I visited this park a few months ago with my family. Driving here is pretty simple, with some good elevation. Be sure to bring cash though so you can pay the parking fee ($5.00). After the easy parking, get ready to enjoy the trails! The trails are not at all difficult and relatively easy-going, easy to navigate. You can start anywhere as you'll most likely be going on the main loop. Well shaded so don't need to worry much about sun block, but definitely bring 16-32 ounces of water. There are a couple spots to enjoy scenery. Very kid friendly and recommended for a half day excursion! read more

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Beautiful drive up with vistas looking over the valley and ocean. There is a ranger station and the envelopes were overstuffed in their box. From there, the left is the picnic area and to the right is the parking lot, restrooms and hiking areas. About 5 different trails leave here. Wish there were more markers. There is a map by the restroom that you should take a snapshot of, just in case. It seems like there is a lot of weekend fellow hikers of all ages. read more

Jacks Peak County Park - Clearing at top - Parks Near Me - Monterey, California

Beautiful hiking trails with great views. You are supposed to pay $2 per adult for walk ins and drive ins but it's honor system since you are just supposed to put money in an envelope into a bin. Not the best system since people can just drive in without paying and I didn't see anyone checking once they parked inside. Not a far drive from downtown Monterey. There are a few trails going every which way, I'd recommend taking a good look at the map before starting. We ended up taking a few wrong turns and was unable to do the route we planned. They have 4 way intersections of trails which are insanely confusing to know if you go the correct way. Overall pretty views and well maintained. Easier to navigate a second time around so would come back. read more

Jacks Peak County Park - Parks Near Me - Monterey, California

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Magnificent birdseye views of the city and the bay. The Skyline gives you the best aerial views and is a mile loop with gradual inclines. Most trails are well marked. Pine trail runs along the entrance road and comes up along the woods. Two picnic areas with rest stations. read more

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First time visit to this park even though I'd been to the Monterey peninsula multiple times over the years. This is probably one of the best places for hiking (with some elevation) and for the aerial view of the city and coastline (Skyline trail). We did the Skyline and Pine trails - the former definitely a lot more popular than the latter although on a weekday even the Skyline isn't too crowded but the Pine trail being all the way at the other end of the park is where you can have more solitude. Park entry is free at the moment (per website it'll remain so through June 2022). read more

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It's $2 to park (and support the park) in their parking lot by the peak, but many cars end up parking on the street going up where they don't have to pay. We ended up dropping the dollar bills and parking by the top where there were a multitude of spots still left on a Sunday morning. They have restrooms and garbage bins there too. We did the loops that goes around the peak and were greeted with a wide open trail and views of Monterey and Carmel. We barely came across anyone else, which is great during COVID times. There are a few educational signs along the trail that show major signs of age. Maybe if more people paid the $2 fee they could be updated and replaced? Definitely recommend this park! read more

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We wanted to do a hike and get out and enjoy nature. This is a great area for hiking and enjoying trails. We had a good time. It was dry and warm when went. Be sure to pack some water. read more

We brought our pup here to hike and mutually agreed this park is about 3 1/2 stars out of 5. First off, it's dog friendly, so that's a huge plus to us. However, we saw at least a dozen other dogs and none seemed very well behaved :( We put our dog back on leash after witnessing a near dog fight between two other visitors dogs. I understand this isn't the park's issue, it is a problem with the people visiting, however it dampens the experience. As other reviews have stated, the charge you $2 per person when you enter the park. You can park outside the booth about a mile down and walk in for free and we saw many people walking their dogs outside the actual park. The ranger was very nice and gave us a map to use which came in handy. You can go one of two ways when you enter and to quote the ranger "Right takes you hikes with beautiful views of the bay and left gives you trails with lovely Redwoods." We opted to go right, but so did everyone else it seems :( Also, like many reviewers have stated, the "views" were fairly non-existent. Sure, I can show you a photo with some blue off in the distance that is the Monterey Bay, but the trees obstruct any real view. So, when it got busier, we decided to try the other direction towards those redwoods. We much preferred that side. The Earl Moser Trail was not nearly as steep as many on the coastal side of the park and our favorite part was that there were no people so we were able to enjoy the peace and quiet. Lastly, and most importantly, there is a Regional Park about 20 minutes away with ample free parking and much better trails so I would highly recommend checking out Garland Ranch if you are in this area looking to hike with your dog. We will not be returning to Jack's Peak but if you do choose to come here, it's possible to have a lovely day of hiking so cheers either way and happy hiking! read more

