Location: Marina del Rey
Top Things to do in Marina del Rey
Top 10 Things to do in Marina del Rey, United States
Marina del Rey is an unincorporated seaside community and census-designated place (CDP) in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A Westside locale, the population was 8,866 at the 2010 census. Fisherman's Village offers a view of Marina del Rey's dominant feature, the Marina, the world's largest man-made small craft harbor with eight basins having a capacity for 5,300 boats and is home port to approximately 6,500 boats. The harbor, the Los Angeles Times said in 1997, is "perhaps the county's most valuable resource".
Restaurants in Marina del Rey
1. Santa Monica Pier
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
This bustling wooden wharf is the place to be, with its eateries, shops, high-tech arcade, roller coaster, giant Ferris wheel and other rides, famous 1922 indoor merry-go-round and fantastic views of the bay and the mountains.
Reviewed By Rose R - Preston, United Kingdom
Visited Santa Monica recently the pier was a must very vibrant full of interesting stalls musicians and planes to eat. It's old with wooden wallkboards giant Ferris wheels rides for the kids and something for everyone and it's free to go
2. Marina Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 307 reviews
Reviewed By DoctorRetired - Los Angeles
This is a lovely man-made beach. The further you walk from what is known as the Venice Pier, the more isolated the beach. It is quite beautiful. Aside from some planes leaving LAX in the distance, you can see the sailboats, etc. as the come out from the marina. This is not a place for people who want to be near goods and services. If so, stay near the pier or walk into older Venice Beach proper, which is crowded, noisy, but has tons of shops and restaurants. The best of the are is the Santa Moncica Pier, but again packed with tourists and things to do. If you want a nice, quite beach, then park in the lot and find yourself a private spot in an oasis.
3. 26-Mile Bike Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Starting at the Santa Monica pier, this is a popular path for biking, jogging and in-line skating along the Pacific Ocean.
Reviewed By rsulliva - Calgary
Riding the beachside bike path is wonderful and infuriating. You got pedestrians who walk 5-abreast, people who wobble frantically all over the place and think it's funny, families who put young children on bikes and think we can see them when they suddenly dart over the yellow line. We witnessed a child get badly hurt when they just jumped out onto the path in front of a cyclist under a bridge. There was no way the cyclist could have stopped in time. If you're one of those people who thinks the rules of bike safety don't apply to you - do everyone a favour and stay off the bike path.
4. Burton W. Chace Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
This beautiful 10-acre park is one of the crown jewels of Marina del Rey, jutting out into the Marina's main channel. Offering what may be the best vista point in the area, this is a great spot for walking, picnicking, and gazing out at the deep blue water, boats and Marina. Open daily. Located at the western end of Mindanao Way.
Reviewed By Donna W - Marina del Rey, California
Best place to view boat parades and this central park puts on summer concerts that are very popular, the concerts are free and the park is free (not the parking) but it is also where the visiting yachts can find overnight guest slips. Lots of shade and sun for your family outings. Find out the schedule at the Chamber of Commerce in Marina del Rey.
5. Marina Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By blackie411 - West Orange, United States
Located at the very end of a man-made marina, this is a no surf "beach". The tides make the water level rise and fall, but at no time is the guarded and roped and buoyed section so deep as to make a parent concerned their children are in danger. There are lifeguards during operating hours.
There's plenty of sand to spread out on, as well as many BBQ grills for public use. Parking is close and inexpensive.
There are plenty of food locations in the immediate vicinity, but these are more sit-down restaurants than walk-up stands. That may be a negative to some. There's an adjacent farmer's market on Saturday and free yoga classes on Sunday.
You can also take kayak and paddle board lessons, as well as rent equipment, if you're already experienced, though I doubt the experienced would find much challenge at this location. Maybe it would be a good location for someone with little experience looking to hone their skill.
6. Annenberg Community Beach House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
The Beach House is a unique community destination, open to all, no membership required! With spectacular views, splash pad, playground, gallery, Marion Davies Guest House, beach courts & fields, community & cultural events, seasonal pool, classes for children and adults, free wi-fi, and more, there's something for everyone to enjoy! The Beach House grounds are open daily, including the playground, splash pad, beach area, courtyard, view deck, and volleyball courts. The site upon which the Beach House now sits was originally developed during the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies. The Davies estate, designed by architect Julia Morgan, featured a mansion of 100-plus rooms, three guest houses and an ornate marble swimming pool. Learn more about the Beach House history on a tour of the last remaining Guest House with a Santa Monica Conservancy docent. Classes for adults include yoga, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Beach Volleyball, and Synchronized Swimming. Children can to learn to swim, play beach volleyball, and beach soccer! Our historic pool is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, during the summer pool season, and requires an admission fee. Between October and May the pool is closed. We will occasionally open the pool on warm weather weekends or holidays.
Reviewed By Trave2leverywhere - Raleigh, North Carolina
No matter how you enjoy the beach, they have it all. There's a pool, restaurant, wonderfully maintained walkways to the beach, nice changing facilities, equipment rentals, etc. The beach itself is a very deep, level and clean. It's one of the nicest beaches we've ever been to. We will return here over and over!
7. Fisherman's Village
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 252 reviews
Fisherman's Village is a replica of a New England seaport and fishing town. Stroll the harborfront to enjoy views of the Marina. Shop for souvenirs, rent a boat or bike, dine outside at waterfront restaurants and cafes. Harbor and dining cruises available. Free weekend afternoon concerts. Open daily; validated parking. From Admiralty Way, turn right on Fiji Way.
Reviewed By Leaving_Samsara - Hampton, Virginia
Marina Del Rey is beautiful, but this location is a struggle place if there ever was one. Unfriendly restaurant owners and a terrible public bathroom make for a terrible stop on a whirlwind tour. Fisherman's Village was my least favorite stop on my tour.
8. Ocean Avenue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 601 reviews
Reviewed By dsj5777 - GREEN BAY
We walked along Ocean Avenue which is lined on one side with businesses and restaurants and on the other by Palisades Park. The park has lots of a great views of the ocean and Santa Monica Pier as well as beautiful trees and flowering plants. Yes, there are homeless in spots but no one bothered us and the area was kept very clean. Usually some street performers near the road down to the pier.
9. Santa Monica State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Kayla G
The Beach is not a bad place, it's full of great apparatuses, sandy beach, and public showers. Although I would recommend if planning to swim into the ocean to go somewhere farther than the Santa Monica Pier, considering all the waste thrown down into that part of the ocean.
10. Marina del Rey Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Stop by the Marina del Rey Visitors Center to get information and assistance on hotels, restaurants, area attractions, events, walking tour brochures, and transportation. The center is located at the corner of Admiralty and Mindanao Way, and is open daily except New Years, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Reviewed By gamma_C_69 - Melbourne, Australia
A not so obvious visitors centre with not so helpful information. The staff in here were nice enough but they really couldn't help us with anything we wanted to do . I'm sure they are great for things really local to the marina itself but really had no idea about how to get to anything beyond the immediate vicinity . Loaded up on brochures and bus timetables and headed off to fend for ourselves . They were kind enough to call us a taxi
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