Easter is the busiest day of the year for County of Monterey day-use parks which include Toro, Royal
Oaks and San Lorenzo Parks. Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, will likely be no different. While we
look forward to providing a wonderful experience for our residents and visitors, we would like to remind
park users about some of the rules and regulations that help the County of Monterey keep parks the
amazing places they are to visit, recreate and create lasting memories.
• Day-use parks will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Park rangers and staff will make multiple
announcements about park closing times. Cars remaining in parking lots and the park past the
closing time will be cited, please plan your activities accordingly.
• Please practice good stewardship of our parks, pick up your trash, pack it in and pack it out.
• Confetti eggs (cascarónes) will not be allowed in the parks. Use of confetti eggs is considered
littering under Monterey County Code 14.12.050, and individuals will be issued a citation.
Confetti eggs are the largest litter issue at the parks on Easter, and while they can be entertaining,
they create hazards for wildlife. The eggs, some of which are filled with metallic and plastic
confetti can be a hazard to wildlife such as birds and squirrels should they ingest the confetti.
Please help keep the parks clean and wildlife safe by leaving confetti eggs at home.
• Parking will be limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Once parking capacity is reached,
entrance will be limited to foot traffic only. Drivers will not be allowed in the park to drop off
people or supplies. If park visitors intend to use public streets and rights-of-way for parking, they
must abide by local parking regulations, stay out of the lane of travel, and only cross streets when
it is safe to do so. California Highway Patrol and County of Monterey Sheriff, often patrol
outside of the parks and can issue citations if the public is parking illegally or in an unsafe manner
alongside the road.
• Often at San Lorenzo Park, staff are able to move picnic tables from the DeAnza reservation area
to other areas in the park for guests to enjoy; however, this cannot be guaranteed, and guests are
encouraged to bring their own tables and chairs for their activities.
• No driving of vehicles on the grass areas, even for a short period of time to drop off supplies. No
parking in red zones within parking lots, these areas are for emergency personnel. Only park in
designated spaces.
• Bounce houses and jumpers are only allowed within a reserved picnic site and with a valid permit.
Generators must be whisper quiet.
• Alcohol is only permitted in a reserved picnic site with an approved permit and certificate of
insurance. In addition, a security guard is required for reservations with 30 people or more in
attendance. Beer and wine only, hard alcohol/liquor is not permitted in County of Monterey parks
except for Laguna Seca, Lakes San Antonio and Nacimiento.
• No smoking or vaping of tobacco in County of Monterey parks except for Laguna Seca, Lakes
San Antonio and Nacimiento. Cannabis use is prohibited in all County of Monterey parks.
• Drone use is prohibited within County of Monterey parks. Unless prior approval is granted by the
Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks. Photography by a professional/commercial
photographer requires a photography permit, even if the photographer is not charging the client.
• Water balloons are not allowed in the County of Monterey parks for the same reason that confetti
eggs are not allowed. Broken water balloons are considered litter and will impact wildlife if
ingested.
• No fireworks or firearms in the County of Monterey parks.
• Amplified music is allowed but the noise level cannot negatively impact other park users. Sound
generation must comply with the County of Monterey noise ordinance which can be no more than
50dBA measured at 50 feet away. If the music is impacting other park users, park rangers or staff
may require that the volume be lowered, or the activity ceased. Live bands, either amplified or
acoustic, are not allowed.
• Tents and canopies must be under 400 square feet (20’ x 20’) or they will require a building
permit through the County of Monterey Department of Housing and Community Development.
Multiple small tents or canopies may be tied together but cannot be over a total of 400 square
feet. No cooking or electrical may be used under a tent or canopy without a valid building permit.
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