About this property
Absolutely the best deal on the Central Coast! This is one you'll want to get in to see immediately - it's priced to move and offers an enormous amount of quality living space for the money. Awesome location in Marina, just down the street from Marina City Park and numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes and services are located within a short walk. The strategic location within a short drive of Monterey, Salinas, and Santa Cruz allows for effortless commuting to major employment hubs, ensuring a work-life balance that's hard to match. Moreover, the sense of community and the array of amenities make everyday living truly exceptional. And while much of the world is enduring ever-hotter summers, Marina remains deliciously cool almost every day of the year. If you're looking for a great location that's only getting better and a tremendous amount of livable, upside potential, you are not going to find a better property for the money than 3072 Zanetta Drive in Marina.Watch the Video
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Marina
Marina is a small coastal city on Monterey Bay, just north of Seaside and Monterey and about 10 miles up Highway 1 from Cannery Row. It offers a relaxed vibe, beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities, and prices that have historically run lower than the rest of the Peninsula. For a lot of the families I work with, that combination is what puts Marina on the list.
Marina History and Community
Marina incorporated on November 13, 1975, which makes it the newest city in the Monterey area. It has grown a lot since then, especially as the former Fort Ord Army post has been redeveloped around it. The 2020 Census counted 22,359 residents, up from 19,718 in 2010, and the latest Census estimate puts the city at about 23,300 people across 8.91 square miles.
The city includes part of the California State University, Monterey Bay campus, the UC Santa Cruz MBEST research center and the Veterans Transition Center, so it has a younger, more diverse population than many coastal towns. Marina was also named one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People. Even so, about 15% of residents are 65 or older, and the city works hard to serve people of all ages.
Marina Beaches, Parks and the Outdoors
Marina is a haven for people who like to be outside. Marina State Beach is known for its tall dunes and is one of the best hang gliding and paragliding spots on the coast. Just south, Fort Ord Dunes State Park protects about four miles of beach and nearly 1,000 acres of dunes on the former Army post, and the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail runs right along the shoreline.
Inland, the Fort Ord National Monument covers 14,658 acres with more than 86 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. And when you want the big attractions, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the shops on Cannery Row are about 15 minutes away in Monterey.
Senior Services in Marina
The Marina Senior Center, run by the city’s Recreation and Cultural Services Department, is open weekday mornings for adults 55 and older. Members can take exercise, yoga, stretch and tai chi classes, try line dancing, pickleball and ping pong, join sewing, quilting and knitting groups, or just come for social hour and monthly BINGO. Annual membership is modest, and Marina residents pay less than non-residents.
Many older homeowners I talk with in Marina want to stay put as long as possible, and the city’s single-level ranch homes make that easier than in a lot of places. If that is your plan, my aging in place guide covers the changes worth making, and my downsizing guide is there for when it is time for something smaller.
Marina Schools and Colleges
Most of Marina is served by the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, with public schools from preschool through grade 12, including Marina High School, plus several charter options. The Marina Branch of the Monterey County Free Libraries provides additional resources for students and residents. Higher education is close to home too, with CSU Monterey Bay on the edge of town and Monterey Peninsula College’s Education Center in Marina.
Jobs, Shopping and Dining in Marina
Marina’s largest industries include accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, and the city also has well-paid jobs in utilities, public administration and professional services. CSUMB and the research and aviation activity around the airport add to the mix, and Joby Aviation’s manufacturing facility at the Marina Municipal Airport was approved in 2021.
For everyday shopping, The Dunes on Monterey Bay has big-box stores, a movie theater and newer restaurants along the Promenade on 10th Street, and older shopping centers along Reservation Road and Del Monte Boulevard fill in the rest. You can find everything from a quick lunch at a taqueria to a seafood dinner, and the combined sales tax rate in Marina is 9.25%.
