As a "green oasis" adjacent to the Salinas River in King City, this large county park attracts a wide variety of resident and migrant birds. There is extensive lawns with robins and bluebirds, copses of exotic trees and planted confers, and extensive trail system with the floodplain of the Salinas River. A hiking trail along the berm that separates the lawn area and the floodplain provides an excellent opportunity to to bird along the gradient between the wild and manicured habitats. 

Among the residents are Cooper's Hawk, California Thrasher (quite common along the trails in the Salinas River flood plain, as is Wrentit), White-breasted Nuthatch and Oak Titmouse, and Purple Finch. It can be good for overhead raptors, including both Golden Eagle and the rarer Bald Eagle. In the summer, watch for the scarce Black-chinned Hummingbird among the very common Anna's Hummingbird, and an occasional Yellow-breasted Chat may occur. In fall through spring, Phainopepla is an off-and-on occurrence. Watch or listen for Pine Siskin in the tall trees. In winter, Red-breasted Sapsucker may be in the trees and conifers scattered about the extensive lawn areas, and both Red-naped and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker have occurred as vagrants. During fall and spring migration periods, a wide variety of warblers, tanagers, and sparrows have been located.

San Lorenzo County Park is a multi-use park featuring picnic tables and extensive lawn, a 90-space campground, an Agricularual and Rural Life museum, historic buildings moved to this location, and facilities to accomodate large events. It can often be filled with people on summer weekends, but can be very quiet during winter. Its hours vary by the season, but when the campground is open, the road is open 24 hours a day. There is an entry kiosk that is operated during prime seasons, with an entrance fee ($6-$10 at times). However, if birding early in the morning or off-season, no one seems collects fees. This policy is subject to change, as fees were routinely charged in the past.

The weather can be very hot in summer, reaching 100 degrees F, and quite cold and dreary in rainy winters. Spring and fall are typically better weather-wise, and early morning is often the best. King City is well known for strong winds year-round; a typical day will be calm early but the winds have picked up by noon.