Marina, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
City of Marina
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City of Marina welcome sign
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Location in Monterey County and the state of California
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 Marina, California
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Monterey |
| Incorporated | November 13, 1975 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.81 sq mi (25.4 km2) |
| • Land | 8.91 sq mi (23.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0.90 sq mi (2.3 km2) 9.19% |
| Elevation | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22,359 |
| • Density | 2,510.0/sq mi (969.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
93933
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| Area code | 831 |
| FIPS code | 06-45778 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1659061, 2411035 |
Marina is a city located in Monterey County, California, United States. It sits along the beautiful central coast of California. In 2020, about 22,359 people lived here. Marina is about 8 miles (13 km) west of Salinas and 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Monterey. You can find it right on California State Route 1, a famous highway.
Marina became an official city in 1975, making it the newest city in the Monterey area. It's home to parts of the California State University, Monterey Bay campus. It also hosts the UC Santa Cruz UC MBEST center and the Veterans Transition Center (VTC). In 2012, Marina was recognized as one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People." This award came from America's Promise Alliance. A historic building, the Fort Ord Station Veterinary Hospital, is also in Marina. It was built in 1941 to care for U.S. Army horses. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
Contents
History of Marina
How Marina Began
A person named William Locke-Paddon started the town of Marina. He bought 1,500 acres (6.1 km²) of land just for this purpose. The first post office in Marina opened in 1916. The city officially became incorporated in 1975.
Marina and Fort Ord
Marina's history is closely connected to Fort Ord. Fort Ord was a large U.S. Army base. It was used as a training center for soldiers since the Mexican–American War. The base grew a lot in 1938. Big joint Army and Navy training exercises happened there in 1940.
Fort Ord was chosen to close down in 1991. The base officially closed in 1994 after troops moved to other places. In July 1994, the California State University, Monterey Bay opened its doors. Old army barracks were turned into dorms for students.
Protecting Natural Lands
When Fort Ord closed, some of its undeveloped natural areas became public land. The Bureau of Land Management now takes care of these lands. There are 86 miles (138 km) of trails for people to explore. You can walk, bike, or ride horses there. In 2012, President Barack Obama made 14,000 acres (57 km²) of the former base a national monument. This means it's a special protected area.
Ending Sand Mining
For a long time, a company called Cemex mined sand along Marina's coastline. This worried environmental groups and scientists. They said the mining was making beaches narrower. It was also harming important natural habitats. In 2016, the California Coastal Commission ordered Cemex to stop. A deal was made in 2017, and Cemex stopped mining in December 2020.
Geography and Nature
Marina's Unique Coastline
Marina has a special coastline. Unlike many other California coastal cities, it remains undeveloped. This helps protect rare species of butterflies, buckwheat plants, and sea lettuce. The city is also planning how to deal with climate change. This includes preparing for sea level rise by using a method called "managed retreat." Marina is seen as a good example for other coastal cities.
Population and Community
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 3,310 | — | |
| 1970 | 8,343 | 152.1% | |
| 1980 | 20,647 | 147.5% | |
| 1990 | 26,436 | 28.0% | |
| 2000 | 25,101 | −5.0% | |
| 2010 | 19,718 | −21.4% | |
| 2020 | 22,359 | 13.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Marina?
In 2010, Marina had a population of 19,718 people. By 2020, this number grew to 22,359. The city is home to a diverse group of people. Many different backgrounds and cultures make up the community.
Military Influence
The military has always been a big part of life in Marina. This is because it's right next to the former Fort Ord army base. Many people who used to be in the military, or are retired from it, live in Marina. Groups like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars are very active. The Veterans Transition Center helps place U.S. and state flags. You can see these flags along Del Monte Blvd. and Reservation Road during holidays. This creates a beautiful "avenue of flags."
Fun Things to Do
Community Events
Marina hosts several fun community events. The Labor Day Parade & Family Festival happens the Saturday before Labor Day. It celebrates the town's important military history.
The annual Otter Fest takes place in August. It welcomes students and staff back to CSU, Monterey Bay. This festival started in 2010. It's named after the university's otter mascot.
Earth Day is celebrated in April. It's a community work party to help maintain and improve Locke-Paddon Park. Citizens for Sustainable Marina helps plan this event.
Beaches and Parks
Marina State Beach
Marina State Beach Marina State Beach is a windy beach area. It's located between State Route 1 and Monterey Bay. This beach is great for water sports. It's also a popular spot for hang gliding and paragliding. There's a boardwalk that goes through the Marina Dunes Natural Preserves.
Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Fort Ord Dunes State Park Fort Ord Dunes State Park opened in March 2009. It used to be an Army practice firing range. Most of the park is in the nearby town of Seaside, California. However, you can enter the park from Marina. Fort Ord Dunes State Park is a popular place for many activities. You can go horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and cycling here. It's right next to Marina State Beach.
Air Sports
Marina is a fantastic place for people who love air sports. The tall sand dunes at Marina beaches are perfect for paragliding and hang gliding. There's also a skydiving center in Marina. It's popular because you can skydive from a high altitude and it's close to the beach.
City Infrastructure
Marina Municipal Airport
Marina Municipal Airport is a small airport owned by the City of Marina. It's used for general aviation. Skydive Monterey Bay uses the airport for skydiving and parachuting. In 2021, a company called Joby Aviation got approval to build a factory at the airport.
Joby Aviation is a company that is creating an electric aircraft. This aircraft can take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. They plan to use it as an "air taxi" service in the future.
Education
Most schools in Marina are part of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.
Notable People
- Retired Buffalo Bills linebacker Ty Powell grew up in Marina.
- Ron Rivera, a famous NFL head coach, lived in Marina during his high school years. He coaches the Washington Commanders and used to coach the Carolina Panthers.
Images for kids
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A residential neighborhood in Marina.
See also
In Spanish: Marina (California) para niños