Jacks Peak County Park - Parks Near Me - Monterey, California

Some portions of these trails are pretty steep and can be fun/challenging at times. There are many different trails and you can pretty much choose to go on one or all as they intertwine. However, much of the hike is not that "scenic." Only a small portion has the ocean view, which isn't a big issue but I went here expecting more of that! Overall, there are fun trails that are definitely worth checking out if you haven't been here before! read more

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My husband and I took our two dogs to hike here. We're from out of the area on an anniversary trip. We really loved it! We were charged $2/person and $2/dog. I felt it was worth it. You can see the ocean from many points. And where you can't see the ocean you'll see beautiful trees and other flora/fauna. We did a 10k and the trails were in good shape. If you prefer a casual stroll in the woods, be sure to check the topo map before you start hiking so you can choose a good route. A lot of the trails we used were VERY strenuous (we like that sort of thing). So plan your route before you start hiking. We'll be back again. read more

Jacks Peak County Park - Parks Near Me - Monterey, California

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If you like great views! And mild to moderate hiking. This is the spot for you. You can get views of Monterey, Carmel Valley, all the way to Santa Cruz on a clear day. It's a beautiful park. There are bathrooms at the beginning of each trail head. There are also various routes to take. From 3 miles up to 5 mile hikes. Which all going to loop around jacks Peak up-and-down valleys that's around jacks Peak. There is now a two dollar walk-in fee if you park below the gate.Get out there and enjoying nature! read more

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This is a great place to hike and get a good workout ‍ I took the Iris trail so it was very good. The forest is beautiful and smells like pine and good views of the ocean read more

Jacks Peak County Park - View - Parks Near Me - Monterey, California

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I kept asking...where is the view?? Are we here??? There were 2 benches at the top, from the bench you you can't see anything. You have to walk down to see a view of anything. Maybe with a large group, you can bring food, make it worth your time but just for 2 to go and have a picnic I did not like it. It's also $2 entry just FYI. read more

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Jacks Peak Park has grown on me each time that I've visited. The Skyline Trail is by far the most scenic, with good views over Monterey Bay and Carmel Valley. Highly recommended and a beautiful place to watch and feel the fog come in. Outside of that trail, most of the views are extremely dense ground foliage and trees. It's a pleasant place to hike though and none of the elevation changes are too extensive (though they can be steep in short bursts). The trail system is a bit confusing, but none of the trails are too long so you can usually find your way around to the next trail and there's an online map that's quite good. Most of the trails seem to double as fire roads as well, so they're wide enough to avoid the ubiquitous poison oak. The Earl Moser Trail was notably narrow and not very well-kept, so I'd recommend avoiding that one. A few gripes: It would be nice if they could add a viewpoint or two on the East end of the park since otherwise there's not much to see there. The current procedure to enter relies on ostensibly taking the time to fill out an extensive form while sitting in your car at the entrance to the park. This seems like a bad idea and more than a few people seemed to just ignore the payment process, but it's only $2 a car. And there was plenty of evidence of horses on several trails. Not as spectacular as some of the other places in the area, but close to Monterey and pleasant. read more

We headed over out of curiosity. We read lots of mixed reviews about charging and all sorts of pricing. No one was in the booth when we went, a self service envelope with two signs, one on prices and one where to drop your money. I've attached a picture for you all as I figure it may bring clarity. There were restrooms and a board but no maps or anyone to give any idea of the best route to take or where to go. We took a trail and enjoyed exploring although none of them yielded good views. Cyclists were tearing up and down the trails. The kids loved it and the trail was easy to hike. Lots of poison oak on the trails, so wear long pants. As we left the maps were on the exit side of the booth ‍ seriously guys. Still no one in the booth. read more

