Five years ago, Marina del Rey's boundless seaside relaxation wasn't adjoined to the commercial trappings of a busy shopping center. But now ripe with free events, scenic dining locations and spaces for recreation, it has become one of LA's most well-known oceanside communities. "It's a really exciting time for this community, there's a lot to look forward to," says Michael Mackavoy, Community Library Manager for the Marina del Rey Library branch. "It's a great community for retirees, new families and young people." Of course, peaceful moments are plentiful too. Steve Wagner, owner of The Villa Serena film studio, still comes down to the marina to unwind. “The marina is like our second home. It's a whole new atmosphere; as soon as you arrive, the air is full of positive ions. The hustle and bustle disappear.”
Sip on a coffee from Alfred and watch the sun go down over the marina in Marina Del Rey, CA.
Eat your lunch with an ocean view in Marina Del Rey, CA.
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Free concerts at Burton Chace Park
Marina Del Rey is practically a seaside park in and of itself. "You have all these yacht clubs around, and then you come out in the afternoon to see kids learning to sail at the clubs, which is really cool to see," says Mackavoy. Many residents and LA locals go there for a walk around the promenade, ending their leisurely strut at Burton Chace Park. Easily the marina's crown jewel, it's where most free public events occur, such as a summer concert series. Heading the opposite direction along will eventually bring travelers to the white sands of Mother's Beach, a protected inlet at the base of the marina.
Go for a walk in the sun around the harbor in Marina Del Rey, CA.
Walk your dog through Burton Chace Park in Marina Del Rey, CA.
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Sunsets and sushi rolls at KazuNori
Marina Del Rey houses a gastronomical field day ripe with stunning views. "If I'm meeting family members from out of town, I take them to SALT Restaurant & Bar in the Marina Del Rey Hotel," says Mackavoy. "It's a great place to sit, especially around sunset." The Warehouse is another popular upscale eatery on the water that serves expertly plated seafood dishes and craft cocktails. Just south of that is KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar, where locals become mesmerized by careful preparation of scallop rolls and other sushi. There's also chain options, like a location for Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen. For groceries, a Trader Joe's is right down the road from Burton Chace Park, though some go for bigger deals at a Costco Wholesale less than a mile east.
KazuNori is a favorite spot for sushi hand rolls in Marina Del Rey, CA.
KazuNori and several other restaurants sit right on the water's edge in Marina Del Rey, CA.
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Frequent festivals and book-loving dogs
Whether indoor or outdoor, Marina del Rey has many free events, such as Old Fashioned Day, where visitors admire a lineup of vintage yachts and cars. But the annual MarinaFest, "That's the big one," says Mackavoy, referring to its many free activities, such as ship tours, live music, and kids activities. The Marina del Rey Library also has programming for people of all ages, such as relaxing origami workshops, children's story time and the popular Read to a Dog program. "Gidget and her handler are our usual attendees. She's a really sweet dog and loves to be read to," says Mackavoy. "And it's a great experience for the kids because they're getting a chance to read aloud."
Get an Ethiopian cup of coffee from the Farmer's Market every Saturday in Marina Del Rey, CA.
The Marina Del Rey Farmer's Market is located next to Mother's Beach in Marina Del Rey, CA.
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Luxury condos with ocean views
Most residents find a home in a condominium, often one with ocean views and loaded with amenities. Those along the marina, which back out to the promenade and boat slips, can sell for anywhere from $350,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit to $4 million for ultra-spacious floorplan, plus private abuilding amenities such as tennis courts, fitness centers, concierge services and garage parking. All-day sunlight is afforded to many of these units, which feature south-facing windows with unobstructed views. Between the marina and the ocean, smaller, denser-packed buildings include more condos and single-family homes. These maintain similar prices, with most beginning at around $2 million and maxing out at around $4.5 million. The key difference with these, however, is that although they might not have private amenities and south-facing windows with unobstructed views, their proximity to the ocean is immediate. Furthermore, their stylings are classically Californian, whereas those along the marina are more traditional in appearance.
Find luxury apartment buildings along the water in Marina Del Rey, CA.
Residents of Marina Del Rey have a great view of the marina.
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Water buses and beach shuttles
Residents can make faster trips across the marina by using the local water bus, which stops in eight locations. If looking to hit the Pacific, a beach shuttle service is offered. But many residents rely on a car for trips outside of the marina, though some rely on the city bus routes and bike paths that encircle their community.
The Beach Shuttle is a great way to get around during the summer months in Marina Del Rey, CA.
Take a variety of public transportation in Marina Del Rey, CA.
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Diverse schools accommodate many dialects
Marina Del Rey students begin school at nearby Coeur d'Alene Avenue School, which has a Niche score of A-minus. Next comes Marina Del Rey Middle, which has a C-plus score. The last step is Venice Senior High, which has an A score and is distinguished for its dual language immersion program for Mandarin and Spanish-speaking students.
Coeur D'Alene Avenue Elementary building.
Marina Del Rey Middle School in Los Angeles, CA.
Venice High School serves students 9-12th grade.
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Things to consider
The marina's location wedged between major roads and Ballona Creek means congestion affects everyday life. Residents are often boxed in by traffic, although multiple means of transportation nearby make this less of an issue for some residents. Busy roads also mean more noise, especially for those that are closest to Lincoln Boulevard. Marginally higher than average crime rates are also noteworthy for Marina Del Rey. The community has a CAP Index score of 5 out of 10 — one point above the national average — because of a higher trend of nonviolent crimes, particularly motor vehicle thefts.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
