sign up for updates about this project or community

Marina del Rey

Marina del Rey History

   In 1887, M.C. Wicks envisioned turning Playa del Rey inlet, the area around Marina del Rey, into a major commercial harbor. The ambitious developer invested $300,000 into the project, but he went bankrupt soon after.
   Not much was done with the inlet until 1936, when Congress authorized a study of the area in an effort to create Los Angeles Harbor. Although it lost the bid to San Pedro, developers soon realized that the inlet was a perfect location for a small craft harbor.
   In 1953, the state granted Los Angeles County a $2 million loan to assist in purchasing the new harbor site. Work moved into high gear the following year, when President Eisenhower signed a law marking the Marina del Rey harbor a federal project.
   Several years were spent developing the marina, which was plagued by damage from waves and winter storms. But after the construction of a breakwater in 1965, Marina del Rey was ready for business. Today the marina offers more than 6,000 recreational boat slips, and the small community is home to more than 5,000 pleasure boats and yachts.

Activities

   Marina del Rey is a boater's paradise. Every conceivable type of watersport is available, from boating and kayaking to windsurfing and whale watching. Bike and skate rentals are available to those who want to stay close to land, and Aubrey E. Austin Jr. Park and Burton W. Chace Park provide lush lawns and sunny spots for visitors and residents alike.
   The city boasts its own Fisherman's Village with shopping, dining and fine accommodations. Shoppers also can find bargains and specialty gifts at the Waterside Shopping Center, Marina Beach Shopping Center and Villa Marina Marketplace. Each Sunday, Lighthouse Plaza offers live concerts featuring R&B, jazz, Latin, pop and more.

Marina del Rey Fast Facts

   Location: Marina del Rey is located about five miles south of Santa Monica and 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles
  *Total area: 1.47 square miles (0.88 square miles land area; 0.59 square miles water area)
  *Population: 8,176
  *Housing units: 6,321
   Average annual rainfall: 13.27 inches
   Average temperatures: 57ºF in summer, 67ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There is one public school in Marina del Rey, the Westside Leadership Magnet School for grades K-12.

Beaches

Maps of Marina del Rey

sign up for updates about this project or community