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Living at Marina Station means year-round access to some of California’s most scenic coastal views. Whether you’re an avid hiker or searching for your next favorite walking spot, these trails offer sweeping vistas of the Monterey coast and beyond.
City: Marina
Length: 2-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Birding, wetlands
Serving as the northern starting point of the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, Locke-Paddon Park features tranquil ponds, picnic areas, workout stations and easy walking paths. Bird enthusiasts will appreciate that over 138 species have been spotted here, making it an excellent destination for wildlife observation.
City: Marina
Length: 1 – 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Biking, walking, marine life
Just a 10-minute drive from Marina Station, Fort Ord Dunes State Park offers a four-mile coastal trail with breathtaking views of Monterey Bay. Stroll along the boardwalk or bring your bicycle to explore the paved paths. Leashed dogs are welcome!
City: Inland from Moss Landing
Length: 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Oak woodlands, grasslands, tidal flats, wildlife viewing
Located 20 minutes north of Marina Station, Elkhorn Slough Reserve provides free entry and three main trail loops. Take a short hike to the overlook or meander through the reserve’s diverse habitats, from oak woodlands down to mudflats and tidal channels.
City: Carmel Valley
Length: 5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Known for: Hiking, diverse wildlife including endangered California red-legged frogs and Smith’s blue butterflies
A combination of several trails, this route features steeper trails and breathtaking views of the Carmel coast. As you head toward Animas Pond, you’ll pass through pine forests and meadows with many opportunities for wildlife sightings.
City: Carmel-by-the-Sea
Length: 1-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Cypress trees, sea lions
A favorite among Point Lobos visitors, Cypress Grove Trail is a short loop offering stunning views of ancient cypress trees, the Monterey coastline and Pinnacles Cove. Arrive early, as parking lots fill up quickly!
City: Carmel Valley
Length: 2 – 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Hard
Known for: Hiking, horseback riding, geocaching, redwood canyons, waterfalls
This dog-friendly park blends leisure hiking with elements of Carmel Valley’s historic past. Notable features include the Carmel River and Garzas Creek, where you’ll find yourself immersed in redwood canyons. For an easier outing, try the Buckeye Nature Trail. If you’re seeking a challenge, the East Ridge Trail rewards hikers with spectacular views.
City: Big Sur
Length: 1 – 5.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Hiking, beachcombing
About an hour south of Marina Station, Andrew Molera State Park offers multiple trail options. Hike along the Beach Trail to search for seaside treasures or take the Creamery Meadow Trail where you’ll wade across the Big Sur River.
City: Monterey
Length: 1-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Hiking, horseback riding, birding
Jacks Peak County Park features impressive ridgetop vistas overlooking Monterey Bay and Carmel Valley, plus one of the only remaining natural stands of Monterey pine trees and fossils from the Miocene epoch. With a variety of short, interconnected trails, the park is accessible for all ages.
City: Pacific Grove
Length: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Tide pools, walking, wildlife viewing
Located on the Monterey Peninsula, Asilomar State Beach is a popular destination for exercise, wildlife observation and views of the rocky coastline. Access the Asilomar Coast Trail from the northern end of the beach and follow the one-mile path along white sandy shores.
With so much to do and explore nearby, it’s no wonder Marina Station is such an incredible place to call home. Be sure to join the Marina Station interest list for news and updates. And don’t forget to follow on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the know.
Why More Homebuyers Are Choosing the Monterey Bay AreaIn recent years, more homebuyers have started to rethink what they want from where they live. And increasingly, the answer leads them to the Monterey Bay area.
It’s easy to see why. Few places offer this combination of natural beauty, outdoor access, and a lifestyle that feels both active and grounded. From coastal trails and beaches to open space and fresh air, the region invites a way of living that prioritizes balance.
But beyond the scenery, there’s a deeper appeal. Communities here tend to feel more connected. Days move at a different pace. There’s space to breathe, to reset and to focus on what matters most.
For many buyers, Marina, CA stands out as a particularly smart choice. It offers close proximity to Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove, while maintaining a more approachable and livable feel. It’s coastal living that feels within reach, without compromising on experience.
Communities like Marina Station are helping to shape that next chapter. With thoughtfully designed homes, access to parks and trails and a location that keeps the best of the region close by, it reflects what today’s buyers are truly looking for.
As more people prioritize lifestyle, flexibility and connection to nature, the Monterey Bay area continues to rise and Marina is right at the center of it.
Still exploring the area? Marina Station brings together everything that makes living on the Monterey Peninsula so appealing with new homes designed for comfort, connection and life by the coast.
Live Local: Winter Wonders in Monterey CountyWhen winter settles over Monterey County, the coastal magic doesn’t fade—it transforms. From watching whales breach offshore to warming up with wine or a cozy drink, winters at Marina Station are full of moments to savor. Make this season one to remember in Monterey.
Every winter, thousands of California gray whales make their remarkable journey along the Monterey coastline, migrating from December through April. You can experience this natural spectacle up close with Monterey Bay Boat Tours, or take the scenic route to Garrapata State Park and Whalers Knoll Lookout, where elevated vantage points offer sweeping ocean views. Don’t forget your binoculars!
From October through February, Monterey becomes a winter haven for thousands of monarch butterflies. At the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, you’ll find these delicate travelers clustered in eucalyptus trees, creating one of nature’s most enchanting displays. The sanctuary preserves their habitat while offering visitors a rare chance to witness this seasonal phenomenon.
Birders know Monterey County as a bucket-list destination, and for good reason. The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve draws hundreds of species to its protected wetlands, while Carmel River State Beach and Marina Dunes Open Space Preserve offer peaceful sanctuaries where shorebirds and migratory species thrive. Make sure to bring your field guide and settle in!
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the world’s premier destinations for marine wildlife viewing. Stop by the Visitor Center for interactive exhibits and films that bring the underwater world to life, perfect for all ages. While you can catch gray whales migrating south through the sanctuary, winter also brings special visitors—northern elephant seals and southern sea otter pups born during breeding season.
When the coastal fog rolls in, there’s no better remedy than a glass of wine in Carmel Valley’s wine country. This charming region offers a rustic, laid-back atmosphere with stunning mountain views as your backdrop. Wander from tasting rooms with a self-guided tour at your own pace or treat yourself to a Wine Trolley Private Tour along Pacific Coast Highway—an unforgettable way to sample the valley’s finest.
The Monterey Museum of Art offers a welcome indoor escape with thought-provoking exhibits that celebrate our region’s creative spirit. This winter, explore collections like “Artistic Alliance in Monterey” to learn about the Japanese American experience in Monterey, or lose yourself in “Landscape ReEnvisioned,” where contemporary photography highlights environmental activism and natural beauty.
While winter is especially beautiful in Monterey Bay, what we love most is how every season comes to life here. Ready for more? Be sure to join the Marina Station interest list for news and updates. And don’t forget to follow on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the know.
Hero Photo Credit: Douglas Croft / Douglas Croft Images