Page 106 - 2018 Travel Guide to California

MARINA DEL REY
LA’s own Waterworld, enjoyed out on the waves
or from a restaurant window
»CRUISE, FISH,
PADDLE, DINE!
Marina del Rey
Visitor Information
visitmarinadelrey.com
SUNSET COCKTAIL CRUISE with
Hornblower, above; parasailing at Marina
del Rey, below.
A QUIET, UPSCALE OASIS between
busy, bohemian Venice to the north and
chaotic LAX just four miles south, Marina
del Rey is best-known for its man-made
small-craft harbor, the largest in the
country with eight basins and nearly 5,000
boat slips. Water makes up nearly 42 per-
cent of the 1.5-square-mile community. The
variety of fishing trips, harbor tours, dinner
cruises, private yacht charters, kayaking
and stand-up paddling make this unincor-
porated patch of Los Angeles County one of
Southern California’s favorite nautical play-
grounds. Mesmerizing harbor views from
almost all of its restaurants make water-
front dining a close second among Marina
del Rey’s attractions. Even better, they offer
year-round outdoor dining.
Just over 50 years ago, this was an estuary
fed by fresh water from Ballona Creek; it was
frequented only by local duck hunters and
fishermen. First envisioned as a major
commercial harbor in 1887, it suffered bank-
ruptcy, governmental recalcitrance and two
104 2018 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
B Y C H R I S T I N E D E L S O L
world wars before being realized in 1965. A
remnant of the wetlands remains in the Bal-
lona Wetlands Ecological Reserve.
Although the Pacific coastline and
adjacent strip of land west of the harbor
technically belong to the city of Los
Angeles, Marina del Rey offers the small,
serene and rarely crowded Marina Beach
(or Mother’s Beach), at the foot of Basin D.
The clean sand, water sports and play-
ground make it especially popular with
families. Landlubbers can enjoy views of
passing watercraft from the walking path
or picnic tables at Burton Chace Park,
along Basin H. An ever-expanding lineup
of park events includes free summer con-
certs and movies, and a lighted boat
parade during the holidays.
Venice is just next door. Visitors can
shop and dine on the popular Abbot Kinney
Boulevard or go to Venice Beach and people
watch at the world-famous Venice Board-
walk, where eccentric characters bike and
rollerblade every day.
MARINA DEL REY CVB