Marina "Mother's" Beach

Marina Beach, known locally as Mother's Beach, is a sheltered sandy beach inside Marina del Rey harbor. Because it's tucked into a basin away from ocean swell, there's no surf. That makes it one of the calmest places on the LA coast to swim with small children, learn to paddleboard or launch a kayak.

For boaters and paddlers

The County lets hand-carried boats, such as kayaks, paddleboards, windsurfers and dinghies, launch here for free. You only pay the standard parking fee. It's the main free alternative to the trailer ramp on Fiji Way, and the County also offers dinghy and paddlecraft storage here (waitlist). From the beach you can paddle the calm basins and Main Channel. Stay well clear of powerboat traffic, keep to the edges of the channel, and remember the harbor is a 5-knot zone for everyone.

Facilities

Lifeguards watch over a roped-off swim area during daylight hours. There are restrooms and showers, a playground, volleyball courts, picnic tables and BBQ grills. An accessible 150-foot ramp runs to the water's edge, and beach wheelchairs are available through the lifeguard tower.

Water quality

Because the beach sits in an enclosed basin with little flushing, bacteria levels can be a problem, especially after rain. Check current water-quality results before swimming.