1. El Estero Park

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Monterey, CA

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El Estero Park

4.3 (41 reviews)

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OK, but is it unlawful to *be* in the park between those hours?
John S.

It's dead-center on the line between three and our stars, but rather than rounding up as I normally do, I'm going to round down, because El Estero Park has way too much going for it not to automatically be a four-star affair. There's a double water element. There's the estuary itself (el estero), where you can rent swan and duck boats and paddle around the non-mysterious mysterious island in the middle of the the lake--I mean estuary. But you also have a clear view of Monterey Bay across Del Monte Avenue and Monterey Bay Park and Del Monte Beach. The edges of the estuary dangle really far south on both ends like an Old West gunslinger's mustache, so there's that to explore in your swan/duck boat as well. The middle part of the park, which you have to cross one of the bridges to get to, includes a skate park, a dog park, Dennis the Menace Playground, and three separate cemeteries. I'm excluding those features from this review since I didn't "use" any of them (although the playground looks super fun for kids). There's a path that winds counterclockwise from the northeast side of the estuary all the way down around the western mustache tail and up to Pearl Street, whose sidewalk you can use to cross back into the center of the park and again across the eastern mustache tail back to where the path started. There are plenty of benches throughout the park, most of them facing the water. Some are in better shape than others. There is also enough grass to have a largish picnic on, but not enough for any sort of regular game of soccer, football, or ultimate. The grass is in pretty poor shape in some areas, especially north and northwest of the estuary. I'm sure the aggressive Canada geese's piles of poop don't make the gardeners' jobs any easier, but the park could use some serious love, especially since it gets so much use by the community, which is great to see. The men's restroom was clean when I came. Overall, I had a pleasant experience reading on various benches around the estuary. It's not a quiet or particularly natural-feeling place, but it's a good city park--if only the city would spend more on its upkeep.

Charles F.

I spent a lot of days here in my childhood and it was extra special to be back with my mom and my brother. The park is easy accessible and has a lot of cool attractions near by like Dennis the Menace park, The first French Consulate, paddle boats, exercise equipment and more. Take a moment from the craziness of the Wharf and Cannery Row and make sure to stop by El Estero lake to enjoy this little treasure in the Monterey Bay.

Mary L.

Lots of wet muddy trails during rainy weather and month of December for sure. I enjoyed the long walk around the area. It's actually a decent size for your walking or running routine. I didn't stop at Dennis The Menace Park or playgrounds, but it turned out to be more spacious than expected. All free public parking available at all sidewalk curbs and more free private parking lots on all sides. I think it's a unique and different feeling here during cold weather months, but views are still different than most for sure. Looks decent and maintained, but note, there are some homeless folks and other crowds in the area, so pick your routes and walking paths wisely. Trash bins may be full and there's lots of green muddy grassy areas. Maybe you'll see something different during summertime. It's a huge place to walk all around if you can. Beautiful end of Autumn views included. Too windy for me. Find nature and allow nature to touch your heart during holidays. Reflections from the water makes this a special place too. Capture your own views. Whatever you do, make it great around here. Free local parks with lots of spaces to walk around are a blessing these days. Be safe and stay healthy.

John H.

Sweet little area across the street from the bay. Nice but short walking path with water fowl. Dennis Menace Playground on the other side and boat rentals.

Fishing
Ashlee M.

Beautiful park and it's a MUST stop every time we visit Monterey! We didn't catching anything, but the weather was nice and the skate park next door was playing some good music.

Juan F.

I came here just for boat paddling. It is kinda pricey ($15 for 1/2 hour and $20 for the hour). However, since the park is really nice and the lake is a good size, my gf and I paid for the hour. The first 15 minutes were really nice, after that it got boring. Therefore, if you come to boat paddle I recommend just paying for 1/2 hour. It is a nice way to spend quality time with someone and relax!

Catalina M.

