Marina — the Fastest Growing City on the Monterey Coastline

City planners expect population growth for the next twenty years in Marina and adjacent areas to well exceed 100 percent. But, the city is committed to safeguarding its cozy, small-town character. Within short driving distance of Monterey, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco (less than 100 miles to the north), Marina is the perfect alternative to the big city.

In Marina, you'll enjoy less traffic, reduced noise levels, smaller class sizes for children and adults, and greater safety. In fact, Marina boasts some of the highest public safety rates in the region.

Marina residents enjoy a multitude of cultural and recreational activities. The slower pace of small-town life is a joy to many. But residents also participate in a vibrant commercial and cultural community. Two major institutions — California State University at Monterey Bay and the University of California, Santa Cruz — offer significant educational and scientific programs.

A municipal airport, library, and equestrian center offer residents valuable amenities. Enjoy eating out? Marina's annual International Flavors of Marina, Food, Wine, and Beer Tasting showcases the ethnic diversity of its fine local cuisine. An outdoor enthusiast? Discover some of the best biking, hiking, horseback riding, skydiving, and hang gliding anywhere. Looking for a festival? Some of the world's most famous are right next door, such as Monterey's Jazz and Blues Festivals and the Pebble Beach Concourse d'Elegance. Marina hosts the above-mentioned International Flavors Festival; the International Festival of the Winds, celebrating hang-gliders, paragliders, wind-sculptures, and kites; and the Marina Air Faire.

Marina: A New City With a Long History

Pre-1800: The portion of Monterey County surrounding Marina is the aboriginal homeland of the Ohlone/Costanoan and Esselen Tribes. Members of these native groups relied heavily on acorn meal and salmon to meet their subsistence needs and utilized a shell currency for trading throughout the area. Today, the Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen Nation consists of approximately 500 enrolled members, 60 percent of which live in Monterey and San Benito Counties.

The 1800s: The area known today as Marina was once owned by David Jacks and James Bardin, who in the mid 1800's owned much of the acreage that now constitutes the Monterey Peninsula. After Mr. Badlin passed away, his heirs sold much of the land to John Armstrong for farming and grazing, others purchased tracts for future development.

Early 1900s: In the early 1900s the area was designated as "Bardin," then "Locke-Paddon Colonies," then "Paddonville," and, around 1918, the land was renamed "Marina." It was at about this time that Southern Pacific Railroad, who had laid tracks through the area was convinced by the then owner William Locke-Paddon to make a flag stop for Locke's customers coming from San Francisco. It was his decision to change the name of the area to Marina.

As the land was developed, areas were set aside for a school, church and other necessities of an organized city. William Locke-Paddon (1876-1972), is considered the father of Marina, and some of his relatives still live in the region.

First Post Office: Marina's first post office was established in April, 1919. Murtle Samuels served as the first Postmaster. In those days, the post office was housed in conjunction with a General Store and a gasoline pump.

The Grange: One of the oldest organization in Marina was formed in 1933. "The Grange" was the catalyst for many civic occasions and spearheaded the campaign to build a Community Center in 1954.

1930s - 1950s: As with the rest of the peninsula, Marina witnessed a tremendous amount of growth and development during these years—schools, churches, businesses, our Community Center and residential homes. The area has changed from a quiet rural area into a busy prosperous community. In 1956, the Marina Fire District was formed and Reservation Road began to develop as a commercial area.

A City Is Born: After two unsuccessful attempts in the 1970s, Marina incorporated as a city in November of 1975. Voters approved the new city by a wide margin and Monterey County's newest city was born. Marina's first mayor was Frank Vineyard. Today the City continues to prosper and grow.