Skip to content

MARINA DEL REY

Marina del Rey homes and life around the harbor.

Marina del Rey is an unincorporated Los Angeles County coastal community organized around a small-craft harbor, waterfront paths, beaches, and a strong mix of apartment and condo living.

At a glance

Marina del Rey at a glance

A quick read on the setting, housing mix, and everyday rhythm of the neighborhood.

01

Home to Mother’s Beach, known for its shallow and gentle waters

02

Rent kayaks, bicycles and boats

03

Variety of water sports/activities

04

15 Minutes to LAX

05

Minutes from Mar Vista, Venice and Playa Del Rey

Daily life

What it's like to live in Marina del Rey

Daily life can be as active or as quiet as you make it: a harbor walk, a paddle, a bike ride, or dinner near the water. The waterfront setting is the common thread, but buildings and pockets vary widely.

Interesting Facts About Marina del Rey

Marina del Rey, which translates to “harbor of the king” in Spanish, is the largest man-made marina in the United States. It spans 807 acres (half of those are underwater) and boasts over 4,600 small boat slips!

Ballona Wetlands
When Marina del Rey was built, more than 900 acres of wetlands were destroyed. The Ballona Wetlands is the only wetlands that remain here in Los Angeles, which makes them all the more special. Today, weekend tours are offered for those that want to explore as well as volunteer restoration days if you want to lend a helping hand in preserving the wetlands.

Fisherman’s Village
This darling seaport was inspired by a New England fishing village complete with cobblestone paths, colorful buildings, a lighthouse, gorgeous views of the marina, and charming restaurants and shops where you can rent water sports and activities. They often have free concerts most weekends to boot.

Burton W. Chace Park
Burton W. Chace Park, named after a Los Angeles County Supervisor who was known as father of the marina, made its debut in 1972. This lush oasis spans across 10 acres and offers lots of things to do thanks to its picnic tables, pergolas, beautiful harbor views, and events. In December, you can watch the annual Holiday Boat Parade and, in the summer, there are free outdoor concerts every week. Fun fact: Many television shows have filmed there including popular teen drama The O.C.

President John F. Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy signed H.R. 157 into law, officially creating Marina del Rey. With that blessing, the town was then dedicated on April 10, 1965.

Pelicans and Sea Lions
Marina del Rey has lots of thriving wildlife making it the perfect sightseeing spot for pelicans and sea lions. Catch them around the harbor and off the fishing docks, and don’t forget your camera!

Water Activities
One of our favorite things that Marina del Rey has to offer is an abundance of water-related activities. There are paddleboards, kayaks, yacht rentals, gondola rides, parasails, whale watching, beach bonfires, and so much more. It’s a water lover’s paradise!

Waterside at Marina del Rey
From organic grocery shopping to fine dining and spa services, Waterside at Marina del Rey offers a beautiful shopping experience just a stone’s throw from the marina.

Villa Marina Marketplace
If you need an excuse to shop or just something casual and fun to do on the weekend, the Villa Marina Marketplace is it. It features tons of shops, services, restaurants, and even a movie theater to enjoy with friends and family. Prepare to be entertained for hours!

Mother’s Beach
Marina Beach, also known as Mother’s Beach, is a man-made beach protected by the marina, so it is a safer spot for kids to swim or for you to enjoy water activities such as paddle boarding and kayaking. This little haven also features volleyball courts, barbecues, and picnic areas. We can spend all day here!

Community Favorites

Maui and Sons Retail

Maui and Sons is a go-to for all your skate and surfing needs. From wetsuits and surfboards to the coolest skateboards in town, you’ll find literally everything you need to ride waves both on land and sea.

SALT Restaurant & Bar

This contemporary California restaurant serves seasonally inspired dishes crafted with local ingredients. Dig into Maine lobster nestled atop Udon noodles or pork meatballs sprinkled with parmesan. The best part? You’ll enjoy beautiful views of the marina on the side.

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

If you want to treat yourself to a luxurious staycation, look no further than The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey hotel. Spend a weekend relaxing by the pool while enjoying marina views and getting pampered at the spa. Or, head out on the water to stand-up paddleboard, ride jet skis, or indulge in a romantic dinner cruise.

C&O Trattoria

C&O Trattoria is your fun, friendly Italian restaurant cooking up a variety of delicious pizzas and pastas (think chicken pesto pizza and penne arrabiata). The portions here are big so bring friends and family you can share with. And if you swing by during dinner time, prepare to use your vocals during their nightly sing-along. Oh, and don’t miss the “killer garlic rolls.” You can thank us later.

Baja Cantina

This delicious Mexican restaurant with cool vibes and funky California surfer décor to match is a Halton Pardee favorite for weekday happy hours. We love their margaritas! If you’re hungry, fill up on homemade guac and ooey gooey quesadillas.

