The Dunes on Monterey Bay Homes for Sale
The Dunes on Monterey Bay is one of Marina's most distinctive newer master-planned communities, combining new and newer homes with shopping, restaurants, entertainment, parks and convenient access to Highway 1, California State University Monterey Bay and the Monterey Bay coast.
Unlike a traditional subdivision built during a single period, The Dunes has developed in phases over many years. Buyers today may encounter established resale homes from earlier phases as well as newly built homes, duet-style residences, townhome-style properties and larger contemporary detached homes still being offered in newer sections of the community.
This makes The Dunes a particularly interesting choice for buyers who want newer construction but also value being able to walk or make a very short drive to everyday shopping, dining and entertainment. It also means buyers need to compare individual phases, floor plans, HOA obligations, Community Facilities District taxes, solar arrangements and nearby future development carefully.
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About The Dunes on Monterey Bay
The Dunes occupies a large portion of Marina's former Fort Ord lands near Highway 1, Imjin Parkway, 2nd Avenue and California State University Monterey Bay. The community was originally planned under the University Villages Specific Plan and has since become known as The Dunes on Monterey Bay.
The City-approved specific plan covers approximately 429 acres and allows for a mixture of residential housing, shopping, restaurants, entertainment, employment uses, hotels, parks and other community amenities. Residential development was planned to include apartments, townhomes, duet-style homes and detached single-family residences.
That mixed-use design is one of the biggest differences between The Dunes and many other Marina neighborhoods. Rather than being isolated from commercial areas, many homes are located close to The Dunes shopping and entertainment district.
Homes at The Dunes
The Dunes housing market has changed considerably since the first homes were introduced.
Earlier sections included communities such as Sea House and Surf House, while newer phases have introduced additional attached and detached designs. As a result, today's buyer may be comparing an established resale home with completed landscaping and owner upgrades against a newly constructed home with current builder finishes and incentives.
Shea Homes continues to build within The Dunes, with current offerings that include several different housing formats ranging from duet-style homes to larger detached residences and townhome-style properties.
Current and recent Shea communities at The Dunes include:
- Bay House — newer duet-style homes
- Light House — larger detached single-family homes
- Sky House — some of the largest newer detached homes within The Dunes
- Rooftops — townhome-style, condominium and live/work-oriented designs
Earlier Dunes neighborhoods also remain an important part of the resale market, so buyers should not assume that every home listed in The Dunes is new construction.
New Construction vs. Resale at The Dunes
One of the most important decisions for a Dunes buyer is whether to purchase directly from a builder or buy an existing resale home.
A new home may provide current finishes, builder warranties and the ability to select certain options depending on the construction stage. A resale home may already include improvements that a new-home buyer would otherwise have to add after closing.
Those improvements can be significant. Depending on the property, a resale home may already have:
- Finished backyard landscaping
- Patios, pavers or outdoor entertaining areas
- Window coverings
- Upgraded flooring
- Built-in cabinetry
- EV charging equipment
- Owned solar
- Custom lighting
- Storage improvements
- Established landscaping and fencing
Lot size can also vary more than buyers may initially expect. Two homes with similar square footage and floor plans may have substantially different outdoor space, privacy and lot orientation.
When builders are actively selling new homes, resale sellers also compete with builder incentives. Buyers should compare the total economic package rather than simply comparing asking prices.
The Dunes Shopping, Dining and Entertainment
Immediate access to shopping and services is one of The Dunes' defining characteristics.
The Dunes retail area includes major stores, restaurants, services and a movie theater, making it possible for residents to handle many everyday errands without traveling into central Monterey or Salinas.
This is an important lifestyle distinction when comparing The Dunes with Sea Haven. Sea Haven has a more predominantly residential neighborhood character, while The Dunes places homes much closer to a larger concentration of retail and commercial activity.
Some buyers strongly prefer that convenience. Others prefer greater separation from commercial areas. Location within The Dunes therefore matters almost as much as the individual home.
CSUMB and The Dunes
California State University Monterey Bay is immediately adjacent to The Dunes and is one of the community's most important neighboring institutions.
