Sand City is a small town with 1.5 miles of sandy beach
and a population of 200 people who enjoy living near California's largest
sand dunes that cover 40 square miles along the Monterey Bay. Sand City
also enjoys a beautiful recreational trail overlooking the Monterey Bay
National Marine Sanctuary just off shore. The second largest marine protected
area in the world stretches along one fourth of the California coastline
from Cambria (near Hearst's Castle) to just north of the Golden Gate Bridge
in San Francisco and is almost as large as the state of Connecticut.
Comprised of approximately 350 acres of land surrounded
by Fort Ord to the north, Seaside to the east, Monterey to the south and
Monterey Bay to the west, there are approximately 1.5 miles of ocean frontage
within the city. The scenic Highway One and the former Southern Pacific
Railroad run through the entire length of the City. The Transportation
Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) is working on a program to restore inter-city
passenger rail service to the Monterey Peninsula.
This city aptly named for sand gets plenty of it when
winds whip across the bay and blow it in clouds along the beach. Mild summer
days can be quite pleasant but always take a jacket to this spot and be
prepared for those winds.
For vacations, tourists
discover that they can stay outside Monterey and Carmel, often for a lot
less than in the cities, and Sand City/Seaside has those nearby spots just a
beautiful, scenic coastal drive up the road a bit.
America's Best Value Inn is often under $50, even during the summer
months. Even the
Best Western often can be under $100. While
Embassy Suites is the most popular, suites hotel, and its prices are
more inline with Carmel & Monterey hotels, the
Seaside Holiday Inn offers quite reasonable prices in its scenic bay
location shown in the photo below.
Sand City is located approximately 125 miles south of
San Francisco, 56 miles southwest of the Santa Clara Valley, and 345 miles
north of Los Angeles, with elevation ranges from 4 to 400 feet above sea
level. The city enjoys the sunniest
of the moderate year-round Peninsula coastal climates. Summer highs seldom
exceed 80° F and winter temperatures rarely drop below 40° F. Annual
rainfall averages 18.7 inches with over 95% occurring during the fall and
winter months. The average relative humidity is 74% in summer and 66% in
winter. Water temperatures range usually in
the 50's and low 60's. Wetsuits are a wise choice for surfing these waters.
Since Sand City's incorporation in May of 1960,
it has served the Monterey Peninsula area as an employment center. Although
only 200 people live here, 4,000 people come to work each day in Sand City.
Striving toward offering a balanced mix of retail stores and resort visitor-serving
uses, the only regional shopping centers on the Monterey Peninsula are
located here. Sand Dollar Plaza and Edge Water Shopping Center offer recognized
names such as Target, Circuit City, Borders Books, Costco, Office Depot
and Orchard Supply Hardware. Sand City also attracts artistic and craft
enterprises that need workshop and storage spaces.
The citizens of Sand City, while wanting to enhance the
existing character and commercial base, wish to encourage additional housing
in appropriate locations. The citizens of Sand City and the City Council
have a strong conviction to obtain high quality coastal residential development
in the City's East Dunes area and in a mixed use resort project on the
west side of Highway One. With this commercial and residential potential,
there are many development opportunities within Sand City. Sand City is
adjacent to the former Fort Ord military base, and is a member agency of
the Fort Ord Reuse Authority that is working to convert this large facility
to civilian uses.
Cultural and recreational attractions include 2 golf courses,
beaches, parks, hang gliding, rock climbing, camping, concerts, dining,
car races and more.
Here is a partial list of some resources and activities:
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Sand City Birthday Celebration Seaside
State Beach |
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Seaside Jazz Art Show Sunday Blues Concerts in the Park |
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Laguna Grande Regional Park This park is located across from
Seaside’s City Hall on Canyon Del Rey Boulevard. In addition to the 12-acre
lake, this 60-acre restored wetland park features a one-mile bicycle path
and a one-mile mostly paved nature trail perfect for bird-watching. A playground
and picnic facilities are provided as well as restrooms. Telephone: 831-899-6233 |
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Laguna Seca Recreation Area: Many annual events are held
on this 542-acre setting, which is also the location of the famous Laguna
Seca Raceway. A lake with a five-acre island is accessible by a bridge.
The campground offers 172 sites (102 have electrical hook-ups) by reservation
and showers are available. This recreation area is located on Highway 68.
Telephone: 831-647-7795 or 831-755-4899 for reservations. |
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Marina Dunes RV Park 3330 Dunes
Drive, Marina Telephone: 831-384-6914
4 star RV park with full services including fuel station |
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Marina State Beach: Hang gliding, surfing, sunbathing and
fishing are popular sports along this 170-acre beach. Visitors can hike
through the 70-foot dunes |
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Monterey Bay SK-8 STATION 1855
East Avenue, Sand City, CA 93955 831-372-1328 |
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Monterey State Beach is a favorite
place for surfers and tidepool watchers. Fishing is popular, too. The cities
of Monterey and Seaside share the park, which has three separate beaches
approximately a mile apart. The underwater area of the park attracts scuba
divers. Visitors also enjoy kayaking, kite-flying and volleyball. The flat
beach is an excellent place for beachcombing. The
park is located at the Seaside exit off Highway 218, west of Highway 1.
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised. |
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SANCTUARY ROCK GYM 1855 East Avenue
Sand City, CA 93955 831-899-2595 http://www.rockgym.com |
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Seaside State Beach: The Seaside beach is remarkable for
its long, walkable stretches of sand and its beautiful dunes. Walk the
dog, take a sunset stroll, check out the very interesting native plant
dune restoration project currently underway. The beach is located at Highway
218 at Highway 1. Open to the public. |
Toro County Park: Covering 4,882 acres, this park features
12 miles of hiking and equestrian trails with magnificent views of the
Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay. A self-guided nature trail runs along
the park's creek. The park also offers ballfields, volleyball courts, horseshoes
pits, picnic facilities, and a playground. a camp for youth groups of up
to 100 is available by reservation. Telephone: 831-647-7795or 831-755-4899
for reservations
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Western Hang Gliders Highway 1 & Reservation
Road Marina, CA 93933 831-384-2622 |
