Marina Del Rey, CA

There's nothing like catching a sunrise, a wave, or simply feeling the soft sand between your toes in Marina del Rey, California. But if you're looking to venture out, there are a host of picturesque beaches nearby that offer a blend of tranquility, activities, and history. Grab your sunscreen, as we embark on a sunny journey from the closest to the farthest beach from Marina del Rey.

Often dubbed as the "Coney Island of the Pacific," Venice Beach is merely a short walk from Marina del Rey. This iconic beach, famous for its vibrant boardwalk, is a perfect melange of street art, performers, and vendors. Parking can be found in several lots near Ocean Front Walk, with a daily rate ranging from $5-$15. The Venice Beach Boardwalk is wheelchair accessible, promising an inclusive experience for all.

Next, just a 10-minute drive north, we find Santa Monica Beach. This beach's hallmark is the iconic Santa Monica Pier with its nostalgic Pacific Park amusement park. It offers ample parking in the Pier Deck and beach-level lots. Access to the beach is made easy with paved pathways for wheelchairs and strollers. Founded in the late 19th century, the beach is steeped in rich history and has been a beloved backdrop in several Hollywood movies.

This gem, named after the famous actor and humorist Will Rogers, is just under a 30-minute drive from Marina del Rey. Will Rogers State Beach offers an escape from the typical crowds, perfect for sunbathing or volleyball. Parking ranges from $6-$12, and the flat sand makes it easily accessible for everyone. Notably, it's the shooting location for the 1960s television show, "Baywatch."

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Venture a little farther to the world-famous Zuma Beach in Malibu. This expansive beach is loved for its excellent surf, stunning sunsets, and scarce crowds. Ample parking is available for a fee of $8-$15. The wide, flat sand here makes accessibility easy. Zuma Beach has stood the test of time, offering unspoiled beauty since its public opening in the 1940s.

Finally, located at a slightly farther distance is the stunning Point Dume State Beach. This beach offers a unique blend of sandy shoreline, rocky cliffs, and secluded coves. Parking is available on Cliffside Drive. While the trail to the beach can be challenging for some, the views atop are unmatched. This beach holds historical significance as a sacred place for Native American Chumash people.

From the bustling scene of Venice Beach to the serene beauty of Point Dume State Beach, Marina del Rey has a stunning selection of nearby beaches to explore. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to soak up the sun, dive into the history, and let the Golden State's shoreline sweep you off your feet!

A temporary marine mammal “resting zone” has been set up in Marina Del Rey to address the impact of the largest toxic algae bloom ever recorded off Central and Southern California’s coast.

Sea life specialists and volunteers from the Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC) are working tirelessly inside a makeshift 50 by 50-square-foot fenced area near the shoreline at Charlie Beach. Officials report that there are currently eight sea lions suffering from domoic acid poisoning, which is a neurotoxin produced by the bloom of toxic marine algae called Pseudo-nitzschia australis. The toxin can cause seizures and heart failure by attacking the brain and heart.

At a press-conference held on Thursday afternoon, Councilwoman Traci Park was joined by Los Angeles city, county and wildlife officials including John Warner, CEO of MMCC and Gary Jones, Director of Department of Beaches & Harbors to discuss the marine mammal crisis.

“We’ve seen [marine mammal] events that have been really bad in the past, but nothing quite like this,” Warner told the Current. “It’s a rare occurrence to see a neurological toxin where the symptoms are very severe and you see these animals in absolute distress all over the beaches where they normally don’t haul out because of them being so populated. This is a very new phenomenon.”

According to Warner, it all started at the end of May when wildlife officials at MMCC began seeing the effects of the toxins on marine life. By the end of June, the San Pedro-based organization was at maximum capacity with 120 “marine mammal patients,” which is 100 more than the center treats in a year. Warner said that within a two week period, they received over 1000 calls from locals reporting marine mammals in distress.

The sea lions are disproportionately affected by the neurotoxin as they regularly consume large quantities of shellfish as well as small fish, which eat the deadly algae. The heart and brain damage is in direct proportion to the amount of infected fish the mammals consume.

A full-time veterinarian is currently delivering treatment that consists of seizure medication as well as supplying fluids to the sea lions in effort to wash out the toxins. In addition, the sea lions are isolated from human contact in order to provide them with a restful “stress-free environment.”