Review for skatepark in Monterey. Don't bring your kid here unless you stay to watch. El Estero Skatepark is in El Estero Park right next to Dennis the Menace park. Nice skatepark location overlooking the little lagoon with paddle boats shaped like swans. Skatepark is small. Open till dusk. $100 fine for not wearing helmets. No one was wearing a helmet xcept for my kid and two other kids. Only skaters allowed but there were plenty of scooters and BMX A nice older teen stopped and gave my son some tips. Overall my son enjoyed himself until... kids started smoking pot under the tree and in the corner. 13 yr olds on up. Some pyromaniac kid started a fire on the corner ramp. Some older kid started verbally harassing my son and I had to put a stop to that. The new friend my son made stuck by his side while I was watching closely. Around 5 pm some guy named Scooby arrived and brought beer and cigarettes for all the kids. The only other parent there said there was a big fight here two days ago and the police were called. This is Monterey? We have better skateparks in San Jose. Like anyplace don't leave your kid unsupervised No police officers ever stopped by.

El Estero Park
Mike M.

This is a great park in so many ways. El Estero Park is just across the street from the beach but it's very much a traditional city park with a man made lake, a fishing pier, dog park, baseball diamond, paddle boating, an exercise course and a first class children's playground. It's very much a local's park. The throngs of tourists pass right by it on their way towards Cannery Row and Pacific Grove but don't view it as a destination. This means finding a parking spot is easy most of the day. Monterey is sympathetic to the homeless who more or less occupy the lawn area across the street from the McDonald's Restaurant. This is a very small portion of the rather large park. El Estero is large enough for everyone and it would be a mistake and a shame to label it as a homeless park.

Giao T.

$16 for 1/2 hr to paddle around a lake. I guess it's a "tried it once and that's enough for me" experience. Good workout and the day was serene and beautiful without a cloud in the sky. Water was clean with no trash floating around - that's good. Can't give a resounding "thumbs up and give a try" nor a "stay away from this place" recommendation as it was okay overall. I suppose if you like to spend 30 mins to an hr paddleboating in circles, then this is for you.

Water level is getting low.... It may be time to move the bodies
Tiffany J.

Two words. Goose crap. Beware. lots of tourists. traffic in this area is always a hassle. there's a mcdonalds on one corner. there's a denny's-style café attached to the hotel on the other end of the park. the skate park there is decent----at least its a place for skaters to do so safely. the el estero paddle boats are a decent way to kill an hour or two. I've never checked on the pricing but i'm sure its on par with bike rentals or kayak rentals.

Close-up of an adult Great Blue Heron -  - (Ardea herodias) Photo © Kathleen L. Ryan
Kathleen R.

El Estero Park is a wonderful place to go bird watching. There are many benches that provide excellent vantage points, along with the foot bridge, to spy several species of birds from.

Between Dennis the Menace park, the two wharfs, the views, the beach a block away from the lake you can paddle boat in, this place is amazing.

El Estero Park

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15 years ago

I brought my kids here for a paddle on the lake and it was wonderful! The woman who owns the company was a real sweetheart.

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Review Highlights - El Estero Park

“Dennis The Menace Park is pretty visible from the street at which you turn off onto heading towards Cannery Row.”

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Dennis the Menace Playground

Dennis the Menace Playground

4.7(533 reviews)
0.1 mi

This was our first visit to the playground. I saw the size and diversity of structures here and…read moreknew we had to visit. Since we were going to be in the area, it was added to our agenda for the day. From the parking lot, you see a baseball field, life size train behind black gates and restrooms. The parking lot was adequate in size and held about 20-25 cars. We were fortunate to obtain the last open parking space while others circled and departed. At the entrance of Dennis the Menace, there are the restrooms, a case for free books to leave or take, a stand on the background of the playground, an oversized lion who's mouth serves as a water fountain (so cool!) and a Dennis the menace comic strip page. Directly behind the train, to your right as you enter, is an oversized figure of Dennis the Menace enclosed in the gate. There are 2-3 stands sharing the history and significance of the trains presence. There are large rocks to climb with two tunnels to walk through, a rock climbing wall, a cross bridge connecting two large rocks, swings, slides, a maze made from gates leading to a smaller play structure, a tube based slide, an oversized sunshine staircase, a boat, and so much more. This space is incredible to experience as an adult, our daughter ran around for hours allowing us to share in her fun running along side her. There were few spots offering refuge from the sun and seating was minimal. There are a few benches, but mostly the stone structure surrounding the play area was used. The gnats...they were everywhere in swarms making it difficult to navigate and fully enjoy. We were constantly swatting at the tiny buggers, our daughter was existing free as a bird making her way around the park - doubt she noticed. There were a few spots on the park we were able to find relief, very few. It would be great if the park implemented some bug deterrent to lessen the presence of the gnats. Other than that, it was an incredible experience we all enjoyed. We were there for a few hours and only departed because she needed to eat dinner. 4.5 due to the presence of the gnats. In their absence a solid 10.