For homeowners, proximity to CSUMB can provide convenient access for university employees, students, faculty and households with university connections. It also contributes to the broader employment, housing and commercial activity surrounding the former Fort Ord area.
Buyers considering a property for future rental use should review the property's HOA documents, local regulations and any applicable restrictions rather than assuming proximity to CSUMB automatically makes every home suitable as a rental.
Fort Ord Dunes and Coastal Access
Although the name "The Dunes on Monterey Bay" may sound as though the homes sit directly on the shoreline, the residential neighborhoods are located inland from Highway 1.
Fort Ord Dunes State Park and the Monterey Bay coastline are nearby, providing access to beaches, coastal dunes and recreation. Marina State Beach is also a short distance away.
The surrounding former Fort Ord lands provide additional opportunities for walking, cycling and outdoor recreation throughout the extensive regional trail network.
Buyers specifically seeking direct oceanfront property should understand that The Dunes is a coastal-area community rather than an oceanfront residential development.
Parks and Open Space
The Dunes master plan incorporates parks, pedestrian connections and open spaces throughout the development.
Individual homes can have very different relationships to these areas. Some may face or back toward community open space, while others are located closer to commercial streets, future development or other residential phases.
When evaluating a home, buyers should consider not only the current surroundings but also approved future development on nearby vacant parcels.
The Dunes HOA and Community Facilities District Taxes
The total cost of owning a home at The Dunes can include more than the mortgage, regular property taxes and homeowner's insurance.
Depending on the property and phase, buyers should evaluate HOA dues as well as special taxes associated with one of The Dunes Community Facilities Districts.
The City of Marina has established Community Facilities Districts for portions of The Dunes under California's Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act. These special taxes help fund services and maintenance such as streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, street lighting and storm-drain infrastructure.
Because the applicable tax can vary by parcel and development phase, buyers should review the actual current property tax bill and preliminary title information for the specific property they are considering.
Before purchasing at The Dunes, buyers should review:
- Current HOA dues
- Association budget and reserves
- Community rules and architectural restrictions
- Property insurance responsibilities
- Current property tax bill
- Applicable CFD or Mello-Roos special taxes
- Solar ownership, lease or financing documents
- Builder disclosures
- Future development disclosures
Affordable Housing at The Dunes
The Dunes specific plan also includes affordable housing as part of the overall development.
The City of Marina identifies affordable rental developments within The Dunes in addition to market-rate residential construction. These properties are separate from the unrestricted resale homes buyers typically see in the MLS and may have income or occupancy requirements.
Buyers should therefore distinguish between conventional market-rate ownership opportunities and any property subject to affordability or resale restrictions.
The Dunes Compared With Sea Haven
Sea Haven and The Dunes are two of Marina's most frequently compared newer communities.
Both offer modern housing, parks and convenient regional access, but their environments are different.
The Dunes has a stronger mixed-use character, with homes located close to major shopping, restaurants, entertainment, CSUMB and Highway 1.
Sea Haven feels more predominantly residential, with neighborhood streets, parks and open spaces forming a larger part of the immediate residential environment.
The choice generally depends on the specific property and the buyer's priorities. Someone who values immediate shopping and highway access may favor The Dunes, while a buyer seeking a more residential setting may lean toward Sea Haven.
The Dunes Compared With Marina Station
Marina Station represents another major newer-development option, but it is earlier in its overall development cycle.
The Dunes already has a substantial amount of housing, shopping and commercial infrastructure in place. Marina Station is being developed as a long-term mixed-use community in northern Marina and will continue taking shape over multiple phases.
Buyers considering both should compare existing amenities, future construction, location, home design, lot configuration and the amount of ongoing development they are comfortable living around.
The Dunes Compared With East Garrison
East Garrison is also frequently cross-shopped with The Dunes because both offer relatively newer homes on former Fort Ord property.
The Dunes is within the City of Marina and has immediate access to major retail, CSUMB and Highway 1. East Garrison is an unincorporated Monterey County community with a Marina 93933 mailing address and a more residential village environment.
Both also require buyers to pay close attention to HOA and special-tax structures, although the governmental entities and specific assessments differ.
The Dunes Is Still Growing
The Dunes should no longer be described as a brand-new neighborhood "just getting started," but it is also not completely finished.