According to Warner, immediate treatment can, within the span of 72 hours, prevent further brain issues such as memory loss. While algae blooms have been known to last from 4-8 weeks in the past, Warner said the MMCC is currently awaiting a status update on future blooms from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with the hopes that the worst has passed.

Park raised concerns over recent reports of local beachgoers approaching, petting and taking photos alongside the sea lions.

Marine Mammal Care Center’s sea lion resting zone at Charlie Beach in Marina Del Rey. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for the public to be aware of what’s happening with these animals and to have some respect for them if they see them stranded on your local beaches and jetties,” Park said. “If people do see a sick or stranded animal, it’s important to keep a safe distance.”

Warner, Park and Jones delivered a call to action requesting volunteers to aid in the rescue as well as donations that will go towards the assembly of more resources including paying off $500,000 of unforeseen rescue costs.

“We need people to volunteer to help identify stranded animals, to help educate the public about what’s happening and help us keep these animals safe while they rest and recover,” Park said.

Warner and Jones praised Park and city officials for rallying the community and thanked the “wonderful neighbors” for volunteering.

“I’ve never seen the government act so fast and responsive in my entire life,” Warner told the Current. “While the wheels of government tend to churn very slow, this has been amazing. It’s very clear that people in Southern California love their ocean, beaches and their creatures that are a sense of joy for all of us.”

Magnolia Lafleur

Special to the Daily Press

The 90-freeway in Marina Del Rey is a vestigial roadway left over from a bygone era’s freeway expansion boom and like an appendix or wisdom teeth, a new group thinks the community would be better if it were removed.

What is now the Marina Freeway began life as the Slauson Freeway in 1947 and was supposed to connect the coastal community to Anaheim however, construction was never finished leaving the two disconnected western and eastern portions with some 40ish miles between them. Now, a partnership between a design firm and alternative transit advocates has proposed demolishing the three mile western portion and using the reclaimed land as park space with about 4,000 affordable housing units on site. Proponents envision keeping minimal car lanes on the site and transforming the majority of the land into a new pedestrian/bike focused area.

“Marina Central Park is a massive opportunity for LA, currently one of the most park poor, and housing poor counties in California. It would reconnect a currently divided street grid with new access to Centinela Creek, a new linear path and green space, the existing Ballona Creek trail, and the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve,” said the website announcing the project.

The idea comes from design company SWA and Streets For All, a nonprofit that advocates for a less car-centric culture in Los Angeles.

According to SWA, the busiest intersection along the Marina del Rey freeway, where it crosses 405, sees about 79,000 cars per day. That puts the road in the second of five tiers when it comes to usage, with most intersections reporting more than 160,000 cars per day.

While the plan seems far-fetched, it has already garnered support from a handful of local officials including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas.

Bass sent a letter to the Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg asking for federal money to study the idea.

“Tearing down the Marina Freeway, which sits on 100 acres of right-of-way with 50 acres of concrete and steel, represents an opportunity to address past harms, build housing, and create community space for all Angelenos,” she said. “As currently envisioned, Marina Central Park would be one of the largest parks in the Los Angeles region. It is my understanding that this project would provide nearly 4,000 units of new housing – including potentially 100% affordable housing – and mixed-use development, which can reduce vehicle miles traveled. It would address community access to much-needed open space with connected paths, jogging trails, a dedicated bike path, a bus rapid transit corridor, and dedicated lanes for limited car use. Lastly, it would help restore access to and re-naturalize Centinela Creek to improve a community asset that can be enjoyed by the community.”

Bass is supporting a request for $2 million to pay for a feasibility study.

Proponents said they would include public outreach should they find the cash for a study and that it would likely take two years to complete. Their ball-park estimate for the entire project would be about a decade start-to-finish.

For more information about the concept, visit https://www.marinacentralpark.com/.

editor@smdp.com

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Attendees celebrated with VIP guests, toured the new DISC Surgery Center at Marina del Rey, and enjoyed special, hands-on demonstrations.

