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DayTrip: Marina Del Rey
Explore, sail, and eat
By Robin Jones | Photograph by Vanessa
Stump
Westways March/April 2010
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Kayaking in
Marina Del Rey
Unless you love to sail, you probably haven’t
thought about visiting Marina del Rey. But for an active day on the
water, there’s no better place. Sure, this harbor city has many
sailing clubs and provides a home for the local millionaires’ yachts,
but it’s also full of great areas to walk and bike along the ocean.
And there are plenty of ways to enjoy the water without getting in a
sailboat.
Explore
Rent a bike or skates at one of the vendors in Fisherman’s Village,
then head to the South Bay Bike Trail, a 22-mile oceanfront bike
strand that will take you north to Santa Monica
and south to Torrance. In
Marina del Rey, you can stop to enjoy the view at any number of vista
points. One of the best: Burton
Chace
Park
1, a 10-acre greenbelt that offers a view of the entire marina.
13650 Mindanao Way. The protected,
shallow waters at
Marina
del
Rey (or “Mother’s”) Beach 2 make it a perfect spot
to take small children for a picnic. There’s even a little playground.
4101 Admiralty Way. To the south,
the Ballona Wetlands 3, a wildlife sanctuary, is home to
many bird species. Park your bike and take an interpretive tour of the
freshwater marsh, salt marsh, dunes, Ballona Creek, and bluffs with
the
Friends of Ballona. 1-310-306-5994.
Sail
If you prefer water to land, you can rent electric boats, kayaks, jet
skis, and stand up paddleboards at
Marina
del Rey Boat Rentals 4, in Fisherman’s Village.
13719 Fiji Way. (310) 574-2822.
The
UCLA Marina Aquatic Center 5, also rents kayaks,
and it offers guided kayak tours—sunset/full-moon paddles and birding
paddles, among others—for reasonable prices ($35 and less).
14001 Fiji Way. 1-310-823-0048.
Eat
If you’re visiting on a Sunday, stop in at the marina-front
Café del Rey 6
for the fixed-price three-course brunch ($35), which includes
sparkling cider, champagne, or mimosas.
4451 Admiralty Way. (310) 823-6395. Experience
real Neopolitan pizza, baked in a wood-burning oven, at
Antica Pizzeria 7.
13455 Maxella Avenue
(second floor). 1-310-577-8182.
Please call to check hours and availability of
businesses, attractions, and events before you visit.
Marina del Rey Convention &
Visitors Bureau: 1-310-305-9545.
To reach Marina del Rey, take Interstate 405 to State Route 90 (exit
50A), then head west. For a free Los Angeles Central & Western Areas
map, visit your local Auto Club branch. Driving directions are
available
online.
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