Toro County Park
Toro County Park is located six miles from downtown Salinas, and 13 miles from the Monterey Peninsula. First opened to the public in 1971, the park’s 4,756 acres have been a haven for thousands of visitors. The park is also home to many types of wildlife including deer, coyote, and a rare mountain lion or golden eagle.
Toro Park features over 20 miles of challenging trails, all of which lead to sweeping views of the Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay. Elevations in the park range from about 200' at the entrance to over 2000' at the southeast end of the park. The most popular trail is the "1800" trail, which rises from sea level to 1,800 feet and provides the best scenic views. The trails in the park are a mix of dirt roads and singletrack, which can be steep and rocky in places. Many of the trails are on exposed hills and ridges, which makes for great views; however, the trails can be hot in the summer! Many of the trails are open to mountain bikes, so be careful when hiking or running on the trails.
Please note that the trails in Toro Park are not always well marked. So, it is recommended to bring a map along as you explore the park.
In addition to hiking trails, the park features an equestrian staging area and riding trails, two softball fields, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, and volleyball courts. Five picnic areas are available at Toro Park for large groups to rent, and two are available to groups under 50 people.
Toro Park features over 20 miles of challenging trails, all of which lead to sweeping views of the Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay. Elevations in the park range from about 200' at the entrance to over 2000' at the southeast end of the park. The most popular trail is the "1800" trail, which rises from sea level to 1,800 feet and provides the best scenic views. The trails in the park are a mix of dirt roads and singletrack, which can be steep and rocky in places. Many of the trails are on exposed hills and ridges, which makes for great views; however, the trails can be hot in the summer! Many of the trails are open to mountain bikes, so be careful when hiking or running on the trails.
Please note that the trails in Toro Park are not always well marked. So, it is recommended to bring a map along as you explore the park.
In addition to hiking trails, the park features an equestrian staging area and riding trails, two softball fields, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, and volleyball courts. Five picnic areas are available at Toro Park for large groups to rent, and two are available to groups under 50 people.
Steep, exposed trails in Toro Park
The Dirt:
Extras:
- Click here for the official park website with link to park map and brochure.
- Dogs on leash are welcome on all trails in the park!
Extras:
- Toro Park alsofeatures an equestrian staging area and riding trails, two softball fields, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and picnic areas.
- There is an entrance fee to drive into the park. To avoid this, many people park outside the park at the intersection of Portola Drive and 117th Drive.
- There is no drinking water available along the trails, so bring your own!
Favorite Run #1: Coming soon!
Marker at the top of Ollason Peak