Marina Del Rey is a destination with a maritime focus: it is home to North America's largest man-made marina. It also features a scenic stretch of the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, which runs alongside more than 20 miles of iconic beaches. The combination of harbor, coast, and water activities offers different reasons to visit—from a bike ride or a visit to a park or beach to activities on the water. You can choose which aspect to focus on based on the specific activities you have in mind.
Harbor and Coastal Route
The Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail is a point of interest for anyone who wants to combine Marina Del Rey with the coast and cycling. The trail runs alongside more than 20 miles of iconic beaches, and Marina Del Rey has a scenic stretch of it. The route offers a different focus from a single destination such as a park or beach: it puts the coastal stretch front and center, while the places mentioned are specific destinations to visit.
The marina also shapes the character of the area. Its size and man-made construction make it a distinctive feature of Marina Del Rey; meanwhile, boat tours and water sports complement coastal cycling with activities on the water. When planning your stay, you can weigh these different options against each other rather than treating them as the same experience.
Park and Beach
Burton W. Chace Park covers 10 acres and extends into Marina Del Rey's main channel. The park has harbor viewpoints as well as picnic and barbecue facilities. This gives you two specific reasons to visit: the harbor views and a break for a picnic or barbecue. The park offers a different way to experience the area than a ride along the coast or an activity on the water.
Marina Beach, also known as Mother's Beach, is a man-made, family- and child-friendly beach. There is no surf in the swimming area. This gives the beach a distinct focus among the local water activities: swimming is front and center here, while cruises and jet skiing are different activities. You can choose between the beach, park, and boat tours based on the kind of visit you're looking for.
Tours on the Water and a Maritime Theme
Sunset Tours include cruises along the Los Angeles coast. Whale Watching Tours offer private whale-watching and nature trips; jet skiing is available in Marina Del Rey as a water sport. The options therefore differ by purpose: a coastal cruise, a private nature or whale-watching trip, or a water sport. If a particular tour is important to your plans, check its schedule and availability in advance.
Fisherman's Village is a replica of a New England seaport and fishing village. This replica adds a maritime theme alongside the actual harbor and water activities. It offers a different aspect to consider when choosing what to focus on: rather than a cruise or sporting activity, it centers on the depiction of a New England seaport and fishing village.
Plan for the Saturday Market
The Marina Del Rey Farmers' Market takes place year-round on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 14101 Panay Way, in Marina Parking Lot No. 11. Its hours make the market a specific Saturday option to consider when planning a weekend. Since schedules can change, check the current market hours before your visit.
This lets you tailor your search to your interests and decide which aspects of Marina Del Rey matter most for your stay.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Lancaster, Mission Hills, Norwalk, Baldwin Park, Gorman, Duarte, Montebello, Glendora.
For the broader travel overview: Los Angeles.
