15 Best Things to Do in Marina del Rey, California

May 24, 2020 - Updated

Marina del Rey, California is well known for being the coastal playground ofLos Angeles. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the easy access the town provides to the ocean, making Marina del Rey a hub for nearly every water activity. For those who prefer to stay on land can make use of the many coastal trails, breezy beaches, delicious restaurants, and seaside parks.

1.Marina Beach

Marina Beach, also known as Mother’s Beach by locals, is a man-made, family-friendly, kid-friendly beach in the town of Marina del Rey. The beach was developed as part of the town in 1957, and then officially dedicated later in 1965. Marina Beach offers a safer beach environment for children as there is no surf in the area for swimming. The sandy beach is about half of a mile in length and includes restrooms, showers, barbecue grilles, picnic areas, and volleyball courts. There is also a playground for kids, and several restaurants are a short walk away. Kayaking and windsurfing are also popular here.

4135 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

2.Burton W. Chace Park

The Burton W. Chace Park was established in 1972 in Marina del Rey and named after long-time Los Angeles County Supervisor and Father of the Marina, Burton W. Chace. The park is open daily to the public from 6:00am until 10:00pm and features view areas of the harbor, outdoor programs, picnic shelters, grills, picnic tables, multi-purpose room, and guest docks. It is also the site of several events throughout the year. Visitors can take a ride around the Marina aboard the water bus for a very small fee. Free summer concerts take place during the summer months.

13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 424-526-7910

3.Fisherman's Village

Fisherman’s Village is a tourist attraction, anchorage for commercial boats, and a waterfront mall in Marina del Rey. It includes the largest man-made harbor for small boats in the world, and is built in a style similar to a fishing village in New England. Fisherman’s Village consists of five vividly painted wooden buildings, commercial boat docks, a water fountain, a lighthouse, and a waterfront promenade. Attractions in the area include souvenir shops, public harbor ferry, cafes, restaurants, bicycle and boat rentals, live music, fishing cruises, harbor cruises, and much more. The waterfront promenade at Fisherman’s Village provides panoramic harbor views.

13755 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

4.Marina Del Rey Parasailing

Marina Del Rey Parasailing specializes in offering the one of the easiest, and safest watersport activities available, which is parasailing. Guests can take in awe-inspiring panoramic views of the Venice Beach Boardwalk, the Santa Monica Pier, and more from the sky. Parasailers are gently lifted in the air from the flight deck of the boat and up to their chosen altitude. Visitors can choose an altitude of either 500 feet or 800 feet during their ride. Flights with Marina del Rey are able to accommodate up to two or three people at one time. Observers are allowed if there is space.

13717 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 310-306-2222

5.Bluewater Sailing

Bluewater Sailing has been dedicated to international sailing adventures, skippered charters, bareboats, and sail education since the year 1978. The company provides live-aboard classes, sunset sailing, special events, skippered yacht charters, bareboats, island cruises, racing, seminars, private lessons, and corporate team building. Bluewater Sailing teaches people of all skill levels, from beginners up to world cruisers, offering some of the best instruction both in classroom and out on the water. They one of the country’s few facilities certified to teach the entire student range, along with national-level instructors. A variety of small group and private lessons are available, such as keelboat sailing.

13505 Bali Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 310-823-5545

6.Mojo Sailing Enterprises

Mojo Sailing Enterprises prides itself on being a great way to entertain guests, family, or clients from out of town. Southern California boasts some of the world’s best waters for cruising and the Santa Monica Bay offers some of the area’s best waters. Mojo Sailing Enterprises offers several sailing options year-round and beautiful surroundings. Morning sails offer a relaxing cruise as winds are light. The afternoon offers the best sailing for seeing the true performance of Mojo or to learn sailing basics. Sunset sails are timed perfectly to enjoy the sunset on the water at the city lights upon the return.

Marina del Rey, CA, Phone: 858-449-6802

7.Ballona Creek

It seems to be a general opinion of residents of Marina del Rey that the Ballona Creek path is perhaps one of the town’s nicest paths for cycling. Ballona Creek offers a breezy, scenic, and nice ride of a little over seven miles in length, beginning at National Boulevard and ending at the ocean. There are some interesting sights and small parks along the path as well. There is some free parking on the streets near most entrances to the Ballona Creek path. Entrances to the bike path are locked if there is a threat of substantial rain.

