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California
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California State Parks

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USA Parks
California
Central Coast & Central Valley Region
Marina State Park
Valley Quail © stateparks.com
Valley Quail
Picnic Table © stateparks.com
It is always a great day for a picnic in the park.
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MARINA STATE PARK
MARINA STATE PARK
The beach area includes a boardwalk that winds through the Marina Dunes Natural Preserves. The beach is known for hang-gliding. Radio-controlled gliders and kites are also popular. The beach is a favorite site for picnics. Water recreation is extremely hazardous due to strong rip currents.
History of the Area
Located in Monterey County, California, the park was established during 1977. It spans over 170 acres and features a beachfront of approximately one mile. The land for this state-owned public recreation area was donated by real estate developer John Doud.

The park is known for its high dunes that offer panoramic views of Monterey Bay and beyond. Its main attractions include hang gliding from towering sand dunes as well as bird watching opportunities due to its diverse avian population.

Over time it has become popular among locals and tourists alike because of activities like picnicking, fishing, swimming or simply enjoying the breathtaking sunsets on the Pacific Ocean horizon.



Trails
- Marina Dunes Trail: A 0.6-mile loop trail that offers scenic views of the dunes and ocean, suitable for all skill levels.

- Beach Range Road Trail: An easy out-and-back route stretching over a distance of about 2 miles along the beachfront; ideal for bird watching.

- Salinas River State Park Pathway: This is an approximately 3 mile long hiking path with beautiful wildflowers in season and opportunities to spot wildlife like birds or sea otters.

- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail - Castroville Segment : It's around a five-mile stretch offering stunning coastal vistas, perfect for biking as well as walking.

- Fort Ord National Monument Trails System: Over eighty-six miles worth trails winding through rolling hillsides covered by chaparral plants, oak woodlands and grassy meadows.

-Dune Nature Loop Trial - Located within close proximity to Marina state park this short half-a-mile trial provides panoramic view points overlooking Pacific Ocean

-Moss Landing Wildlife Area Hiking Route - Approximately four-miles round trip hike providing excellent opportunity to observe various species of waterfowl during migration seasons

-Pajaro River Mouth Natural Preserve Walkway- Roughly two-miles walk showcasing diverse habitats including freshwater marshes , riparian woodland etc., great place for nature photography

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Area Campgrounds
Marina Dunes RV Park
3330 Dunes Drive
Marina, CA
831-384-6914
Marina Dunes RV Park
3330 Dunes Drive
Marina, CA
831-384-6914
Moss Landing KOA Express
7905 Sandoldt Road
Moss Landing, CA
Carmel By The River RV Park
27680 Schulte Road
Carmel, CA
831-624-9329
Saddle Mountain Rec Area
27625 Schulte Road
Carmel, CA
831-624-1617
Cabana Holiday Resort
8710 Prunedale North Road
Salinas, CA
831-663-2886
Laguna Seca Park-Monterey
1025 Monterey-Salinas Highway
Salinas, CA
831-758-3604
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
The park is at the foot of Reservation Road in Marina, 10 miles north of Monterey.
Area Shopping
businesss listing main photo
Monterey Bay Pictures - Monterey Bay, CA
Photography
Specializing in high-quality, hard-to-find California scenic and travel location stock photos and fine art prints.
7.4 miles from park*

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California
70

California State Parks

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