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Marina

Marina History

   The coastal city of Marina once had a large military presence, due to its close proximity to Fort Ord. Today the city is a family-friendly community that's known for its sand dunes and recreational opportunities.
   In the late 19th-century, the area just north of the Monterey Peninsula was used for faming and ranching. By the the early 1900s, a town had developed in the region. Its name changed frequently -- from Bardin to Locke-Paddon Colonies to Paddonville -- but in 1918, developer William Locke-Paddon selected the modern-day name: Marina.
   Locke-Paddon promoted the town as a whistle-stop for passengers on the Southern Pacific Railroad. The city grew slowly, with the biggest boost in the post-war 1950s. Marina was formally incorporated in 1975 and is now considered "The Gateway to the Monterey Peninsula."
   In 1917, Gigling Reservation opened just south of Marina. This cavalry post grew into a large military facility that became a major training post during World War II. Renamed Fort Ord, the facility was once home to 25,000 soldiers and civilian workers. It closed in 1994, and part of the base is now home to the campus of California State University, Monterey Bay. The rest of the land will be developed as a state park (Fort Ord Dunes State Park) and as a site for affordable housing.

Activities

   Marina State Beach is a popular place for hang-gliding, kite-flying and fishing. Although surfing is allowed at the park, the waters are too rough for swimming or wading.
   Marina is a great spot for whale-watching, whether from shore or on a charted boat. Fishing and birdwatching are also popular activities.
   The Sculpture Habitat at the Marina Airport features original sculptures by local and national artists.
   And a new skate park has opened, allowing skateboarding and rollerblading in an organized environment. Softball and baseball leagues are also available in the city's parks.

Marina Fast Facts

   Location: Marina is located on Monterey Bay, about 64 miles south of San Jose
  *Total area: 9.60 square miles (8.75 square miles land area; 0.85 square miles water area)
  *Population: 25,101
  *Housing units: 8,537
   Average annual rainfall: 20.35 inches
   Average temperatures: 62ºF in summer, 51ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are seven public schools in Marina: four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and a K-12 leadership magnet school.
   California State University, Monterey Bay is located just south of the city.

Beaches

   After the closure of Fort Ord, the land was set aside for future development. Fort Ord Dunes State Park contains 886 acres with four miles of beachfront that one day will open to the public.
   Until then, residents and tourists can visit Marina State Beach, which has 170 acres of protected dunes. The water is too rough for swimming, but the beach offers plenty of sand for sunning, running and beachcombing.

Maps of Marina

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