Kristien Brada-Thompson, Community Contributor

Over 350 local doctors, athletes, celebrities and business leaders descended on Marina del Rey for a special cocktail reception co-hosted by DISC Sports & Spine Center and Modern Luxury Angeleno. The event, which took place last Thursday, celebrated LA’s 2023 class of Castle Connolly-ranked “Top Doctors” while giving attendees a first look at the region's newest ambulatory surgery center (ASC).

Festivities began with a tour of the new DISC Surgery Center at Marina del Rey, a custom-built, 11,000-square-foot outpatient facility that will greatly expand LA’s access to next-level minimally invasive spine surgery, orthopedics and pain management. Attendees were the first to see the ASC’s two state-of-the-art operating rooms with Zeiss microscopes and NuVasive’s Pulse platform, a PACU bay, four private patient rooms (including a luxury suite), family lounge, private consult room and modern waiting room, a facility designed by Taylor Design and constructed by Cannon Building. Watch videos about the new ASC and event HERE.

The party then opened up into the spacious courtyard separating the new ASC from DISC’s existing clinic, where lively music, cocktails, an ice-sculptured raw bar and other delicious light bites awaited guests. Red Bull’s Athlete Performance Center provided additional drinks beneath their tents while partners NuVasive, Globus Medical, Zeiss and Lucid Motors provided hands-on demonstrations.

After Modern Luxury Angeleno toasted LA’s Top Doctors, DISC founding director Robert S. Bray, Jr. and CEO of parent company TriasMD James H. Becker thanked the evening’s sponsors and special guests and shared their vision behind the new ASC.

“Simply put, our mission is to take the great care that Dr. Bray and team have been delivering for years and scale it to the right places so more people can take advantage of the superior quality and excellence,” Becker told the crowd.

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DISC’s renowned team of physician partners include pioneers in minimally invasive spine surgery, orthopedics and chronic pain management. Their work has been instrumental in helping pro athletes and others get newer motion-preserving surgeries like artificial disc replacement that help them return to action both more quickly and safely.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

From the moment you step into Marina del Rey, the fresh sea breeze, picturesque landscapes, and a welcoming community ensure you're home. The seaside city is a hidden treasure tucked away in the Westside of Los Angeles County, offering endless opportunities for residents to explore, unwind, and make memories. Here's why Marina del Rey is the perfect place to drop anchor.

Exceptional Culinary Scene

Marina del Rey's dining scene offers a rich palette of world flavors. Enjoy fresh, sustainable seafood at Fisherman's Village's waterfront restaurant, Whiskey Red's. Visit Mendocino Farms for a delectable range of artisanal sandwiches or the famed Killer Cafe for their all-day breakfast and diner classics.

Stunning Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor lovers are spoilt for choice in Marina del Rey. Burton W. Chace Park offers picnic tables, barbecues, and multi-purpose rooms. The park also hosts summer concerts and movie nights. For those who fancy a relaxed afternoon, Marina "Mother's" Beach is a great spot to enjoy a quiet picnic or to paddleboard.

Active Lifestyle and Wellness

Residents enjoy a health-centric lifestyle in Marina del Rey. Marina Fitness Club offers top-notch gym facilities and diverse fitness classes. For a more serene exercise routine, the Marina del Rey yoga studio, Yoga Nest, is a calming space to unwind.

Retail Therapy

Marina del Rey's shopping scene is thriving. The Waterside at Marina del Rey is a premier open-air shopping center that hosts an array of upscale boutiques and popular retail brands. For daily essentials and grocery shopping, there's the Villa Marina Marketplace.

The Boater's Paradise

Marina del Rey isn't called the Marina of the King for nothing. It is the largest man-made small craft harbor in the United States, with capacity for over 5,300 boats. With yacht clubs like the Del Rey Yacht Club and Pacific Mariners Yacht Club, sailing enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant boating community.

Awe-inspiring Festivals and Events

The city is buzzing with year-round activities. The Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series offers music lovers the chance to groove to live performances in the park. Also, don’t miss out on the MarinaFest and Boat Show showcasing an array of boats and promoting ocean preservation.

Living in Marina del Rey is like being on a never-ending vacation where every day is an opportunity for a new adventure. Its scenic beauty, vibrant lifestyle, and close-knit community truly set it apart. Whether you're a foodie, an outdoor enthusiast, a shopping aficionado, or a boating lover, Marina del Rey is a place where everyone can find their corner of paradise.