PAGE 12 • SUMMER 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION SUMMER 2008 • PAGE 13
SAILING DESTINATION
Marina del Rey, California • Pat Reynolds
towns to the north are Venice and
Santa Monica, famous for their
nightlife and character. From Muscle
Beach in Venice to the Ferris wheel at
the Santa Monica Pier, these beach
towns are packed with attractions and
things to see and do.
Many boaters who pull into Burton
Chace Park head over to The
Warehouse, a uniquely decorated,
reasonably priced establishment with a
full bar that’s a short walk from the
park or Tony P. Dockside Grill, both
with great waterfront views. There are
quite a few spots to patronize within
walking distance of the park. Finding a
place to eat is never a problem in
Marina del Rey.
As for local cruising, Los Angeles is a
deep-water paradise. As you head out
past the breakwater limit, it’s all just
This arial view of Marina del Rey shows the many high-end vessels in the area. Photo by
straight down. There are very few reefs
Robert Landau (Below) A kayaker glances back at the vessel under sail following.
or rocks to consider once you’re a few
miles out to sea; and, in the summer,
In the other direction, south, sailing
you’re all but guaranteed a mild breeze
towards the Palos Verdes peninsula can
Fisherman’s Village Marina offers beautiful sailing with quaint sights.
and 75-degree day. Obviously, there are
also be a beautiful sail. There are
Photos courtesy of Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau
exceptions, but it is an amazingly
towering brown cliffs and the area is
consistent environment from July
often a great place to spot whales
through September.
depending on the time of year. This
past summer, endangered blue whales,
B
eyond the Kodak Theater where
Southern California coast, Marina del Burton Chace Park to get acclimated.
Hollywood’s hottest stars walk
Rey is a great destination or charter- It’s a lush, handsome seaside park with
Where to sail
the largest animal on the planet, were
the red carpet under the rapid-
origination spot with endless a cafe, showers and bathroom facilities.
As you head out past Marina del
seen constantly off of the L.A. coast.
fire flash of a thousand cameras on
opportunities to stay stimulated on After a long day on the Pacific, the
Rey’s breakwater, you can see
Oscar night and past the opulence of
both water and land. green lawn of Burton Chace Park is an
Malibu’s Point Dume towards the
Things to do ...
Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, there is
inviting place to be. Once the boat is
north. For a short daytrip where you
Beyond sailing, keeping busy in The
another face of Los Angeles far less
If the plan is to fly in and do a little docked, people are showered and
can drop the hook, Paradise Cove is
Marina isn’t hard to do. Party boats like
famous and far more tranquil. It’s
bare-boat chartering, Marina del Rey everything’s put away – it’s time to
just a little north of the point.
Hornblower Cruises & Events offer
Marina del Rey, something of a secret
has a good number of options. Blue check out the town.
Paradise Cove is a popular, but not
regularly scheduled dinner-dance harbor
to many travelers, but a jewel for those
Water Sailing, Marina Sailing and Blue
usually too crowded, nearby
cruises, Sunday champagne brunches
who discover this quaint little seaside
Pacific Boating all have fleets with a
Food and drinks
destination that’s a great spot to have
and sunset cruises, as well as specially
village.
range of shapes and sizes to choose
a little lunch and relax. Most anchor
themed cruises for holidays. There is
from. These companies and another,
There are few places in the country
about a half-mile off the pier. Along
windsurfing, kayaking, surfing, scuba
the way, you can see the Hollywood
diving, and rowing from UCLA Marina
Nestled in L.A.’s West Side, Marina del
Golden West Yachts International, also
where you’ll find so many restaurants
sign nestled in the Hollywood Hills,
Aquatic Center, hourly kayak, sail,
Rey boasts being “America’s largest
offer private skippers, if learning the
in such a small area. There are 60 full-
the Santa Monica Pier - a landmark
power and electric boat rentals from
man-made harbor,” but beyond the
local waterways isn’t in the vacation
service restaurants packed into less
that’s been in countless movies, and,
Marina del Rey Boat Rentals, and
moniker is a tight-knit boating
plan.
than a two-mile radius. The town is
legendary for the quality of its eateries
as you head up Mailbu’s coastline,
regularly scheduled seasonal ferry
community with a small town charm,
the spectacularly lavish homes of
service to Catalina Island.
pride and personality. Known simply as
If the idea is to sail into Marina del
and weekend waterfront brunches, but
Tinseltown’s elite.
“The Marina” to boaters all down the
Rey, most pull into the guest docks of
if you choose to venture past the
boundaries of Marina del Rey, the next continued on next page
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13