8.UCLA Marina Aquatic Center

The UCLA Marina Aquatic Center is the leading waterfront facility for recreation belonging to the university and only ten miles from the campus in the town of Marina del Rey. The center is home to windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, sailing, rowing, and kayaking classes. Open to both the local community and visitors, the Marina Aquatic Center offers equipment rentals, group programs, private and semi-private lessons, a fire put, amazing views of the sunset, barbecue grills, and more as well. No experience is needed for sit-on-top kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. The center is also home to several UCLA and community teams.

14001 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 310-823-0048

9.Marina del Rey Whale Watching

Marina del Rey Whale Watching is considered to be one of the best ocean wildlife viewing and whale watching tours in the Los Angeles area. Both local residents and visitors can climb aboard the “Big Whale” classic passenger vessel and enjoy the ride as the crew follow the seasonal gray whale migration during the winter, as well as have the chance to maybe see sea turtles, porpoises, sea lions, dolphins, giant mola mola, and minke whales throughout the year. Cruises with Marina del Rey Whale Watching depart from Dock 52 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

13442 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

10.Charters 2000

Charters 2000 in the town of Marina del Rey in California is a sailing company offering private boat charters for visitors and locals alike. These private boat charter can accommodate up to twelve passengers for cruises. Guests are allowed to bring anything they would like aboard the boat to drink or eat during the cruise. All captains with Charters 2000 are licensed by the United States Coast Guard. The company boasts that their 54-foot Irwin sailboat is the most comfortable of any sailboat under sixty feet. The sailboat has three bathrooms, outdoor and indoor seating, music system, a kitchen, and swim ladder.

13701 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 310-401-4175

11.C & O Cucina

C & O Cucina in Marina del Rey, California is a bit of a throwback Italian restaurant well known for their garlic rolls, singing servers, and generous portions. The walls of the main dining room are adorned with old photographs of Italian-American immigrants, along with those of famous Italian-Americans and old photographs of friends and family of the owners. The restaurant’s Rat Pack Martini Lounge is a good place for anyone wanting just a bite and a drink. C & O Cucina is open daily from 11:30am until 10:00pm, until 11:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Lounge opens at 4:00pm.

3016 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 310-301-7278

12.C & O Trattoria

The Singer family, owners of the C & O Cucina as well, first opened the C & O Trattoria in 1992 eight doors aways from the area’s famous Venice Pier. The eatery has now become a landmark of Venice Beach with both tourists from throughout the world and local residents. C & O Trattoria boasts a festive, friendly, casual, and fun atmosphere for gatherings with an aim of making guests feel at home. Part of what makes the restaurant so popular is its Honor Wine Bars, sing-a-longs, and most of all, its garlic rolls. It’s also famous for its large portions of Italian cuisine.

31 Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 310-823-9491

13.Baja Cantina

The Baja Cantina first opened to the Marina del Rey community in September of 1975 in a 1940’s building that was originally used as apartments for oil well workers. The building served as residences until around the 1960’s, eventually becoming the home of a number of small businesses. Originally a flower shop and hobby store, the Baja Cantina is now a popular Mexican restaurant with a sister location in Carmel Valley. Baja Cantina has now been serving delicious Mexican food and refreshing drinks for more than forty years. The restaurant offers weekly specials, including Happy Hour Monday through Friday.

311 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 310-821-2252

14.Beachside Restaurant & Bar

The Beachside Restaurant and Bar overlooks Marina Beach, or Mother’s Beach, and is a dining spot on the waterfront serving fresh California cuisine with peaceful views of the beach. The beachfront eatery offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a happy hour seven days a week, along with brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The dining room and redesigned bar open up onto the patio, offering a unique al fresco dining experience. The trellis-canopied terrace provides stunning ocean views and fireside seating. Daily happy hour specials at the Beachside Restaurant and Bar are available from 4:00pm until 6:30pm.

4175 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 310-439-3033

15.SALT Restaurant & Bar

The SALT Restaurant and Bar serves locally sourced, fresh, and seasonally inspired California cuisines for all meals of the day. The restaurant aims to inspire its diners with an innovative twist on the modern American cuisine. SALT has been voted as the best restaurant on the Westside for “Best Ambiance and Outdoor Dining” by OpenTable Diner’s Choice. The restaurant strives to create a feast for the senses with each course using seasonal ingredients from the local farmers market. The menu features simple favorites with a more contemporary twist, such as hummus with a touch of avocado and lobster on top of Udon noodles.

13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, Phone: 424-289-8223