Residential and commercial development continues in phases, and additional portions of the master plan remain in various stages of construction, approval or future development.
That makes the location of an individual property particularly important. Buyers should determine what is planned for nearby vacant land and not assume an existing open area will remain undeveloped.
What Buyers Should Evaluate at The Dunes
The Dunes gives buyers a wide range of housing choices, but those choices make careful comparison important.
- New construction versus resale
- Detached versus attached or duet-style housing
- Specific builder and floor plan
- Lot size and outdoor space
- Privacy and neighboring homes
- Proximity to retail and commercial activity
- Highway and roadway proximity
- HOA dues and reserves
- CFD or Mello-Roos special taxes
- Solar ownership or financing
- Builder upgrades
- Completed landscaping
- Parking and garage configuration
- Nearby future development
A home that appears more expensive than another similar floor plan may actually include substantial improvements, a larger lot, better privacy or owned solar. Conversely, builder incentives can sometimes materially affect the economics of buying new.
Buying New Construction at The Dunes
Buyers purchasing directly from a builder should remember that the builder's sales representative represents the builder's interests in the transaction.
Having your own real estate representation can be particularly useful when comparing builder inventory with resale homes, evaluating lots, reviewing incentives and understanding how a particular property may compare with future resale competition.
Builders may also have registration requirements for buyers working with outside agents, so it is generally best to involve your agent before the first visit to a sales office or model-home complex.
Our Marina New Construction Homes guide covers additional issues buyers should consider when purchasing a newly built home.
Selling a Home at The Dunes
Dunes sellers face a unique competitive environment because a resale property may be competing against both other resales and brand-new builder inventory.
Pricing should account for:
- Current builder offerings
- Builder financing or closing-cost incentives
- Lot size and orientation
- Privacy
- Landscaping
- Upgrades
- Solar ownership
- HOA dues
- Special taxes
- Garage configuration
- Floor plan
- Proximity to future development
A well-improved resale home can offer meaningful advantages over new construction when the buyer considers the cost and time required to add landscaping, window coverings, outdoor living areas and other upgrades after closing.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Dunes
Where is The Dunes on Monterey Bay?
The Dunes is located in Marina near Highway 1, Imjin Parkway, 2nd Avenue and California State University Monterey Bay on portions of the former Fort Ord property.
Is The Dunes actually on the beach?
No. The residential neighborhoods are inland from Highway 1. Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Marina State Beach and the Monterey Bay coastline are nearby, but The Dunes homes are not an oceanfront residential development.
Are new homes still being built at The Dunes?
Yes. The Dunes continues to have active new-home construction in addition to an established resale market. Shea Homes remains active in newer phases of the community.
What types of homes are available at The Dunes?
The Dunes includes detached single-family homes, duet-style residences, townhome and condominium-style properties, apartments and other housing types developed across multiple phases.
Does The Dunes have an HOA?
Many residential properties within The Dunes have HOA obligations, but the exact dues, coverage and rules vary by property and phase. Buyers should review the current HOA documents for the individual home they are considering.
Does The Dunes have Mello-Roos or special taxes?
Yes, portions of The Dunes are within City of Marina Community Facilities Districts established under California's Mello-Roos law. Buyers should verify the applicable CFD and current special tax directly from the tax bill and property-specific disclosures.
What shopping is near The Dunes?
The Dunes includes a major shopping and entertainment area with national retailers, restaurants, services and a movie theater. This immediate access to commercial amenities is one of the primary differences between The Dunes and more residential Marina communities.
How does The Dunes compare with Sea Haven?
The Dunes has a stronger mixed-use environment and immediate access to shopping, entertainment, CSUMB and Highway 1. Sea Haven has a more predominantly residential character centered around neighborhoods, parks and open space.
Is The Dunes completely built out?
No. Large portions are established, but additional residential and commercial development remains underway or planned within the broader Dunes specific-plan area.
Can I buy directly from the builder at The Dunes?
Yes, buyers can purchase available new construction directly from a builder, but buyers may also choose independent real estate representation. Builder procedures can require an agent to accompany or register a buyer early in the process, so it is best to establish representation before visiting model homes.
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