Mother's Beach

Marina del Rey has a special beach of its own fondly called Mother's Beach. This 12-acre non-ocean facing lagoon is within walking distance of most hotels and several restaurants. Staffed by County lifeguards, the beach has no surf and is a safe and pleasant spot for a family outing. Closer to the ocean, the Marina's peninsula lets you get your feet wet in the Pacific and is ideal for walking.

Venice Beach

Point your toes north and you're in Venice Beach, famous for its Ocean Front Walk accessorized by engaging street performers, innovative vendors, lively cafes, 60s refugees and strutting Muscle Beachers. In this "Coney Island of the Pacific," it's always show time and, no matter who you are or where you're from, you will see things in Venice that you've never seen before - guaranteed, especially on weekends. Join the fun by renting a bike or roller blades.

Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica's beach is adorned with a made-for-fun pier that was originally built in 1909 and once hosted the La Monica Ballroom and Blue Streak wooden roller coaster. Today the famed Looff Hippodrome and its 1920s carousel, a National Historic Landmark, are the center of an amusement park that has it all, complete with a nine-story-tall, solar-powered ferris wheel and a five-story-high roller coaster. Santa Monica Pier may mark the end of Route 66 but it's your introduction to California's golden times, past and present. Only 3 miles north of Marina del Rey, the pier and its surrounding beach are open 365 days a year.

Marina Peninsula

This beach hugs the quiet residential area located south of the Venice Pier, parallel to the nautically named “alphabet’ streets stretching from Anchorage to Yawl. Quiet, sparsely populated, this beach is popular for those looking for more deserted stretches of sand.

Playa del Rey Beach

Playa del Rey is the Marina’s next door neighbor 2-1/2 miles to the south, a quiet tiny beach town with a 1960s feeling. The beach here is wide, white sand, and quieter than either Venice or Santa Monica. Walk into the nearby town for snacks and beverages. It’s an easy bicycle ride from the Marina.

Dockweiler State Beach

Located south of Playa del Rey, this inviting beach features three miles of shoreline and generous picnic areas. The wide white sand beach happens to lie directly beneath the takeoff path at Los Angeles International Airport, offering a unique perspective as beachgoers watch planes take off over the Pacific just 3-1/2miles south of the marina. The coastal bike path courses through the area, and it is one of the only beaches in the area with fire pits. A large RV park is located there, as are over 2,000 parking spaces.

Malibu Beach

Malibu, 8 miles north of the Marina, has its own allure, made famous by Beach Boys' songs and Bay Watch television episodes. Bring or rent a longboard, head to the legendary Malibu Surfrider Beach and paddle out to find the big one. Fish a while off Malibu Pier. Explore the 22 acres of Malibu Lagoon wetlands, flower gardens and sandy beach. Malibu covers some 21 miles of coastline along Pacific Coast Highway and is best explored by car.