Jacks Peak County Park - Parks Near Me - Monterey, California

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This park is very close to Monterey and civilization, but when you're in the park, you'd have no idea... You drive up a long wooded road, through a ranger's gate, and down some more wooded roads to wherever you're going. There is a small fee at the gate, which seems to operate on an honor system most (if not all) of the time. There's often no ranger manning the gate. You fill out a little slip of paper with your information and drop it into a box for the rangers. They didn't charge our card until over a month later, so keep in mind it may take a while before you see any charge hit your account. The park features many areas where you'd think you'd have a scenic view of the coast or of Monterey and other towns down below, but the trees are so tall and thick that you usually can't see anything but forest. That's ok though! It makes the park feel much more remote than it actually is. There are a TON of hiking trails all over the park. Long ones, short ones, and everything in between. There's easy ones and more strenuous ones. Cell reception here is a little more reliable than most hiking areas in California, but still not perfect. Should be decent enough that you at least don't need to do a ton of research before coming here. There are nice picnic areas with tables and some basic bathrooms. The bathrooms aren't unbearable--they're better than the glorified Porto-potties you see at many other parks--but they're not going to wow you with cleanliness either. Overall, a very nice place to spend a day in the wilderness and disconnect from society for a bit--without having to go too far too do it if you live in the area. read more

Looking for a hiking trail in Monterey with ocean views!? Jack's Peak can't be beat. Several trails ranging from beginner to intermediate. Dog friendly. Gates open at 10 a.m and close at 6 p.m. read more

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A sign is needed at the end of the Nature Trail Loop when it ends at Iris Trail. A sign saying IRIS TRAIL is needed at that point. And why are all the parking lot signs pointed via the Iris Trail. It seems you can get back via Uhmus Trail too but no signs point that way. And there are numbers along the nature trail but no maps indicating what the numbers represent. Why are there no maps. We got so lost with the lack of signage and no maps. The virus has nothing to do with having maps available. And be mindful, there is no cell phone reception at Jacks Peak so any on-line maps/assistance is not available either. read more

I love this park but got bad news on today's visit: $2 per person for walk-ins AND $2 per dog PLUS you must show proof of rabies vaccine. The restrooms have been locked and replaced with porta potties and the dog-waste bag dispensers were all empty. How sad that you have to pay more to get less! They don't even collect for walk-in to Pt lobos and definitely not for county parks like garland or Palo Corona. read more

The highest point of Jack's peak is 1,068 feet overlooking Monterey and Carmel. It was a warm day and the fog was rolling into the valleys. The view was simply breathtaking! Jacks Peak offers pleasant, self-guided hiking trails with amazing scenery, coastal oaks, pine trees and fossils from the Miocene epoch at the self-guided tour point of interest #4. I was like, "No way! fossils - reallly??" This got me quite excited! When I saw the exposed shale layers, I just had to stop and pick through some of the rocks. I gave up after about 10 minutes figuring I neither have the proper tools, proper training nor the time to dig through the sediments to get any notable fossils. Monterey pines are beautiful majestic trees. The pine cones are hard, green and conical in shape during the developmental stage but open up and turn into this light chestnut color at the latter stage. The smell of pine is intoxicating. Reminds me of Christmas in winter. Apparently Jack's Peak is affiliated with the Monterey Jack cheese. Originally the cheese was made by Fanciscan monks but during the 19th century, a Californian businessman named David Jack popularized the cheese and sold it commercially. The cheese was then known as "Jack's Cheese" and eventually became "Monterey Jack". Who would have thought that one of my favorite cheeses is associated with this man and this landmark. Parking is $4 on weekdays and $5 on the weekends. The parking lot to the self-guided hiking trails is a short distance drive from the gate entrance. read more

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$5 entrance on weekends Free for seniors on weekdays For free view of Monterey Bay, just park outside before the entrance. I think some people park outside and walk in, but it is a far distance to the Skyline and Jacks Peak trail from outside the park. The 2 trails are moderate hikes, with some steep grade in certain parts but not rocky or slippery. Because there are so many trees on the trail, the vista points were actually limited in size. One is of the Monterey/Pacific Grove area. The other vista point is of Point Lobos area. read more

Beautiful park on a peak that is just outside of downtown Monterey. Very accessible and driving was easy to navigate. Ample space for picnics and scenic views. Traditional beautiful forest hikes. They were out of maps so I took a picture of the main map on the read board. I am decent at reading maps but I don't think the actual trails reflect the read board. There were signs on the trail but still multiple trailheads without them. Everything ultimately led back to the road so I was not concerned about getting lost in a dangerous way, just ended up jumping from one trail to the other. I will definitely be back to explore further! read more

