city parks
Laguna Grande Regional Park
This 34-acre park bordering the cities of Seaside and Monterey surrounds a freshwater marsh and lake and includes picnic areas with barbecue pits, bicycling, pedestrian pathways and a children’s playground. The city of Seaside hosts a music series here every summer. Off Canyon Del Rey, Seaside, 899-6825.
Lake El Estero Park
The splashy Dennis the Menace playground, a colorful children’s mecca with a real steam engine and a climbing wall, is just the beginning of the fun at this 25-acre city park surrounding a central lake. Paddle-wheel boat rentals, fishing, duck-watching, barbecuing and skateboarding (or just gawking at the skateboarders) round out the entertainment. Camino El Estero between Del Monte and Fremont, Monterey, 646-3866.
