak groves and vistas of rolling hills, the Monterey Bay, and in winters like 2019, even snow-dusted mountains.