Sea Haven, Marina, CA

Sea Haven sits on the east side of Marina, on old Fort Ord ground that has been built out as a planned neighborhood of newer homes, parks and trails. The city's own records still call it Marina Heights, and the two names point to the same place. The housing is new construction in two named sections, Layia and Villosa, built by Trumark Homes. Plans run from one-level homes to two-story ones, in Spanish-influenced and contemporary looks, with some townhomes mixed in. Sidewalks, alleys, roundabouts and greenbelts are part of the layout, and a clubhouse called The Cove has a pool and bocce courts for residents. Sea Haven Park is the main outdoor draw at 18 acres, with about two miles of paths and a preserved oak grove. The community counts ten neighborhood parks in all, including Abrams Park and Patton Park. Past the last streets, trails lead into Fort Ord National Monument, where public paths for hiking, biking and riding cover dozens of miles. The sand at Marina State Beach is a drive of a mile and a half or so. Sea Haven itself has no restaurant row, so meals mean heading west toward the older part of town. Wild Thyme Deli on Reservation Road does sandwiches and prepared dinners, Coffee Mia Brew Bar in Downtown Marina is the coffee and egg-dish stop, and at The Dunes shopping center MoonScoops Ice Creamery sells dairy-free fruit ices and organic soft serve. Cal State Monterey Bay is close by. Groceries mean a drive to Lucky Supermarkets in Downtown Marina, and nearly every trip in this part of town is by car. The paths inside are made for walking, but they lead to parks and trailheads rather than to stores. The oak grove inside the park is a reminder that this was open land before the streets went in, and the Fort Ord trails behind it still are.