Labor Day Coastal Getaway in Marina del Rey

August 27, 2020

No matter your travel style, Marina del Rey is the top choice for anyone seeking a Labor Day coastal getaway in Southern California. As the largest man-made harbor in North America, L.A.’s Marina offers wide open spaces for you to roam—on land or sea!

No need to drive far if you who live in or near Los Angeles. Marina del Rey is just four miles north of LAX, next to Venice Beach. Tucked away on the Westside, the marina feels a hushed world away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Stay at our coastal-chic hotels and dine al fresco at restaurants with large outdoor patios and terraces. Marina del Rey is the closest waterfront playground for Angelenos seeking fun, on-the-water experiences such as kayaking, stand-up paddling, parasailing and more.

Are you active and need to stay on the move? Or do you and your quaranteam prefer to unwind and relax on vacay? Maybe glitz and glam are more to your liking. Read on to see how you can enjoy Marina del Rey based on your travel style.

Click here to view waterfront hotels for your Labor Day coastal getaway in L.A.’s Marina. And while you’re at it, check out weekend itinerary ideas listed here.

LOW-KEY & CHILL

The less planning, the better...if this sounds like you, then the following no-fuss activities are perfect for you.

Borrow a beach cruiser from your hotel and ride along the paved bike path toward Venice, a fun place to people watch! Walk down to Marina “Mother’s” Beach to laze the day away or enjoy a picnic at Burton Chace Park. Another easy thing to do: lounge poolside with a drink at your hotel.

An easy way to explore the marina is the WaterBus, an open-air water taxi available for $1 per person on Fridays, 1-5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Labor Day) from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. You can easily cruise around the harbor, spot sea lions and spend up to an hour on the water.

Waterfront restaurants in Fisherman’s Village with large outdoor patios are all open including Sapori Italian, El Torito and Whiskey Red's.

Restaurants throughout the marina offer takeout and delivery--easily done by phone or online. Click here to view restaurants currently open.

ON THE GO

Prefer to be on the move, seek endorphins and break a sweat? Marina del Rey has plenty of calorie-burning on-the-water activities such as kayaking, jet-skis, or stand-up paddleboarding. Rentals are available at Marina “Mother’s” Beach or Fisherman’s Village. For thrills 500 feet up in the air, book a parasailing excursion over the Pacific. Head out into the big blue for some deep-sea sportfishing action. For more adventurous excursions, private chartered yachts are available for spearfishing, surfing, scuba diving, whale watching and more.

Challenge your fitness level and sign up for a 90-minute lesson doing yoga on a stand-up paddle board with YOGAqua.

Make sure to refuel at local favorite dining spots such as Beachside, SALT Restaurant & Bar and Tony P's Dockside Grill during your getaway.

MUST DO SUNSET EXPERIENCE: The colorful sunset skies paired with sleepy sea lions on bobbing boats are best seen from the water. Book a sunset paddle tour with Paddle Method, ProSUP Shop or YOGAqua and enjoy a little workout before the day is over.

outdoor patio seating at Cast & Plow facing Marina harbor

LUXE & GLAM

Time to splurge, go big and have a fabulous weekend! If luxe niceties are more to your taste, L.A.’s Marina is the perfect getaway choice for you. Waterfront hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey feature guest rooms and suites overlooking the harbor. Don’t miss their farm-to-table restaurant, Cast & Plow boasting an outdoor terrace with private fire pit tables and stunning sunset views.

Tired of being on land? Join a champagne brunch cruise on the top deck of Hornblower Cruises where the marina views are stunning and bubbly keeps flowing.

Surprise your quaranteam family and charter a private yacht with your own skipper--a captain who drives the boat for you--for a half- or full-day sailing along the Pacific up to Malibu.

We highly recommend making reservations early to arrange customized on-the-water yacht charter experiences such as sportfishing, whale-watching and sunset excursions.

MUST DO SUNSET EXPERIENCE: Charter a sunset sail and arrange a gourmet catered meal from restaurants such as Cast & Plow, SALT Restaurant & Bar, or Sugarfish. Landlubbers can take in the golden California sunset from the rooftop of the Marriott Marina del Rey's Sinder Lounge open Thursday-Saturday, 4:30-10 p.m.