Marina is a city in Monterey County, California, on the north end of the Monterey Peninsula along Monterey Bay. With a population of about 22,500, it is one of the region's newer and fastest-evolving communities, defined by a singular transformation: the closure of Fort Ord in 1994 and the repurposing of the former Army base into California State University, Monterey Bay. That conversion reshaped Marina's economy and identity. The university's main campus spans Marina and neighboring Seaside, and the city also hosts the UC Santa Cruz MBEST center and a Veterans Transition Center. Where a military installation once dominated, an academic and residential community has taken root, and Marina has been recognized for its appeal to young people and families. The city's coastal setting is another defining asset. Marina State Beach, known for hang-gliding and its expansive dunes, sits along Monterey Bay, and the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail connects Marina to the wider peninsula. Fort Ord Dunes State Park adds protected shoreline and open space. The climate is cool and maritime, typical of the northern Central Coast. Housing in Marina ranges from base-era streets to newer communities such as The Dunes and Sea Haven, generally at a more attainable price point than Monterey or Carmel. Public schools are part of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, and Highway 1 keeps Monterey, Salinas, and the Salinas Valley within a short drive. For people seeking coastal living, a university-town energy, and a gateway to the Monterey Peninsula's beaches and open space, Marina offers a distinctive and increasingly popular base on Monterey Bay.