Located along Highway 1 on California’s Central Coast just 9 miles north of Monterey, Marina is a centrally located city with a rich military history. For most of the 20th century, it was home to Fort Ord, which trained over 1.5 million soldiers from the beginning of World War I to its closing in 1994. Since the base closed, it’s been a commuter town for the Carmel and Monterey workforce. “My grandfather was in the military, so like a lot of people, that’s how my family ended up in Marina,” says Lori Clark of Monterey Peninsula Properties, who has nearly two decades of experience in the area. “But since the base closed, a lot of people have just settled here because it’s a nice place to raise a family and you are so close to Monterey, Salinas and San Jose just a short drive away.” The area is growing, with new subdivisions and retail stores, plus an urban improvement plan. Today, most of the old base has been turned into Fort Ord Dunes State Park, a 1,000-acre recreation destination popular with Marina’s 23,000 residents.
Start your Marina adventure with a warm welcome and coastal charm.
Relaxed coastal vibes and scenic views in Marina.
Enjoy the serene surroundings at Marina State Beach in Marina.
Explore Santa Cruz’s boardwalk and amusements, only 8 miles from Marina.
1/4
Homes with ocean views
As of December 2024, the median price for a single-family home in Marina was $879,000. Newly constructed homes with views of the ocean are quickly popping up, keeping home prices higher in Marina compared to Seaside and other surrounding communities, says Susan Bianchi of Above and Beyond Real Estate, who has 25 years of experience in the area. These homes tend to sit at a high elevation in subdivisions inland enough for large lots. Outside of that, single-family homes are on close-together lots with small yards. “There are also plenty of condos and a couple of manufactured home parks that have much lower entry prices,” says Bianchi.
Row of new Craftsman-style houses in Marina.
The Dunes by Shea Homes, beautiful new builds in Marina, California.
Classic Mediterranean design meets coastal living in Marina.
Charming single-family homes in Marina offer coastal living at its finest.
Find your perfect home at the Sea Haven in Marina.
1/5
Playing at Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Marina’s bayside location means it’s easy to access outdoor recreation. “We’re right on the water, so we have the beaches, but we also have some great hiking,” says Clark. Fort Ord Dunes State Park has 1,000 acres of public land, including 4 miles of shoreline and 4 miles of territory for hiking and biking. Locals head to the 170-acre Marina State Beach for kite flying or surfing; the beach’s intense winds have made it a popular destination for hang gliding. Marina is also home to a handful of local green spaces, skate parks and sports complexes, including Toro Park, which has over 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. A few major community events are held every year, including a large Labor Day party with a parade, carnival rides and food from local vendors. There’s a Halloween Fright Night for kids and an annual Holiday Tree Lighting each December.
Enjoy four miles of peaceful shoreline at Fort Ord Dunes in Marina.
Fort Ord Dunes State Park offers 1,000 scenic acres in Marina.
Explore 20 miles of scenic trails at Toro Park near Marina.
Your dogs will love the playground at Dog Run Ord in Marina.
1/4
Shopping at The Dunes on Monterey Bay-Retail Center
After Ford Ord closed, Marina was mostly a residential area for commuters, but new shopping and dining options have come to the city in recent years. “They just opened up a Trader Joe’s, and there are a lot of cute places to eat along Reservation Road,” says Clark. “There have been a of things opening lately so people don’t have to drive to Monterey for a night out anymore.” The Dunes on Monterey Bay-Retail Center is a shopping mall with classic big box chain stores and a movie theatre, while Marina Square Shopping Center is home to locally owned restaurants. For more restaurants and stores, dozens of dining establishments are located just 9 miles down the road in Monterey.
The Dunes on Monterey Bay houses major retailers like Ross Store and Michaels.
Target in Marina offers a wide selection of everyday essentials.
The Dunes on Monterey Bay in Marina offers diverse shopping and dining options.
Marina Village Restaurant is a popular spot for breakfast and brunch in Marina.
1/4
Cal State University at Monterey Bay
Kids attend the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, which has a B-plus Niche rating. The district includes 20 different schools and serves 9,200 students. California State University at Monterey Bay is located on the town’s southern end. The campus of nearly 7,000 students opened in 1994 and offers over 30 different degree paths.
CSUMB is a top ranked University in Marina.
Marina High School is the No. 5 best public high school in the Monterey County.
California State University Monterey Bay is a public university in Monterey County in Marina.
Cardinale Stadium regularly hosts soccer matches for hundreds of local fans in Marina.
1/4
Marina City Capital Improvement Program
The city of Marina is investing in the city’s infrastructure and beautification. Improvements include widening major roads, adding plants and hardscapes to the streets downtown and improving parks.
Crime and transportation
The weather in Marina is mild; temperatures stay between 60 and 70 degrees for most of the year. The town’s coastal location means it can get windy. “I always associate Marina with wind, and it is worse the further north you go,” says Bianchi. “A lot of homes have glass wind screens for their patios.”
Violent crime in Marina has seen a slight uptick since 2020, however, the violent crime rate is still lower than the state and national average. Property crime has decreased every year since 2022 but is still slightly higher than the California average. Marina’s location along Highway 1 makes it an easy 9-mile drive to Monterey and the Monterey Regional Airport. Locals can take the 1 to Route 101 and drive 60 miles north to San Jose or 10 miles east to Salinas. Locals can take the Marina Transit Exchange buses to Salinas, Monterey, Sand City and other nearby municipalities. There are no major hospitals in Marina, but three health care centers are within 10 miles.
Ben Strock stands as a decorated figure in the realm of real estate, renowned for his multiple international accolades in real estate video production. He leads a prominent team, ranked #51 nationally and #21 in California by esteemed publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Real Trends, and Tom Ferry International. As an exclusive Zillow and Elite HomeLight Partner, Ben has etched his mark as a distinguished professional, recognized as the Best of the Best in our local community paper, and an impressive 200+ five-star Google reviews. However, Ben's journey to this pinnacle of success wasn't a swift ascent, but rather a deliberate and visionary trajectory.
Diverging from convention has always been Ben's trademark. His commitment to creativity and passion has been the core in crafting the Strock Team into an inspirational powerhouse. What sets Ben and the Strock Team apart is their unwavering dedication to delivering the absolute best in the market, coupled with fostering a magnetic culture. Ben's leadership extends beyond achievement metrics; it's about cultivating greatness within his team. Ben fosters an environment where continuous learning and growth, the secret sauce behind his team's success, are intrinsic. He actively supports individual growth, cultivating a culture that drives ongoing excellence within his team's continuous development.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