It is not well maintained! Most views are blocked ! If you have nothing better to do and don't want to spend any money, this is ok... read more

The air was really crisp and the whole feel of the forrest was fantastic, howerver some construction/cutting was disturbing and took away from the experience. read more

What a great hike! You have plenty of places to park but need to pay only $2 per person to enter. So worth the hiking trails as well as all the picnic areas. I love all the different scenery and various trails that the park offers. Very great easy access to all the trail heads as well as restrooms on site by the parking at the top. There are various parking areas once you get closer to the top. It's fun to get out and explore your own backyard, here in Monterey! Being a local I was so blown away by all the incredible sites from a birds eye view! Happy Hiking! read more

Jacks Peak County Park - Great views of the ocean - Parks Near Me - Monterey, California

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What's not to like about Jacks Peak Park? Friendly rangers, safe and beautiful! There are plenty of trails to choose from. If you run into one of the rangers they are more than happy to help you find a trail that can suit your needs. On a nice and clear day you can see the whole Monterey Bay! You'll encounter bird watchers, families and athletes here and everyone is courteous of each other. Note that it does cost to park but you could always get in some extra exercise and park a bit down the hill and walk in. read more

I found this place by accident. I couldn't believe it was up here. As you are climbing up up up, you come to this amazing overlook of Monterey Bay. It's really quite breath taking. As you keep going up, you will reach a guard shack where there is sometimes a guard and sometimes there's not. The hiking trails up here are so beautiful and breathtaking. That's the only way I can describe it. But, there is hardly anyone up here so sometimes it is a little unnerving if you are by yourself. You will want to bring a hiking buddy or a big dog. This place is not crawling with people like Point Lobos. Very peaceful up here and is best around 10am. read more

A pretty pine forest up on a hill with a number of trails, picnic, BBQ and bathroom facilities. Some great views of Monterey Bay. Not that many people there, even on a sunny Sunday. And that is a problem, not enough usage and thus revenue to keep places like this open and nice. A zip line was proposed, but it was shot down. Lots of people park down the road and walk in to save $4. Hardly any poop on the trails. Horse poop is ok by me while dog poop is terrible. Views need to be opened up with some tree trimming. You hike out to a "point" and clearly at one time there was a view, but no more. Benches with a view to nowhere in some places. In the absence of fires, hire some goats or something. Or octomom so we don't have to see her star in a porno. I think a few open viewpoints along the trails would attract more people and could be spectacular on even rainy and stormy days. As it is, the best views are on the access road and that is not a good thing. The maps are terrible and the signage on the trails is in many cases lacking and in some cases simply confusing. Still, pretty nice and a respite from Cannery Row and a different sort of experience than the coast for visitors, and a good place for a contemplative hike/walk for us more local types. A friend who lives in the area told me he saw a lion kill a deer on a park trail, and years ago there was evidently a bear up there. I saw some birds and a squirrel. read more

Great spot in Monterey for a few trails if you don't have the time to get to Big Sur/ you just want a nice local low-mid intensity hike. We started with Jack's Peak trail and were disappointed to finish in minutes (.6 miles)... So we decide to do all other trails to get our hike's worth. Did all but Earl Moser. Wow, felt like we got pretty far inland, experienced a number of pretty good little hills, more lengthy than we expected. Big tip: snap a picture of the map for reference. They were out of map handouts and signage on the trail was a bit spotty (and you can't count on cellular service). Also, few ocean views so come for inland quiet. read more

This is a gorgeous place for a nice hike with your family! I was in the mood for another hike and we felt like going to Monterey today so off we went to Jacks Peak. This park is not too far away from downtown Monterey and the Wharf. Once you arrive, you pay the $4 entrance fee ($3 during the week). There is plenty of parking and a nice area for picnicing and a clean restroom to use. There are about 3 different directions you can take for hiking. The hikes here are not very strenuous and quite short. Most trails are no longer then a mile. It's the perfect location to hike with with young kids or maybe a place to take your Grandparents for a nice stroll. The views are gorgeous here as well. You can see most all of Monterey Bay from some points. Be sure to take a map with you though, we got lost twice! I'll be back but probably won't make the long trek from San Jose to here just for the hike alone. Its very short and we were able to cover most of the trails within about an hour and a half. Also, this park is only open from 11am to 6:30pm so if you are an early riser, this might not be the right place for you...or at least come later. read more