Getting Around Marina
Marina sits right on Highway 1, which makes it easy to reach Monterey to the south and Santa Cruz to the north, and Highway 156 and Highway 101 are a short drive away for trips to Salinas and San Jose. Monterey-Salinas Transit buses connect Marina with the rest of the Peninsula and Salinas. The city also owns the Marina Municipal Airport, a general aviation airport, and Monterey Regional Airport is about 20 minutes away for commercial flights.
Marina Neighborhoods
Marina is a small city, but the older neighborhoods west of the former Fort Ord and the new master-planned areas on the old Army land feel very different from each other. I am adding detailed guides as I go, starting with the newest one.
- Sea Haven, new Layia and Villosa homes around The Cove Clubhouse off Imjin Parkway
Is Marina a Good Fit for Downsizers?
Marina has more single-level homes than most coastal towns, especially the 1960s and 1970s ranch homes in Central Marina, and much of that part of town is fairly level, which makes everyday life easier as mobility changes. There are also condos and townhomes, and newer neighborhoods like Sea Haven offer single-story plans with HOA-maintained parks and a clubhouse, though HOA dues and any special taxes should be part of the math. Some Central Marina homes are within reach of the shopping centers along Reservation Road and Del Monte Boulevard, but most of the city works best with a car.
The Marina Senior Center offers weekday programs for adults 55 and older, and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey is about 15 to 20 minutes away, with the Salinas hospitals about 20 minutes inland. If you are selling a longtime home to buy something smaller here or elsewhere in California, Prop 19 may let you carry your lower property tax base with you, and my Prop 19 guide explains how it works.
Marina Neighborhoods and the Housing Market
Marina offers a range of housing, from 1960s and 1970s ranch homes and bungalows in Central Marina and Marina Heights to newer construction in master-planned neighborhoods like Sea Haven and The Dunes, plus apartments and townhomes. That new construction has changed the market a lot. According to Redfin’s Marina housing market data, the median sale price in July 2026 was about $1.17 million, up 33.8% from a year earlier, with 41 homes sold at about 99.2% of list price after a median of 41 days on market. Monthly numbers in a city this size swing with the mix of new homes, and the Census estimate of the median owner-occupied home value is about $819,000, while the median gross rent is about $2,100.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marina
What is the median home price in Marina, CA?
According to Redfin, the median sale price in Marina was about $1.17 million in July 2026, up 33.8 percent from a year earlier, with homes selling at about 99.2 percent of list price. Monthly numbers swing a lot here because new construction makes up a big share of sales. The Census estimate of the median owner-occupied home value is about $819,000, which reflects the older housing stock.
What school district serves Marina?
Most of Marina is served by the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, including Marina High School, along with several charter options. CSU Monterey Bay sits on the edge of town, and Monterey Peninsula College has an Education Center in Marina.
Is Marina a good place to retire?
Many retirees like Marina for its single-level homes, mild climate, beaches and lower prices than the rest of the Peninsula. The Marina Senior Center runs weekday classes and social programs for adults 55 and older. Most errands require a car, and the nearest full-service hospital is in Monterey, about 15 to 20 minutes away.
How far is Marina from Monterey and San Jose?
Marina sits on Highway 1 about 10 miles north of Cannery Row, so Monterey is roughly 15 minutes away. San Jose is about an hour and 15 minutes without traffic via Highway 156 and 101. Monterey-Salinas Transit buses connect Marina with the Peninsula and Salinas.
Where is new construction in Marina?
Most new homes are on former Fort Ord land, in master-planned neighborhoods like Sea Haven and The Dunes. Sea Haven has single-family homes in its Layia and Villosa collections, with a clubhouse and neighborhood parks. New homes usually come with HOA dues, so I always compare them against resale homes in Central Marina.
Living in Marina gives you beaches and open space, a comfortable year-round climate and a real community feel, with a cost of living that is higher than the U.S. average but in line with much of coastal California. If you’re considering a move to Marina, or selling a longtime family home here, I’m happy to be your professional real estate advisor. Book a call with me or call 408-413-3087, and I’ll help you make your next move the best one yet.