Dennis the Menace Playground, Monterey…read more August 2026 I've been here a few times with my family. This is an awesome park and it's pretty big! This park is great for all ages even for adults too! I highly recommend going on the weekends, although there are a lot of people, I think they close during the weekday since there's a preschool nearby. Right next to this playground entrance, there's a baseball field and there's a small snack bar, it's called El Estero Snack Bar, they sell hamburgers, fries and drinks. We ordered the nacho cheese fries with jalapeno peppers on the side. It came out piping hot! Although it seems so basic, it was really good on a cold day! Highly recommend this playground and would come back if I'm in the area. This place is awesome!

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Dennis the Menace Playground - Whale swing for 2!

Whale swing for 2!

Dennis the Menace Playground - 02/2008

02/2008

Dennis the Menace Playground

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Via Paraiso Park - Toddler playground

Via Paraiso Park

4.6(12 reviews)
1.2 mi

Awesome little park! It's super clean, manicured, quiet, and well layed out. I grew up going to…read morethis park since I lived in the neighborhood and now I take my toddler there. There is a playground for 2-5 year olds right next to a playground for 5-12 year olds. Across the grass from the playgrounds, there is a baseball field, with a basketball court next to it. On the other side from the playground are some very quiet tennis courts. Plus there are bathrooms, benches, and a fairly large picnic area up above. Also, there's walking paths around it and a canyon behind it. We took my dog today and did not see any No Dog signs, except understandably, on the baseball field and in the tennis courts. You should definitely keep them on a leash though because there are squirrels and other wildlife (deer, birds) in the park. Plus the park is surrounded by streets.

Awesome park! We were looking for a place for our kids to get their energy out and this place was…read moreso wonderful! They have two playgrounds for different age groups which always helps. I love that they have so much nature areas that the kids can run and climb on besides the playground. They also have a basketball court, tennis court and basebAll! Downside: bathroom is not clean but I know I shouldn't expect much from a park. Best part: little library right next to the tennis court. It also has a lot of trails! We saw 2 deers too!!! This is what happens when you come from LA! Nature is a wonderful thing!

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Via Paraiso Park - Playground

Playground

Via Paraiso Park
Via Paraiso Park - Playground

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Playground

El Estero Boating - Not one, but two!! CUTIE PATOOTIES!

El Estero Boating

4.0(80 reviews)
0.0 mi

We went pedal boating here and I really enjoyed it, it was something different for us. It was me,…read moremy husband, and my daughter and we got to pedal around the lake together, which was really nice. The staff was great, very informative and made sure we understood everything before we got on. They had different types of boats too, not just regular ones, but fun ones like ducks, swans, and even dragon boats, which made it feel more exciting, especially for kids. It's very family friendly and I felt like everything was safe. They provided life jackets and made sure everyone was good before heading out. We'll definitely come back, probably on a warmer day so we can enjoy it even more.

This was such a fun family outing to do. We have a 3-year-old and two year old and they just had…read morethe best time they wanted to go again but we were definitely done after 30 minutes. It's quite a workout pushing those boats especially if it's windy but it's worth it for those smiles on their little faces and the views were really nice it was just a really relaxing experience. The service there is fantastic the gentleman that get you in the boats are so patient and even took a photo for us really nice spot to make special memories. All of the duck boats were gone and my three year old only wanted a duck so they were very patient and got us one as soon as it came in.

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El Estero Boating - Additional charge for card payments.

Additional charge for card payments.

El Estero Boating - Belly rubs & scratches for this GOOD BOYYYY!

Belly rubs & scratches for this GOOD BOYYYY!

El Estero Boating

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El Estero Park - parks - Updated October 2026

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