Undoubtedly the ideal place in monterey bay for a hike. There's a parking fee so don't forget about that when you decide to come and visit. There's plenty of parking and picnic tables to choose from and if you decide to take a hike, there is a map you can reference from to choose which trailhead you wish to take part in. The trails also offer a great view of the monterey bay area. read more

Great Views of Monterey Bay from Moss Landing to Carmel. The skyline trail gives all the best views. One side of the park allows drinking but no bbq's. The other side allowd bbq's but no drinking. A bunch of good spots to hang up a hammock. Not crowded on the weekend and real peaceful. Great spot to bring kids for a few short hikes. (1 to 2.5) miles. read more

I'd enjoy Jacks Peak more had I a horse, which I do not as my mate is terrified of their bulbous eyes and spindly yet terrifyingly powerful legs. Really, though, every few feet is a horse-pie landmine. The views of the ocean peeking through the trees are jaw-dropping, no doubt, but I prefer a coastline trot to a dirt-and-dung paved trail. read more

Jack's Peak has stunning views of the Monterey coastline! Lots of trails. Clean bathrooms and beautiful scenery. read more

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Nice beautiful views of the Monterey Peninsula. With trails rounding about in less than a mile, this is a sure place for the family. Definitely making this a weekend tradition. read more

Jacks Peak County Park - Parks Near Me - Monterey, California

When you look at the fee schedule document on their website, it shows that day use vehicle entry fee for this park is $5 per vehicle. The fee schedule also shows Active Duty Military Discount of $5 off per vehicle making this park entry free for military. When I first went to this park, I was not aware of this and asked if they offered a military discount. The person working at the gate said the entrance fee for military was $3 so I paid that amount. I found about the $5 off military discount later that day and sent an e-mail to County of Monterey. A person at the County of Monterey Resource Management Agency responded "I would like to apologize on behalf of the staff at Jacks Peak Park. The correct fee for Jacks Peak Park is $5 per vehicle. When providing proof of military ID you would be given a $5 discount which then makes the entrance fee $0 to enter the park. I have notified the supervising staff for Jacks Peak Park regarding this issue. If you could please send me a mailing address or if you are local to Salinas if you would like to come to our office we would like to send/give you some complementary day use passes." I went back to this park a few months later and Richard (not the same person) working at the gate said it was $3 for military. I showed him the e-mail that I received from the County telling me that admission was free for military but he didn't want to look at it. He said he's just a volunteer and he's been told to charge $3 for military and it's been always that way at Jacks Peak Park. They need to make up their minds regarding admission fee for military. As for the park itself, it's just OK. No views along the way except one spot and the view at the spot is obscured by trees. Beware of poison ivy on the trails. read more

Nice hike with views. Easy path. Up and down so not too strenuous. Clean restroom at the parking lot. Only negative is, there were no maps. read more

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Smaller park across the street from the airport that boasts a view of Carmel by the Sea. While the park wasn't crowded, its small with several short and connected trails. We made a 3 miler out of it and it was ok. We noticed at least 3 or four groups of walkers out with dogs taking them off the leash, not a huge deal besides the fact that on our way out a dog almost bolted right underneath our vehicle and scared the crap out of me. Of course we got the death stare from the owner... which isn't worth engaging at that point. No rangers to be seen 'on patrol'. Other than that, pretty place. If it wasn't for the $5 entry, would probably go back. read more

This park is great for a walk in the afternoon after a long day. If you don't want to pay the entry fee you can park halfway up the entry way drive and walk into the park and do the loop I feel it is a little over 3.5 Miles, though I have never GPSed the actual distance. There are some great over views of beautiful monterey along the loop. read more

This is my preferred park for taking our dog on trail walks. For location, views, and cost, it's a decent choice for an afternoon excursion! Pros: 1. It's only 5 minutes from Monterey, CA and extremely easy to find. 2. The trails are wide and clean. Views range from the ocean in Carmel, looking down on Monterey Bay and the city of Monterey, and facing the mountains toward the east. 3. Paved parking lot and $5 parking fee. Well maintained restrooms and picnic tables. 4. Elevation changes are very manageable for children and senior citizens. Cons: 1. Compared to other parks in the Monterey/Big Sur area, this park is very 'bland'. Don't expect anything breathtaking. read more