Toro Regional Park-
Meyers Loop Trail
📍One of our favorite “go-to” hikes is Meyers Loop, in Toro Regional Park. “Toro Park” is located between the cities of Salinas and Monterey, off Hwy 68. The parks natural setting, 4,750 acres and 20+ miles of hiking and biking trails make make it a perfect location for outdoor activities.
The park has many amenities including parking areas, sports areas, playgrounds, BBQ areas and restroom facilities. Entry into the park is free (currently). Park hours are generally 8AM - half an hour after sunset. This is a safe park to recreate with all ages and is pet friendly. Visit The County of Monterey’s website for more specific information about Toro Park.
⛰The Meyers Loop Trail described below is about a 5.75 mile loop trail on good walking surfaces, paved road, dirt road and single track trails. This trail gains about 600’ of elevation, so it’s not too hard. The Meyers Loop Trail allows for many options to access or divert from the trail onto other trails. If you’re not familiar with this trail the Toro Park Trail Map or another navigational device is recommended. This trail is generally rated as a “Green-ish Blue” or moderate hike. It is well travelled so you’ll likely see others using the trail, including mountain bikers so be alert and hike with caution. It will take about 2 - 2.5 hours to complete.
🥾 We usually begin the Meyers Loop hike at the entrance to the park. We start along Ollasen Road, the main park road, to the EV Center. It’s a good warm up with a fairly steep climb on a paved road just before the EV Center. Once at the EV Center restrooms, walk past the RV sites and follow the dirt road. Continue past the white cattle gate to the green metal gate and you’lll see the sign for Meyers Loop.
At this point you’ll begin to notice Toro Parks “natural setting”. Hike the single track trail to the right, along the barbed wire fence. Keep an eye out for seasonal flowers such as California Poppies, Larkspur, Baby Blue Eyes, Toyon, Lupine and others. Also, be cautious for poison oak. You may also get a glimpse of some of the wildlife that live in the park, wild turkeys, quail, bobcats, wild pigs, coyotes and maybe even a peak at a mountain lion. There also may be domestic animals, cattle, grazing along the trail.
Follow the single track trail as it twisted and turns through the hillside giving glimpses of the Salinas Valley and the surrounding mountains of Toro Park. The single track trail will eventually wind around down hill towards the creek where you’ll meet up with Ollasen Trail (a dirt road) again. Look for the Meyers Loop sign post and head left, down hill back towards the green metal gate. Take in the scenery and enjoy the many people recreating along the trail, as this can be a bust trail, especially on weekends.
As you pass the green metal gate, you’ll come upon the white cattle gate again. The trail heads through the fence to the left and follows the seasonal creek down the canyon. Enjoy the rolling single track trail as you stroll through the dry creek bed, under the oaks and listen for the creepy squeak of the old windmill. Take this trail back towards the center of the park where you’ll likely find the smell of BBQ’s, hear kids playing and music in the park. You can walk out towards Ollasen Road and take it back to your start or follow the paths around the park to see more sights before finishing your hike.
☕️🥐/🍔🍺 you finish early enough and are craving a coffee and pastry head west on Hwy 68 about 2 miles to Castle Rock Cafe & Mercantile, a coffee and gift shop serving local coffees, pastries and goods. If you’d like something more substantial, next door is the Toro Place Cafe, This old school diner serves breakfast and lunch daily and has been voted the Best Breakfast in Monterey County and the Best Waffles Ever! Their Biscuits & Gravy, Huevos Rancheros and Chile Verde Omelette are favorites. If you finish up a little later in the afternoon or evening, directly across Hwy 68 from the park, is Angelinas Pizzeria, a family owned pizzeria that is a locals favorite. Stop in and grab a cold post-hike beer or glass of wine at the bar and try their good Italian food while enjoying the atmosphere. Bring the family! It’s what Angelinas is all about, Family!
Toro Park really does have a lot to offer and the park comes alive in the Spring before the Summer heat dries out the vegetation. It’s a great place to hike for locals and as stated above, Meyers Loop is one of our favorite “go-to” hikes in the park. I hope you get a chance to enjoy it.
For more “Dirt” on our Trails, follow the link to “Hike 2 of 52 - Palo Corona Regional Park”, near the Mouth of Carmel Valley.