Studio (MDR)

This Pilates-inspired strength training class is a great total-body workout with so many classes to choose from. Whether you’re a newbie or a pro who wants a tight and toned bootie and abs, there’s a class for you. The owner, Lisa, is so welcoming and will inspire you to come back. No wonder this is Tami, our CEO’s favorite!

Sunny Spot

This colorful and hip Caribbean bar is a fun spot to go to when you want to unwind with friends over cocktails and scrumptious food (we’re looking at you, double cheeseburger!). And did we mention there’s bottomless mimosas every day of the week? Enough said.

Marina del Rey Garden Center

Blooming in Marina del Rey for over 40 years, this lush location is brimming with a wide variety of plants from drought-friendly succulents to fresh citrus trees and non-GMO veggies and herbs. It’s a one-stop shop for all your gardening needs.

Killer Café

`Craving comfort food? Head to Killer Cafe where the food is, well, killer. Shrimp benedict and buttermilk pancakes are just some of the options. The American diner’s yummy food is complemented by a laid-back ambiance and Instagram-worthy views of the harbor. It’s also one of the few places in the city that stays open 24 hours.

Daniel’s Bike Rentals

From protective gear to tandem bikes, Daniel’s Bike Rentals is stocked with everything you need for a fun biking adventure with the whole family. We love biking around the marina on a Saturday afternoon. They even treat you to a free scoop of ice cream with an all-day rental.

YOGAQUA

This unique workout class teaches Vinyasa yoga while you are on a paddleboard floating on the waters of Mother’s Beach. If you’ve never paddle boarded, don’t worry. It’s open to all levels and during the first 30 minutes they’ll teach you the basics. It’s a relaxing and peaceful twist on the classic that allows you to enjoy the California sunshine while you flow.

Spa Soleil Massage

This peaceful oasis is where we come to unwind. Not only do they offer massages, they also have a menu of wellness treatments including cupping, aromatherapy, and reiki. Bonus: They also treat you to a soothing foot soak in herb-infused water, so you feel relaxed before your treatment even starts!

Cafe del Rey

This marina side restaurant offers views that can’t be beat. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic date night by the water or just whenever you’re craving coastal-inspired cuisine. The menu entices with things like wild Spanish octopus, lobster ravioli, and New Zealand lamb chops.

Jamaica Bay Inn

The charming Jamaica Bay Inn, nestled right on Mother’s Beach, is a boutique hotel great for a relaxing staycation. The island-themed decor makes it feel like you’re miles away from the city. Spend the day chilling by the pool while enjoying views of the marina and be sure to check out Beachside Restaurant on the property. We highly recommend their brunch menu, which features classics like crab cake benedict and French brie omelets.

Local intelligence

What Pardee watches in Marina del Rey

Value in Marina del Rey is shaped by more than bed and bath count. We look at the home’s exact setting, condition, lot and outdoor usability, active competition, recent sales, likely buyer, and the small location differences that can change how a property performs. A useful buying or selling strategy begins with that context, not a broad neighborhood average alone.

01

Recent comparable sales

02

Street-by-street value differences

03

Condition and renovation scope

04

Lot, privacy, and outdoor usability

05

Buyer demand and listing timing

06

Private and coming-soon opportunities

For sale now

Homes for sale in Marina del Rey

Browse current homes for sale in Marina del Rey. When Pardee listings are available, they appear first; otherwise, this section shows active listings in the area through the MLS feed.

Buying & selling here

What to know before you make a move in Marina del Rey.

For buyers

Buying in Marina del Rey

For buyers, the goal is to compare the features that matter in Marina del Rey: exact setting, property condition, access, and the tradeoffs that distinguish one opportunity from another.

For sellers

Selling in Marina del Rey

For sellers, the strongest plan starts with a clear reading of the property’s individual story, then aligns preparation, pricing, photography, launch timing, and outreach to the right audience.

Locations are approximate and shown for orientation only.

Location

Connected to the Westside

Where Marina del Rey sits in relation to the places people move between most.

Good to know

Marina del Rey schools

School assignment and program information can change and may depend on a specific address. We can help buyers find current official resources and identify the questions to ask while evaluating a home.

Good to know

Marina del Rey questions, answered

Is Marina del Rey a city?

Marina del Rey is an unincorporated Los Angeles County coastal community centered on its harbor. It is distinct from nearby Venice and Playa del Rey, with a housing mix strongly shaped by the waterfront.

Local read

Want a local read
on Marina del Rey?

Whether you are buying, selling, or just starting to compare neighborhoods, we can help you understand what matters here.

Secret Link