Located between Monterey and Santa Cruz, Marina is a small city on California’s Central Coast. It’s home to part of the California State University, Monterey Bay campus and the historic grounds of Fort Ord, which includes a veterinary hospital that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to do in Marina
You can swim, walk or fly kites at Marina State Beach, a windswept stretch of sand that extends the length of the city. Surfers can test their skills on the reliable waves while paragliders and hand gliders can take advantage of the favourable conditions. A boardwalk leads through the adjacent Marina Dunes Natural Preserve, with interpretive signs detailing its resident wildlife.
To the south lies Fort Ord Dunes State Park, which occupies the site of a former military firing range. It’s now a popular setting for hiking, horseback riding and cycling, with several trails to explore, a coastal boardwalk and exhibits about the fort’s history. While visiting the park, keep your eyes peeled for threatened California tiger salamanders and Contra Costa goldfields, an endangered local wildflower.
One of the most interesting ways to explore the coast is while riding a handcar, with both your arms and legs used to propel the rail vehicle. From the centre of Marina, you can travel south to Fort Ord Dunes State Park along a section of railway that dates from 1879. After a steady hill climb, you will be rewarded with sweeping views across Monterey Bay.
Getting around Marina
Marina is a 15-minute drive from Monterey and 40 minutes from Santa Cruz. San Jose International Airport is just over an hour away and has flights to destinations across North America. Buses connect to Marina from towns and cities along the California coastline and travel throughout the city itself.