Bike and skate
Daniel's
Offers a great selection of adult and children's bikes to tandems -- open most days. Call first.
Ritz Fitness Center
A bike rental option with competitive rates, generally open weekends.
Biking and skating are popular in Marina del Rey thanks to the flat, well marked bike trails through the Marina and beyond. Whether you have a couple of hours or a whole afternoon, the South Bay Beach Bicycle Trail provides over 20 waterfront miles of biking paradise.
If you have just an hour or two, ride along the trails through Marina del Rey. Have more time? Pack a picnic lunch many of the hotels will gladly help in this area and ride through the Marina, then head south to Playa del Rey Beach or north to world famous Venice Beach. The bicycle trail extends as far south as Torrance Beach and as far north as Will Roger State Beach in Santa Monica. Along the way there are hourly bike rental locations, restroom facilities, water vending machines and food concessions.
Spokes & Stuff
Offers a variety of bike options - usually open daily.
Boating
Marina del Rey Boat Rentals
An easy-to-use, man-yourself boat rental company that rents kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, powerboats and small sailboats by the hour. And also now offering jetski rentals.
UCLA Marina Aquatic Center
From windsurfing, surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rowing and sailing, UCLA Marina Aquatic Center offers both equipment rentals and extensive instructional and recreational boating programs. Open to non-UCLA community affiliates.
Boating, sports fishing, kayaking and whale watching top the list of aquatic pursuits in Marina del Rey. You'll find an array of rental operations strung along the waterfront with many conveniently located at Fisherman's Village. With nearly 20 Private Charter companies in the Marina del Rey area, they offer everything from bareboat rentals to yacht and sailing charters, corporate teambuilding events to social events and parties, to scattering ashes at sea.
Sailboat Shenanigans
A different kind of sail boat cruise for the wild and crazy, open minded folks out there. Dog friendly!
Marina del Rey Sportsfishing
Offers sports fishing trips for 1/2 or 3/4 day for halibut, yellowtail, calico bass, sand bass, barracuda and white sea bass. Rod rentals, tackle, bait, fishing licenses available. During the winter months on weekends, whale watching and wildlife tours are offered. Reservations required. Depart from Dock 52, where parking is free.
The Marina del Rey Visitors Center (http://www.visitmarinadel...) is open daily and can provide additional suggestions for activities 310/ 305-9545.
yearly events
There are several local events that occur yearly and should not be missed. They include:
Anglers Annual Halibut Derby Fun and challenging for anglers of all ages, this early spring event usually the first weekend in April or May awards prizes for catching the biggest fish on a rod and reel. Fishing starts Saturday at sunrise. Public weigh-ins held at Burton Chace Park at the end of the day. Divisions for adults and youth.
MarinaFEST Usually mid-June, a boat show and communitiy celebration. In-the-water boat show plus more on land, features hundreds of the newest and largest recreational boats. View million-dollar yachts, incredible sailboats and personal watercrafts, and all the marine accessories to go with them. Listen to the various westside high school bands at the festival featuring live solo and combined performances. Pier 44 and G Basin areas corner of Admiralty and Bali Way.
Summer Concerts in Burton Chace Park This popular series of evening concerts is set in Burton Chace Park, by the water. All concerts begin at 7PM and take place outside on the green, lasting about two hours. Thursdays feature Classical and Saturdays are Pops. All are free, and seating is first come, first serve. Bring low chairs or blankets and dress for the weather.
Old Fashion Day in the Park Sunday in mid-July; features displays of vintage yacht, antique classic cars, motorcycles, vintage steam engines and ship models. In Burton Chace Park; free.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade Usually the second weekend in December. Festively decorated boats illuminate the main channel in one of the Marina's most visually exciting events. The parade starts at 6PM Best viewing is at Burton Chace Park and Fisherman's Village.
New Years Eve Celebrations Waterside restaurants celebrate the coming New Year with special dinners and dancing. And on the water public boat charter companies feature special dining/dancing cruises or cocktail cruises to celebrate the New Years.
For more detailed information on these and other events, call or visit the Marina del Rey Visitors center, 310/305-9545.
hiking
Soaking up the sea air and sunshine is a way of life in Marina del Rey. Start with a stroll along Waterfront Walk, beginning at Mother's Beach Marina Beach, to get a feel for the community. Stroll pass waterfront hotels, restaurants, picnic areas, bike rentals and yacht clubs. View the boats, both large and small.
Another lovely area is at the south end of the Marina, along Fiji way, starting at the cobble stone paths of Fishermans' Village to the Ballona Creek path. Walk along the path, passing the UCLA Marina Aquatic Center and the various university rowing teams' paintings. Then heading along the Main Channel path to go towards the South Jetty. You can either walk out on the South Jetty watching the boats coming and going, or cross the bridge over the creek and head over to the white sand beach.
Along Admiralty Way is the Yvonne Brathwaite Burke Park, which features a walking path and an exercise par course area. Every hundred feet or so there are exercize boards to challenge your fitness level. Look overhead and you may find the various nesting areas of the herons or egrets in the large shade trees along the path.
At then end of Via Marina lies the tiny gem of Aubrey E. Austin Park where the North Jetty Promenade begins. You'll fine a lovely peaceful hideaway to walk along the North Jetty, watch the community sailing regattas at several of the outposts' benches, or to enjoy a picnic. There are several platform areas from which you can fish. Or, go a block north to the Marina Peninsula Neighborhood and follow the walking trail. This interesting coastal residential community is separated from the mainland by Ballona Lagoon, and is an attractive area to explore on foot. Besides the interesting architecture, there are residential gardens to admire and of course, bird watching.
beaches
If you're looking for a little sand and sun, try Marina Beach, also known as Mother's Beach for its safe features. This non-ocean facing sandy beach offers 12 acres of a public swimming, windsurfing and non-motored boating lagoon for kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and such. Staffed by County lifeguards, the beach has no surf and is a safe and pleasant spot for family outings. This sunny spot features a children's play area, public picnic shelters with barbeques, benches and tables, restaurants and bicycle rentals are nearby. A specially built ramp accommodates wheelchairs, and beach wheelchairs are also available.