Manzanita Park

If you and your fur baby are in the Castroville area of California, don't miss out on taking your pal for a hike in the Manzanita County Park. It's a pup-tastic way for both of you to get some exercise. The park trail is a wide and well-trodden dirt path which runs around the parklands in a loop for just over three miles. The park has a parking lot which can be accessed via Castroville Boulevard. Once you've got your fur buddy on their leash, it is just a short walk from the lot onto the trail. It doesn't matter which direction you take; if you do the full circuit, you'll end up back where you started. There are no facilities such as bag dispensers or water fountains on the trail, so don't forget to carry some with you.

While this park is close to the town,and  has various sportsfields and a BMX track, the trail is not an urban walk. You and your pup will be out in the countryside. The Manzanita County Park Trail is a wide sandy path bordered by low bushes and shrubs which bloom with beautiful flowers in spring and summer. The sand is deep and soft in places which can make it heavy going for humans but is great for their four-legged friends. Horses love it too and you may meet some riders on the trail. They have the right of way, so move aside and let them pass.

This trail is not overly exposed to the elements, and there are some good shady sections where there are trees on either side. You and your pup will come across a few moderate inclines, but they're not too testing, and you should be able to manage them easily enough. On the parts of the trail which do have a higher elevation, the mountain scenery is pawsome. Have a puptastic hike!