Marina del Rey is one of the best places to spend a day on the water in Los Angeles.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime local, the marina offers outdoor
experiences most people in LA don’t know exist — from paddling past sea lion colonies
at 8:30am to sailing Santa Monica Bay at sunset. Here are the 15 best things to do
in Marina del Rey, ranked by a team that has been on this water every day since 2010.
I’ve spent the last 16 years working on the water here. I run [Paddle Method](https://paddlemethod.com), a stand up paddle board instruction and activity company based at Mother’s Beach. In that time, I’ve watched thousands of people discover Marina del Rey for the first time and leave saying the same thing: “I had no idea this was here.”
Here are 15 things worth doing – from the obvious to the ones only locals know about.
1. Paddleboard with Sea Lions on a Marina Discovery Paddle
Hands down the most unique thing you can do in Marina del Rey. The Marina Discovery Paddle combines a proper stand up paddleboard lesson with a guided wildlife exploration through the marina’s hidden channels. You’ll learn to SUP from scratch (no experience needed), then paddle past colonies of California sea lions, dive-bombing pelicans, great blue herons, and if you’re lucky, dolphins.
What makes this different from a regular paddleboard rental is the expert instruction. Led by Tim Sanford, LA’s most experienced ASI-certified SUP instructor with 15 years of teaching, you’ll actually learn how to paddle properly — a skill you can take anywhere in the world. The 8:30 AM session offers the calmest water and best wildlife viewing.
Duration: 90 minutes. Includes all premium gear. Ages 14+.
Price: From $61/person for groups, $125 solo.
Book at paddlemethod.com or call (310) 770-7291.
➡ Read our complete guide: Paddleboard with Sea Lions in Marina del Rey
2. Walk the Ballona Creek Trail
This paved path runs along Ballona Creek from Culver City all the way to the ocean, ending right at the marina. It’s flat, wide, and almost always less crowded than the main beach bike path. Birders love it – the creek and adjacent wetlands attract herons, egrets, pelicans, and dozens of migratory species.
The stretch closest to the ocean opens up with views of the marina on one side and the Ballona Wetlands on the other. It’s one of the few spots in LA where you feel like you’ve left the city entirely.
Best for: Runners, walkers, cyclists, birders, anyone who wants quiet.
3. Saturday Morning Farmers Market
Every Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM, the farmers market sets up on Panay Way near Mother’s Beach. It’s smaller and more manageable than the Santa Monica market, which means you actually get to talk to the vendors and sample without being shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists.
You’ll find local produce, flowers, baked goods, honey, and usually a few prepared food stalls. Grab a coffee and pastry, then walk over to Mother’s Beach to eat with your feet in the sand.
Best for: Weekend mornings, date mornings, picking up fresh food before a paddle.
4. Sunset Cruise or Dinner Cruise
Multiple operators run sunset and dinner cruises out of the marina. The views of the LA skyline turning gold and then pink from the water are hard to beat. Some boats include dinner, some are BYOB, and there are options from budget-friendly ($30-40) to full luxury.
The best time of year for sunsets is late fall through early spring when the air is clearest and the sun drops straight into the Pacific.
Best for: Date night, visiting friends and family, celebrations.
Sunset Paddleboard Tour
There are a lot of ways to watch a sunset in LA, but paddling into one on the calm waters of Marina del Rey is something else entirely. The Sunset Discovery Paddle launches from Mother’s Beach as the sky starts to turn gold. You’ll cruise through the marina channels, watching sea lions settle in for the evening and pelicans return to their roosts, as the light shifts from blue to gold to pink.
Great for date nights, friend groups, or anyone who wants a memorable evening on the water. Some paddle experience is helpful but not required.
Book at paddlemethod.com — schedule varies with sunset times.
5. Rent a Duffy Electric Boat
Duffy boats are the slow, quiet, electric-powered boats you see puttering around the marina. They hold 10-12 people, require no boating experience, and you can bring your own food and drinks onboard. It’s basically a floating living room.
Cruise the main channel, pull up to waterfront restaurants, and wave at the paddle boarders. Several rental companies operate out of Fisherman’s Village and along Fiji Way.
