Stay, play and indulge in Marina del Rey*
By Carla Snuggs

I’m always looking for new destinations in California to explore and taking mini-vacations. I recently took a staycation to Marina del Rey and it did not disappoint! Marina Del Rey has amazing beaches, waterfront restaurants and hotels, lush spas, a wide range of luxury watersports and some really fantastic shopping. It’s only 4 miles from LAX, so it’s also a great place to visit on a long layover. If you’re in Southern California, stay, play and indulge in Marina del Rey.

Stay

Jamaica Bay Inn

Marina del Rey has six waterfront hotels. I had the opportunity to stay at Jamaica Bay Inn which is located right on Mother’s Beach. Jamaica Bay Inn truly lives up to its name; I felt like I’d escaped to Ocho Rios, but without the hefty price tag.

My room overlooked the pool and Mother’s Beach and had a very large patio for lounging, reading and relaxing with a glass of wine. I was very impressed with the Molton Brown bath amenities and the plush robes in-room. There’s a beautiful beachside pool, a fully equipped business center and a fitness center with everything you need to stay fit on the road.

You can enjoy BLD, brunch or cocktails at Beachside Restaurant & Bar (recently renovation in fall 2017). Enjoy its new indoor-outdoor bar and luxe patio lounge space. From Jamaica Bay Inn, you can walk to Abbott Kinney for shopping and Venice Beach is less than a mile away

Play

Parasailing and Paddle Boarding

Ready for an adventure? Head to Marina del Rey Parasailing. I was able to get a bird’s-eye view of Venice Beach, and Santa Monica and Malibu coasts. I also experienced an adrenaline rush like no other! My parasail ride was so smooth and breathtaking; the crew made us feel safe and secure. It had always been on my bucket list and it was so exciting! If kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are your thing, visit Pro SUP Shop at Mother’s Beach inside the parking lot of the Jamaica Bay Inn. It’s a great way to explore Marina del Rey. Pro Sup Shop offers group and private stand up paddle board lessons.

The Legend Yacht

Take a cruise on the The Legend Yacht. This vintage 70’ power yacht is the only yacht currently offering public coastal sightseeing cruises as well as private charter. Captain Skip took us up the Los Angeles coast past Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier and the Malibu coast and back to the Marina. Delicious light bites and beverages were served as we enjoyed our cruise. Captain Skip also took us on a tour of The Duchess Yacht.

Indulge

S.A.L.T.

S.A.L.T, located in the Marina del Rey Hotel, is an ideal place to indulge. This upscale, waterfront restaurant features locally sourced farm to fork dishes, beautifully presented. Our table shared avocado guacamole and a seasonal summer salad. I devoured the Halibut entrée and Prime Filet of Beef with a ridiculously delicious bordelaise. There’s also Cote de Boeuf (36 ounces of delicious dry aged prime beef)! The halibut was one of the most fresh and delectable I’ve had to date. If you see it on the menu, do not hesitate to order it. This hotspot has amazing cocktails and is a great location to mingle at the marina. I intend to return for brunch.

Tony Ps Dockside Grill 

Tony P’s Dockside Grill is a magnificent location for brunch. Grab a seat on the patio for  stunning views of the marina while enjoying bottomless mimosas with friends. They make one of the best Bloody Marys around. I paired my Bloody with jumbo lump crab cakes and a cobb salad, chopped and tossed in-house. I also highly recommend the Ahi Tuna Steak Sandwich with sweet potato fries – heaven! The portions are very filling. If you’re stuffed, but you still have a bit of sweet tooth, enjoy one of their mini shot glass desserts.When it comes to things to do in Marina del Rey, the options are endless. The next time I visit, I’m definitely going to rent a bike and cruise to Venice and Santa Monica.  

Check out my Marina del Rey Stories on Instagram

*Pro Tip: Flag down or text the Free Ride, a five-passenger electric shuttle, to get around Marina del Rey for free. 

What are you waiting for? Visit Marina del Rey.

*This blog post was sponsored by Marina del Rey Convention & Visitor’s Bureau