OUTDOOR RECREATION
BEACHES
Sand City beaches offer a unique beach experience. Known for its large ancient sand dunes, which are some of the tallest on the Central Coast, creating a picturesque and serene landscape. The beach is perfect for activities like sunbathing, walking, and kite flying due to its fine, soft sand and open space.
Key Characteristics of Sand City Beaches:
- Unique Sand Dunes: The area is characterized by vast, ancient sand dunes, offering a distinctive natural backdrop and a sense of tranquility.
- Fine, Soft Sand: The beaches feature clean, soft sand, which is ideal for various beach activities.
- Coastal Activities: Visitors can enjoy activities such as sunbathing, leisurely walks, kite flying, and water sports.
- Artistic & Green Initiatives: Sand City is known for its conscious effort to be an artistic and green-conscious community, making it an inviting place for residents and visitors.
PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
Calabrese Park
Calabrese Park is a tranquil small public park located next to the Sand City City Hall, known for its peaceful atmosphere and community-focused amenities, such as newly remodeled swings for children. The park was named after Sand City’s first mayor, Phil Calabrese, and serves as a space for residents and visitors to relax and enjoy nature. Key features of Calabrese Park include:
- A tranquil atmosphere: The park provides a serene setting for visitors to enjoy nature.
- Family-friendly amenities: It features a small play area with newly remodeled swings, making it a great spot for families and children.
- Community-oriented: The park, adjacent to City Hall, becomes a part of events and serves as a central hub for the community.
- Historical Significance: The park is named after Phil Calabrese, the City’s first mayor, and was built on land previously occupied by a longtime resident, Joe Sartori.
Esselen-Ohlone Park
Esselen-Ohlone Park is a delightful public park in Sand City, with nature-themed play structures and features like rock climbing areas and picnic tables, designed in celebration of the region’s Ohlone heritage and inspired by the area’s dunes and artistic community. The park is located within the City’s South of Tioga District and features wooden playground structures for younger children and a picnic area.
Purpose & Vision
- Honoring Native Heritage: The Park celebrates the rich heritage of the Ohlone people who originally inhabited this region, before Spanish colonization.
- Neighborhood Transformation: It serves as a “small but mighty” first step in the larger transformation of the South of Tioga District.
- Community Focus: The park provides a place for the community to gather, play, and connect with nature.
Park Features & Design
- Nature-inspired playground: The park includes wooden playground sculptures designed for children to climb and explore.
- Community & Gathering Space: The design integrates a community gathering area with the nature-themed playground.
- Picnic Facilities: The park offers two picnic tables.
- Dune Habitat Inspiration: The park’s design reflects Sand City’s natural settings against the Monterey Bay dunes and the local artist community.
HIKING & BIKING
Sand City Coastal Trail
(Under Development)
The purpose of the Sand City Coastal Trail is to build a pedestrian trail system which connects Sand City’s West End District to the coast, provides an ADA accessible pathway and viewing area along Sand City’s coast, and restores sensitive dune habitat.
The proposed project generally consists of:
- Approximately 3,775 linear feet of planned coastal trails, including boardwalks, sidewalks, and an ADA compliant section of coastal trail;
- Approximately 12 acres of planned dune habitat restoration;
- Striped parking spaces at Tioga Avenue;
- Wayfinding coastal access signs;
- Educational interpretive signs;
- One restroom at West Bay Street; and
- One new viewing platform and bench near the end of the ADA accessible portion of the coastal trail.
This is the first formal attempt to connect the inland side of Sand City (inland of State Route 1) with the coastal side of Sand City on the Monterey Bay. The Coastal Trail is a part of a larger vision to clean up Sand City’s Coastal area of Rip Rap (old asphalt and concrete remains from roadbeds and sand mining), create better and more well defined public access, and restore the native habitat.
Multi-Use Recreation Trail
(Under Development)
The City of Sand City is actively advancing the planning and design of a new multiuse trail within the 100-foot existing railway corridor owned by TAMC (Transportation Agency of Monterey County) and within the jurisdiction of Sand City. The 100-foot corridor is also within the California Coastal Zone. This transformative project will close a key gap in the 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, which stretches from Pacific Grove to Castroville. By bridging this missing link, the trail will provide seamless, uninterrupted connectivity to the regional trail network—greatly enhancing access to parks, schools, workplaces, the military, and other key destinations for residents, visitors, and the broader community.
The proposed multiuse trail will span approximately one mile through the heart of Sand City and feature a dual-path configuration designed to safely accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians. In addition to providing an essential active transportation corridor, the trail will offer a variety of public amenities that support recreation, relaxation, and community gathering. Planned features include outdoor fitness equipment, dedicated seating and picnic areas, and thoughtfully designed landscaping to create a scenic green corridor, in a park-like environment.
The trail will also serve as a community asset, supporting local businesses, and visitors, and encouraging eco-friendly travel options while improving quality of life for Sand City and Seaside residents. The City has secured funding to complete project planning and design and is on track to initiate construction in 2027.
