Marina State Beach, State beach in Marina, Monterey County, California, US

Marina State Beach is a coastal beach in Monterey County, Central California, known for its tall sand dunes that rise along the shoreline. The site has a parking area, an observation platform, and an interpretive trail that explains the coastal ecosystems found on the ground.

The area was designated a state beach in 1977, which allowed the coastal dunes and surrounding habitats to be protected from development. Since then it has been managed as a publicly accessible natural area.

Marina State Beach is a launch site for hang gliders, paragliders and kite flyers, drawn by the wind off Monterey Bay. Surfers also come for the reliable waves. The 0.6-mile interpretive trail on the dunes explains the habitat these activities share.

The beach is easy to reach and the paths are wide enough for people with limited mobility. Wind can be strong at any time of year, so bringing a warm layer is a good idea regardless of the season.

The dunes here are among the tallest along the entire Central California coast, making them visible from a distance before you even reach the shoreline. This height sets the beach apart visually from most other sandy stretches in the region.