Marina

Ever-shifting sands and perpetual Pacific breezes make Marina a “favorite places” nominee among outdoor enthusiasts. Sheltered from Monterey Bay by the sand dunes of Marina Dunes Natural Preserve, Marina is hugely popular with hang gliding pilots, and captains of all manner of wind-propelled craft. Take a look at a sample itinerary to see what awaits you on a Marina vacation.

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Marina Events

Every Mother’s Day weekend Marina hosts the annual Festival of the Winds: it’s quite possibly the one time a year when hang gliders and giant kites outnumber raptors and songbirds along the coast. Featuring kite flying contests, hang glider races, and wind-related crafts for children (as well as air-filled bouncy houses), it's a great family event.

If you prefer your festivals to be themed around motorized aircraft, visit in October for the Marina Air Faire. Featuring antique air crafts and a hot rod show, it's well worth the trip for fans of sleek machines.

Marina Beach and Other Parks

If there’s any space left on your digital camera’s memory stick, a trip to Marina State Beach with its unique Central California flora and fauna should put you in megapixel overload. The beach is the premier hang gliding spot in Central California because of its steady winds, great launching area, and the wonderful views from above.

Stroll down the beach and soon you'll be in Fort Ord Dunes State Park, once a military artillery range and now home to threatened bird and plant life. Or you can hop on your bicycle and head all the way south to Pebble Beach on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail.

Marina Map

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