Manzanita Park in Salinas is a sprawling county property managed by the North County Youth Recreation Association, and accessing it requires understanding their setup. The vehicle gate opens only during scheduled events throughout the year, but you and your dog can enter on foot from sunrise to sunset any day. The park centers around ball fields and courts, but those areas are off-limits to dogs—and honestly, they’re usually busy with youth activities anyway. What you’re really here for are the hiking and bicycle trails that crisscross the property. The Manzanita County Park Trail runs along the park’s border with a nice sandy path and plenty of greenery, which feels pleasant to walk through with your dog.

If you plan to visit regularly, grab a yearly $50 pass that gives you access during non-event times whenever you want—it’s worth it if you’re using the trails more than a few times a season. Without that pass, stick to the public hours and stay off the scheduled event areas. Dogs need to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under supervision the entire time you’re there. Since this is a working recreation facility hosting youth sports, you’ll see families and teams using the fields, so timing your visit during quieter hours makes for a more relaxed walk. The trail itself isn’t crowded compared to more popular parks in the area, which can be nice if your dog prefers a less chaotic environment. Pick up after your dog—the park depends on visitors being respectful to keep things maintained for everyone. The sandy trail surface is easy on paws, especially on warmer days when asphalt gets uncomfortable.