Best for: Groups, parties, families, anyone who wants to be on the water without getting wet.
6. Explore Burton Chace Park
This 10-acre park juts out into the main channel and feels like a little peninsula. It has one of the best viewpoints in the entire marina – you can see boats coming and going, the breakwater, and on clear days, Catalina Island.
The park hosts free concerts in the summer (Thursday and Friday evenings), Fourth of July fireworks, and the Holiday Boat Parade in December. Even on a random Tuesday, it’s a great spot to sit on the grass with a book or take a walk along the water.
Best for: Picnics, free summer concerts, watching boats, finding a quiet moment in LA.
7. Paddle to the Sea Lions
This is the one most visitors miss. There’s a colony of California sea lions that hauls out on the dock floats and channel markers throughout the marina. You can see them from land in a few spots, but getting there by paddle board is a completely different experience.
On a guided Sea Lion Tour (https://paddlemethod.com/paddleboard-tours-excursions-in-los-angeles/), you’ll paddle through the marina channels, learn navigation skills to safely share the waterway with boats, and get within 20-30 feet of sea lions lounging, barking, and occasionally slipping into the water right next to you.
It’s one of those experiences that makes people put their phones down and just be present. Then they pick them up again because the photo opportunities are incredible.
Best for: Animal lovers, families with older kids (14+), photographers, Instagram content.
8. Bike the Marvin Braude Coastal Trail
The 22-mile paved bike path runs from Pacific Palisades to Torrance Beach and passes right through Marina del Rey. The marina section is one of the best stretches – flat, smooth, and with water views on both sides as you cross over Ballona Creek and along the harbor.
Rent a bike (or e-bike) from one of the shops near Fisherman’s Village and ride north to Venice Beach and Santa Monica, or south toward Playa del Rey and the bluffs above Dockweiler.
Best for: Cyclists, families, tourists who want to see a lot of coastline in a few hours.
9. Waterfront Dining at Fisherman’s Village
Fisherman’s Village is a waterfront shopping and dining area on Fiji Way that looks like a New England fishing town dropped into Southern California. The restaurants range from casual seafood to sit-down waterfront dining with marina views.
On weekends, there’s often live music, and the village is the departure point for several boat tours and whale watching trips. It’s also where you’ll find the cute lighthouse that shows up in everyone’s photos.
Best for: Casual dining, weekend strolls, boat tour departures, souvenir shopping.
10. Whale Watching from a Paddle Board (December – April)
Between December and April, gray whales migrate along the Southern California coast, passing through Santa Monica Bay. Most people see them from a boat but you can also see them from a stand up paddle board.
Being at water level when a whale surfaces nearby is a completely different experience than watching from the deck of a 60-foot vessel. You hear the exhale. You see the barnacles on the skin. Your heart rate goes through the roof and then drops into the calmest you’ve felt in months.
This isn’t something you do on day one. You’ll want some paddle experience and ocean comfort first. But for anyone with intermediate skills or anyone willing to work up to it through a [lesson progression](https://paddlemethod.com/beginner-lessons-2/), it’s the kind of experience people talk about for years.
Best for: Adventurous paddlers, bucket list experiences, anyone who loves wildlife and the ocean.
Learn about whale season Malibu paddle tours at (https://paddlemethod.com/paddleboard-tours-excursions-in-los-angeles/)
11. Morning Coffee at a Hidden Gem
Skip the chains and walk to one of the local coffee spots along Washington Boulevard or Admiralty Way. The morning light in Marina del Rey is special the water reflects it everywhere, and the air has that clean, salt-tinged quality that makes coffee taste better.
A few local favorites include the cafes near the Waterside shopping center and the smaller spots tucked into the side streets between Lincoln and the marina. Ask any local paddle boarder where they go after a sunrise session and you’ll get the real list.
Best for:Mornings, pre-paddle fuel, post-paddle reward.
