The most abiding joy to be had on the Monterey Peninsula is simply enjoying the rugged coastal scenery, and there’s no better way to soak it up than on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. This paved, multi-use path stretches 18 miles from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south. To get started, we suggest strolling the segment between Cannery Row and Asilomar State Beach, which will take about an hour at a moderate walking pace.
Paw Press Blog
Put these hiking havens on your radar
Photo by Anna.
Regional park districts in the Bay Area and beyond offer myriad venues for hiking with your dog. Check out the possibilities and put paws to path this fall!
Coastal cool-off in Monterey County
If it's coastal hiking that you are interested in, start in Monterey, where you can join the throngs of people and pups out for a stroll on the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, a paved, multi-use path that stretches 18 scenic miles from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south, hugging a route once used by the Southern Pacific Railway. The Pacific Grove section is a particular DogTrekker favorite. It hugs a stretch of coastline marked by dramatic rock formations, crashing waves, cawing gulls, braying sea lions and passing whales. Clamber down to Asilomar Beach for a close look at wetsuit-clad surfers and life-filled tidepools (but do keep Sparky on a leash).
Moseying around monterey
Bleeker and Aero in Monterey. Photo Dave Kendrick
They say that Monterey Wine Country is "where great taste begins." We know from experience that it's also a great place to experience dog-friendly hospitality along the River Road Wine Trail. Rolling hills misted with morning fog create memorable panoramas, while the climate is comfortable year-round. Pack a picnic, a camera and a leash and invite Fido to share in the memories.
Scenic coasting in Monterey County
Carmel By The Sea. Photo by Susan Berman.
Monterey County boasts one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, from Watsonville in the north to the famous Big Sur in the south.