Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey is the world's largest small craft harbor. It is an upscale community known for its fine dining, beaches, and incomparable oceanfront. It is located in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, which is the area north of Ballona Creek, east of Via Dolce, south of Washington Blvd, and west of Lincoln Blvd.
Marina del Rey did not have an easy development; in order to be a popular tourist and water sports destination, the marina went through bankruptcy, mother nature, government reports, and two World Wars.
In 1887, M.C. Wicks, a real estate developer, had a dream of developing the Playa del Rey estuary into a major commercial harbor. Wicks' Ballona Development Co. proactively invested $300,000 for development but after three years filed bankruptcy.
Later, in 1916, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers further declared that it would be impractical to turn the inlet and basin into a major harbor. Another attempt was made in 1936 as well as a year later by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Eventually, Marina del Rey was not considered for the creation of Los Angeles Harbor, instead it went to San Pedro. After this, the marina's concentrated destiny would be to become a recreational small craft harbor. Planning came to a standstill during World War II but the Corps of Engineers reported that a recreational harbor would be feasible.
The marina endured even more obstacles, there were construction delays, and heavy damage from winter storms at the grand opening day of operation. It was necessary to construct a breakwater and in January of 1965 the Marina was successfully completed.
The housing in Marina del Rey is mostly condominiums located around the harbor with beautiful marina views that were built after 1960. Single-family properties are located in the south and north ends of the marina proper. The south end features new constructions with access to the beach and bike path. The north end features bungalows and vintage cottages.
Marina del Rey offers the highest amount of restaurant seating in a one square mile area, more than 6,000 recreational boat slips, numerous boat launching ramps, view piers and a promenade, 1,900 feet of guest boat docks, and 180 feet of public fishing docks.
This community is easily accessible via any mode of transportation. LAX is located only fifteen minutes away, train passengers can arrive at Union Station which is only thirty minutes away, or visitors are more than welcome to arrive by boat!
Marina del Rey offers fun and exciting recreational activities for people of all ages. Whale, seal, dolphin, and sea lion watching can be done at any time of year but most particularly during the months of January through March. Sport fishing can be done on one's own or through a specializing company for half a day or three quarters of a day. Fisherman's Village offers sights to be seen and restaurants to dine at. There are free weekend concerts in the afternoon as well. If you love the outdoors, walk, skate or bike along the 26 mile path that runs from Malibu through the beach cities to Palos Verdes known as the South Bay Bicycle Trail. If you're craving some home cooked BBQ head out to Burton Chace Park, located at the end of Mindanao, where barbeque grills and picnic tables scatter the 10 acres. Admiralty Park offers weekend art shows where you can find a one-of-a-kind art piece. And last but not least, Mother's Beach offers a safe and secluded area to get your feet wet. It is Marina del Rey's very own beach which is a 12 acre lagoon with a lot of white sand and no surf.
Data provided by Onboard LLC. Community Report for: Zip: 90292 in MARINA DEL REY.
This is an unincorporated city comprised mostly of sail loving people who either live in condos, apartments or on their boats. Construction of the marina breakwater was formally dedicated in 1965.
Resources & Links:
- Marina del Rey Guide
- Local School Links
- Crime Statistics
- Southern California Home Sale Activity
Los Angeles home sales data, organized by ZIP code. Updated monthly. - LA County Online
- The Los Angeles Times
Online version of the local periodical. - KCRW
National Public Radio station, based at Santa Monica College. - MovieLink/777-FILM
Local movie listings and show times. - ArtScene
Guide to California's museums. - National Park Search
Great National Parks link. - California State Parks
Highly recommended. - Yahoo! Neighborhood Profiles
For neighborhood demographics, cost of living and quality of life.