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Seaside, California is a coastal city of around 32,000 on the Monterey Peninsula, sitting right on Monterey Bay just north of Monterey itself. California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is built on the former Fort Ord army base straddling Seaside and neighboring Marina, so the campus has a wide, open feel and students spread out across Seaside, Marina, Sand City, and into Monterey. You're steps from the bay here, with Monterey State Beach, the dunes, and the coastal recreation trail all close, plus the wider peninsula's parks and the famous regional aquarium nearby in Monterey. The weather stays cool and foggy off the ocean year-round, and the vibe is laid-back and beachy.
The city the campus sits in, residential and close to the beach, the obvious choice for a short commute and bay access.
Just north and also bordering campus on the former Fort Ord land, calm and coastal with newer rentals, popular with students wanting a quick drive in.
South of campus, more walkable and lively near its waterfront, suited to students who will commute for the city feel.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Seaside.
Monterey-Salinas Transit runs buses all over the peninsula, and CSUMB Otters ride free on every MST route with a valid student ID. The free passes cover campus, Seaside, Marina, Sand City, and trips into Monterey and Salinas. The Otter Trolley loops around campus and the nearby neighborhoods. For students without a car, the free MST network covers most of the peninsula.
The terrain is mostly flat near the coast, so biking works well, and the recreation trail along the bay is great for getting around car-free. Walking covers your immediate neighborhood. Students living close to campus or the coast can handle daily trips on foot or by bike. The flat, scenic coastal routes make cycling an easy everyday choice.
The Monterey Peninsula is fairly spread out, so a lot of CSUMB students keep a car. To reach the whole peninsula easily, or to beat the bus schedules, a car or a carpool with roommates helps a lot. Students who drive will find a vehicle useful for errands and trips across the wider area. For getting beyond the immediate neighborhood quickly, a car is the simplest option.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
The Monterey Peninsula is a coastal market, so rents aren't low and most students share. A room in a shared apartment or house around Seaside and Marina commonly runs about $900-$1,300/month per person, and nicer or more private setups push toward $1,200-$1,600/month. Splitting a larger place with several roommates is how students keep their individual share down here.
Browse student housing near each Seaside-area university.