Car Rentals

Over 40 car rental agencies have offices around LAX. If you prefer to rent a car once you have arrived in Marina del Rey, nearly a dozen locations are available in the immediate Marina del Rey/Venice Beach area. Your hotel may also offer assistance in referring you to local car rental agencies.

Taxis

Taxis are best utilized when traveling short distances in one area, particularly at night, when other public transportation may be infrequent. Los Angeles’s large size makes taking a cab across town very expensive.

There are nine franchise taxi operators in L.A. who operate more than 2,300 taxis. Look for the official Los Angeles Taxicab Seal before entering any cab. You can't hail a taxi from the street, but you can telephone for a taxi, or ask that your hotel or restaurant arrange a taxi for you. Taxicabs bearing the seal are insured, have trained drivers and are regularly inspected by the City of Los Angeles. Any cab without the seal is a bandit cab with no legal authorization to operate in the City.

All taxis charge the same fare, which is $2.65 to begin (first 1/7 mile), plus $.35 each additional 1/7 mile or part. There is a $2.50 surcharge for all trips originating at LAX. All passengers ride for the price of one. For more information, click on Los Angeles Taxis.

To reach Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) customer service regarding complaints or commendations, please call 1-800-501-0999.

Sightseeing Tours

Local tour companies provide pre-packaged tours with pick up from your hotel. Your hotel concierge is a great resource for tour information, usually has a fistful of brochures to get you going, and will be happy to make reservations for you.

Several tour companies operate in the Marina del Rey area, including:

Amazing LA Tours (310) 587-2211 or toll free (877) 286-8752
Beverly Hills, Hollywood City Tour and Movie Stars’ homes, Getty Center, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland, San Diego, Tijuana shopping.

VIP Tours (310) 641-8114
Los Angeles city tours, night tours, grand tour of Los Angeles, Universal Studios Hollywood, Movie Stars’ homes, Disneyland, Getty Center, Sea World, Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific.

Public Buses

It’s easy to travel by bus from Marina del Rey to area attractions. Three city bus lines serve Marina del Rey with interconnecting routes:

Metro (MTA) (213) 922-6235
Santa Monica Blue Bus (310) 451-5444
Culver City Bus (310) 253-6510

Tips for riding the bus: There are many route options available to each destination. Research your plans, confirm your exact route, destination address, fare and transfer information before starting out on your journey by calling the bus lines directly.

Rates/schedules change frequently and without advance notice. Exact case fare is required; drivers do not carry change. Coins or bills are accepted as fare. Ask for transfers only when boarding the bus. If you are unsure of your stop, sit in the front of the bus near the driver in case you have questions.

Santa Monica Blue Bus is a great way to see the Westside. It can take you to Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, shopping at Third Street Promenade and Will Rogers State Beach just for starters. If you are feeling even more adventurous, then take the Big Blue to downtown for stops at the Music Center, Olvera Street, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Geffen Contemporary at the MOCA and innumerable other destinations of interest. Big Blue also connects you to LAX, Santa Monica Airport, Greyhound, Union Station and all Metro Rail Lines.

Big Blue offers regular fares at $.75; students and senior fares for those 62 or over are $.25. Pay only $1.75 for Line 10 and ride to downtown. Catch the bus in the Marina on Lincoln Boulevard at Fiji, Mindanao and Bali Way. For more information, call 310-451-5444, or click on Big Blue Bus.

The Culver City Bus Line carries riders on 44 buses across 25 square miles, encompassing the Westside communities of Marina del Rey, Venice, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Century City, Culver City, Palms, Westchester, Rancho Park and Mar Vista. You can connect to the MTA Green Line and Santa Monica Blue Bus. Fares run from $.75 for adults to $.50 for students and $.35 for the disabled and seniors. For more information, click on Culver City Bus Line.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) or “Metro” oversees 200 metro bus lines and three metro rail lines. MTA buses can get you almost anywhere. The standard fare for bus or train is $1.25 If your trip requires the use of more than one MTA bus line, you must pay the full fare for each line. Transfers between Metro (MTA) buses are not available.

Consider buying a Metro Day Pass for only $3.00 (Seniors $1.50), which is valid all day on Metro buses (only). If you board three or more times, you’ll save money over the single-fare price. You can purchase on the bus or at Metro Rail stations. Transfers to other bus lines are available for $.25 (Seniors $.10). For more information, click on MTA Metro.