Following the madness of LA’s busy tourist sites, spend some downtime lazing on and around the brilliant blue waters of LA’s upscale Marina del Rey, home to LA’s chic boating crowd

Picture the scene… a harbour full of fancy yachts gleaming in the sunshine, beautiful sandy beaches, a smart waterfront dotted with great restaurants and bars serving delicious cocktails, and an array of outdoor activities and water sports awaiting you. What more could you ask for? Situated to the West of LA between Venice Beach and Playa del Rey (four miles north of Los Angeles International Airport) is Los Angeles’ Marina del Rey, a marina and beachside community that lives up to its name as the ‘Marina of the King.’

The whole area covers 807 acres, half of which is on the water. It’s the yachting hot spot of the region attracting both local and overseas boating enthusiasts as well as those looking to get a taste of the boating lifestyle. In fact, some of the most luxurious yachts on the Californian coast have a home here, including the yachts of the rich and famous. The gently rippling waters offer endless possibilities, from chartering a private yacht for the day, sailing off into the sunset on a cruise or taking the plunge with a kayak or jet ski.

Off the water, you can sun yourself on the beaches, eat and drink to your heart’s content then hire bicycles to work it all off, or go for leisurely walks around the parks and waterfront taking in the stunning array of docked yachts. You can also explore the eco-friendly Ballona wetlands on the southern edge of the marina, made up of hundreds of acres of salt water and fresh water marsh and populated by pelicans and other seabirds. Keep your eyes out for the seals too, lazily basking in the sunshine.

There are numerous dining options around the marina to satisfy every taste but Mendocini Farms comes highly recommended for its fresh, locally grown produce and ‘fine dining’ take on sandwiches – think gourmet concoctions served between thick slices of crispy artisan bread.

If you plan to stay in the area you can choose to do it the Californian way by renting a condo overlooking the water or lodge in one of the luxury beachside resorts or more modest harbour side inns. The five-star Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey boasts one of the nicest pools in the whole of LA while the Jamaica Bay Inn offers a more relaxed, tropical vibe.

www.mendocinofarms.com

ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/MarinadelRey/Default.htm

www.jamaicabayinn.com

Charter a Yacht

There are around 6,000 sail and power yachts, large or small, available for private or skippered charter at various points around Marina del Rey.

Blue Pacific Boating offers private half-day, full-day and overnight skippered charters as well as bareboat rentals www.bluepacificboating.com

Similarly Blue Water Sailing offers private sailing charters and bareboat rentals of 14- to 45-foot vessels as well as organised coastal and harbour cruises by day or sunset. www.bluewatersailing.com

If you’re feeling amorous, you can even rent a 32ft Italian gondola for a romantic sunset jaunt around the bay complete with pillows, music, oil lamps and the option of dinner and drinks. www.gondolasdamore.com

There are also a variety of small tour boats available that will take you on a guided tour of the waters explaining the history of the area and pointing out the celebrity yachts. Shuttle water buses are also on hand to transport you between the marina’s major areas including Fisherman’s Village, Dolphin Marina, and the north and south jetties.

If you’re a novice looking to get behind the helm for the first time, there are a variety of classes and courses available at the numerous yacht clubs and sailing schools Try Del Rey Yacht Club (www.dryc.org/) or California Yacht Club (www.calyachtclub.com).

Venturing Further Afield

Venture further up the coast a few blocks from the main marina and get a taste of Italy done the Californian way at the Venice Canals. The twee neighbourhood features a maze of waterways and quaint bridges inspired by Venice. Alternatively take a good read and head south 2 ½ miles to Playa del Rey, a sleepy beach town and pristine strip of beach.

You can also take your chartered yacht (or hop on the ferry) across to Catalina Island for the day or overnight. Located some 22 miles southwest of the coast of LA, the postcard-perfect island only stretches 21 miles and offers quiet sandy beaches, luscious greenery and crystal clear waters in which you can go snorkelling or scuba diving exploring the surrounding reefs, aquatic life and historical shipwrecks. And the best bit? The island is virtually car free and most people get around by golf buggy or bicycle, making it a welcome relief from LA’s infamous freeways.

For more information, visit Marina Del Rey’s website www.visitmarinadelrey.com

Images Sourced from Marina Del Rey’s Website Media Section.