Marina

Marina is a coastal city on Monterey Bay in the Central Coast region of the Pacific Midwest. To the east of the city center is Marina Munical Airport, and State Road No. 1 passes. Major attractions include the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge and Salinas River State Beach. Every year, the Festival of the Winds, the Marina Air Fire, and the Marina Labor Day Parade are held.

• 🌍 Marina Dune Natural Preserve, Reservation Rd (take the Reservation Road exit (west), turn right at Dunes Drive). These seaside sand dunes were purchased by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District in 1988 and have been restored after years of damage from sand mining and vehicle traffic. Today the dunes are returning to their natural state and offer opportunities for recreation, including many hang gliders and kite flyers who take advantage of the ocean winds at Marina State Beach. Note that water activities can be hazardous due to rip currents, and dogs are not allowed. (updated Nov 2015)

• 🌍 Fort Ord National Monument, ☏ +1 831 582-2200. From 1917 until 1994 this area was a military base that was used by as many as 1.5 million soldiers. After the base was closed it became a national monument via Presidential proclamation in 2012. The park is a 14,658 acre natural area with over 86 miles of trails for hiking, biking, or horseback riding. The park does not include any coastal lands, but landscapes include grasslands, streams, maritime chaparral, oak woodlands and seasonal pools. Wildlife in the monument includes badgers, mountain lions, black-tailed deer, bobcats, coyotes, gopher snakes, red tailed hawks, Canada geese, coast horned lizards, California quail, golden eagles and turkeys. (updated Apr 2016)
• 🌍 Locke-Paddon Wetland Community Park (just off Reservation Road (from Highway 1), adjacent to the Marina Library). sunrise-sunset. Named after the town's founder, this 12-acre unit of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District protects one of the six vernal ("seaonsal") ponds located in the city limits. Activities at the park include hiking, birdwatching (mostly ducks), a small playground, and picnic tables. Free. (updated Nov 2015)

• 🌍 LOCAL. Eats. Merch. Vibes., 215 Reservation Road, Ste N, ☏ +1 831-322-0693. (updated Nov 2021)
• Keoki's Hawaiian Barbecue, 3170 Vista Del Camino, Ste H, ☏ +1 831 809-8644. (updated Nov 2021)

• English Ales Brewery, 223 Reindollar Ave Ste A, ☏ +1 831 883-3000. W-Sa Noon-11PM, Su-T Noon-10PM. Serves traditional English-style ales. Happy hour 4-7PM. (updated Jan 2022)

• 🌍 Best Western Beach Dunes Inn, 3290 Dunes Rd, ☏ +1 831 883-0300, fax: +1 831 384-8137. $75+. (updated Nov 2015)
• 🌍 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 189 Seaside Ave, ☏ +1 831 884-2500. (updated Nov 2015)
• 🌍 Motel 6 Monterey - Marina, 100 Reservation Rd, ☏ +1 831 384-1000, fax: +1 831 384-0314. $60+. (updated Nov 2015)

Though Fort Ord is available for public recreation nowadays, there are still a few sections that are fenced off due to unexploded ordnance that has not been cleared. These areas will be well marked with signage and fences, do not try and venture into them.

• Moss Landing - Ten miles north of Marina, this tiny town is often overlooked but offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities at Elkhorn Slough, one of the largest saltwater estuaries in California and a great place to spot sea otters. The harbor is also the departure point for several whale watching companies. Amenities for travelers are limited, although there are several restaurants in the harbor area.
• Seaside - Seven miles south of Marina, Seaside is most often visited by those looking for lodging or restaurants close to the town of Monterey. However, the town does have a few attractions of its own, including the Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses, part of the former Fort Ord military base, which hosted the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship. The town is also home to Sand City, an artist community located within the city limits that hosts an arts festival each August.