Los Angeles, California Travel Guide
About Know the Neighborhoods Getting Around Attractions Hotels
Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals
Marina Del Rey
Mothers Beach at Marina Del Rey at dusk
Overview: Marina del Rey is perhaps L.A.’s most gorgeous seaside community. It’s a harbor community situated just south of Washington Blvd, which is the south end of the Venice area, and sits above Playa del Rey, another beach community. It is also west of Lincoln Blvd. Often called “The Marina” by the locals, Marina del Rey is a small beach community with a scenic peninsula and has the distinction of being the largest man-made small-boat harbor.
The Marina has plenty to offer as far as activities go. You can rent a kayaks, canoes, boats and stroll along the calm, beautiful harbor. Because the harbor is insulated on either side, the harbor’s current is mild. The Marina is also home to the Fisherman’s Village and is imbued with many tasty, elegant, waterfront restaurants.
Marina Del Rey Harbor in the morning
The main beach within Marina del Rey is known as Mother’s Beach, located at the northeast section of the harbor at Admiralty Way and Via Marina. Technically, Mother’s Beach is designation area Lot 10. Since the beach is geared towards families with swing sets, a monkey gym and mild current and since mothers make up a large majority of the beach’s visitors, the beach is referred to as “Mother’s Beach.” There is no sign that reads Mother’s Beach. The beach is a circular inlet created by Palawani Way and Panay Way harbors. You would take a left on Palawan Way off Admiralty Way.
Mother’s Beach doesn’t draw large crowds, even during the summers. Not like Santa Monica Beach. Mother’s Beach has a nicely paved blacktop pathway surrounding the circular beach/sand area. There is a a concrete path that starts from the center of the circular blacktop path, cuts through the sand and leads into the water. There is a little storage facility at the beginning of this path with a beach wheelchair. You must contact the lifeguard station to use the beach wheelchair.
Location: From Lincoln Blvd, the entrance to Marina del Rey are Bali Way and Mindanao Way. Take Admiralty Way around (north/right and then west) is off
Website: http://www.marinadelrey.com/
Parking: Panay Way and Admiralty Way both have handicap parking spots.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Mother’s Beach has a ramp that leads right into the water. Ask the lifeguard on duty for a beach wheelchair.
Getting There: www.bigbluebus.com, www.metro.net