12. SUP Yoga and Fitness on the Water
If you’ve done yoga in a studio and you’ve done stand up paddling, combining them is the logical next step. Several instructors operate on the calm water at Mother’s Beach, offering vinyasa flow sessions on paddle boards.
It’s harder than it looks (your core has to work constantly to maintain balance), more rewarding than you’d expect, and the setting – floating on the water with the sun and the breeze – makes every pose feel different than it does on land.
Beyond yoga, SUP fitness classes use the board as an unstable training surface for full-body workouts. It’s low-impact, burns 400-700 calories per hour, and doesn’t feel like exercise because you’re on the ocean.
Best for: Yoga practitioners, fitness enthusiasts, people bored with the gym.
13. Watch the Holiday Boat Parade (December)
Every December, the marina hosts a boat parade where dozens of yachts and sailboats deck themselves out in holiday lights and cruise through the main channel. Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village are the best viewing spots, and both fill up early.
It’s free, festive, and very LA – think holiday spirit meets marina lifestyle with a lot of creative lighting. Bring a blanket, something warm to drink, and arrive early for a good spot.
Best for: Families, holiday traditions, photography, free entertainment.
14. Kayaking Through the Marina
If paddle boarding feels too adventurous for your first time on the water, kayaking is a great alternative. Single and tandem kayaks are available for rent and let you explore the same channels and sea lion spots at your own pace.
The marina’s protected waters mean you don’t need experience, just a willingness to paddle and a dry bag for your phone.
Best for: Couples, people who prefer sitting down, anyone nervous about balance.
15. The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
Right next to the marina sits one of the last remaining coastal wetlands in Los Angeles County. The Ballona Wetlands are home to over 300 species of birds and serve as a critical habitat for migrating wildlife.
Walking trails wind through the reserve, and guided nature walks are offered regularly. It’s a surprising pocket of wildness right next to one of the most developed stretches of coast in California.
Best for: Nature lovers, birders, families, and anyone who wants a free outdoor activity.
Ready to Explore Marina del Rey?
The best way to experience Marina del Rey is from the water. Paddle Method has been turning people into paddlers since 2010, and we offer everything from beginner lessons to advanced ocean tours.
First time? Start with the Marina Discovery Paddle — learn to SUP and explore the wildlife. No experience needed.
Want to rent? Grab-and-go SUP rentals available daily at Mother’s Beach.
Looking for a unique date or group activity? Try the Sunset Discovery Paddle.
Ready to commit? Join the Paddle Method Club for weekly paddles and community.
Book online at paddlemethod.com or call (310) 770-7291.
➡ Paddleboard with Sea Lions Guide
➡ Wildlife Paddleboard Guide
➡ Your First Paddleboard Lesson
➡ Why Marina del Rey Is the Best Place to Paddleboard in California
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best thing to do in Marina del Rey?
A: The most unique experience in Marina del Rey is a guided paddleboard tour at 8:30am on the calm marina water. You’ll paddle past sea lions, explore the marina’s eight channels, and see the LA coastline from a perspective most visitors never experience. Paddle Method’s Marina Discovery Paddle departs daily and is suitable for all skill levels.
Q: Is Marina del Rey worth visiting for a day trip from Los Angeles?
A: Absolutely. Marina del Rey is located just minutes from Venice Beach and Santa Monica, making it an ideal day trip or half-day stop. The marina offers paddleboarding, sailing, waterfront dining, and wildlife encounters — all in a calm, accessible setting that’s very different from the busier beaches nearby.
Q: What outdoor activities are available in Marina del Rey?
A: Marina del Rey offers paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, guided wildlife tours, stand-up paddle lessons, sunset paddles, and group paddle party events. Paddle Method operates daily experiences from the marina including the 8:30am Marina Discovery Paddle and 10:30am SUP Lesson — both designed for beginners and all fitness levels.
Q: When is the best time to visit Marina del Rey?
A: Early morning — between 8am and 10am — offers the calmest water, best wildlife activity, and least boat traffic. This is when Paddle Method’s signature Marina Discovery Paddle departs. Marina del Rey is a year-round destination with mild weather in every season. October and November are particularly beautiful with warm water and minimal crowds.