View The AreaHighly likely to recommend
“Seb is more than a realtor, he is an advocate. He has taken the time to deeply understand the specific needs of our aging population and crafts his expertise and advice to really serve his clients well. He understands that real estate is so much more than a mere transaction, it's a part of a much bigger picture that he takes the time to understand and appreciate. The result is the best possible outcomes for the people he serves. He is also one of the most networked and connected people that I know. He has someone in his Rolodex (do they even make these anymore?) that has expertise in any area that you can possibly think of and he is so happy to connect people to the resources that will serve them. If you're looking to sell or buy a home, give Seb a call. If you're wondering if this is a good decision or not, give Seb a call. You'll be glad that you did.”
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“WOW! We have nothing but awesome things to say about Seb. Since we are not from Milpitas, CA, we did a google search for realtors in that area. We’re so glad that Seb called back right away, even though he was at an open house at the time. He took care of our every need without hesitation. When we had our first in person meeting with Seb, we were amazed at how comfortable we felt with him. He also took all the time to answer all our questions in an understandable, relaxed manner. If you are looking for a no ka oi (the best) realtor in the bay area, that is a team player, Seb is the man! In closing: 5 stars is not a high enough rating for Seb. We give him a 10 stars rating!!!!!”
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“Seb jumped in to help us sell our rural / unique property after a bad experience with another agent and helped us SO MUCH! We felt really lost, confused, and worried - and Seb turned the entire experience around. He is the right combo of analytical & creative, and has a very strategic, pragmatic, and honest way of working. I love his enthusiasm and optimism even in a tough market. He takes care of everything for you which relieved so much stress as a seller. If you're looking for someone you can trust to help you navigate this process, Seb is your guy, hands down.”
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“We had a wonderful time working with Seb during the home buying process. He’s an incredible agent and exactly who you want representing you. He’s knowledgeable, determined and made us feel so comfortable throughout the entire process. We appreciated how he always went the extra mile for us, filming video tours of homes when we weren’t immediately available to see them in person. We couldn’t have asked for a better agent. Thank you Seb!”
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“Seb is a wonderful agent! Over the summer we found out that we had to sell my parents' house sooner than expected. Seb jumped in immediately and handled all aspects of the sale during a very busy time in our lives. The house sold in less than 3 weeks and we were very happy with the offer. When we're ready to sell our house, we'll be calling Seb.”
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“Best realtor in California. He's honest, considerate and just a good guy. He knows the market & he knows houses...!!”
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“It was a pleasure working with Seb to sell our condo in downtown San Jose. As first time home sellers, we didn’t know what to expect. Seb talked us through pivotal decisions related to getting the condo ready for market, pricing, waiting for offers, and the negotiations of offers. We appreciated his knowledge, tact, and humor. Further, it felt very much like a concierge service, where we did not have to deal with the minutia and were looped in for critical decisions. Looking forward to connecting again on our next real estate encounter.”
Highly likely to recommend
“Seb exceeded our expectations in both the selling of one property and the purchase of another. He was very focused on what was best for us. He is a modern realtor who is on top of the market, uses technology and local data to help make the best moves and decisions. I was pleasantly surprised about how responsive he was whether by texts, phone calls or emails. My biggest kudo however is how he kept us focused on our goals in our transactions. While it's easy to get distracted by all of the "shiny objects" that are a part of the business, he would steer us back to what we wanted to accomplish...and we did! We couldn't have had a better experience and are very glad to recommend Seb to anyone that wants excellence from a realtor.”
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“Seb is an amazing real estate professional! He is truly passionate and knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the properties, agreements and rules and regulations... Recently, Seb saved me a big trouble with his valuable step-by-step guidance, whereas a real estate lawyer could have made the situation way more complicated and costly. I know many realtors, but Seb is the only one I would 100% trust and rely on.”