Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
203
Good Day, Marina del Rey
The coastal playground of Marina del Rey offers several new reasons to spend
a day taking advantage of its harbor-side location. Chief among them ar e the
surf and harbor
kayaking excursions
now offered by the c ounty. Lifeguards
will give you all the instruction you need and then send you off to explore the
calm marina's wildlife-filled basins for the day (at $30 for all the equipment, it's
a real bargain). There's also a new
Bird-Watching Experience
within Bur ton
Chace Park. The 2-hour walks explore the fresh and saltwater marshes, nesting
sites of the g reat blue and black cr owned night her ons (for reservations for
kayaking and bird-watching, call the park at
&
310/305-9595
). Kayaks, power
boats, jet skis, sailboats, and pedal boats are also available at the
Marina Boat
Rentals
(
&
310/574-2822
).
After an alfresco lunch on the elevated deck overlooking the harbor at
Cafe
Del Rey
(p. 110), head over to the
Fisherman's Village,
rent a bicycle at
Dan-
iel's Bic ycle Ren tals
(
&
310/980-4045
), and spend the af ternoon cruising
alongside the docks on the South Bay Bicycle Trail. If it's a Thursday or Saturday
during the summer, arrive early for a good seat at the
free classical, jazz, and
pop concerts
held at 7pm at Burton Chace Park. After the show, end your fun-
filled day with a romantic dinner overlooking the harbor at the
Jer-ne Restau-
rant + Bar
within the Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey (p. 72). For more information
about Marina del Rey activities, call the
Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors
Bureau
at
&
310/305-9545
or log on to www.visitmarina.com.
7
HERMOSA CITY BEACH
This very wide white-sand beach is one of the best in
Southern California and my fav orite. H ermosa extends to either side of the pier and
includes The Strand, a wide, smooth pedestrian lane that r uns its entir e length. M ain
access is at the foot of P ier Avenue, which is lined with inter esting shops and cafes with
outdoor seating. There's plenty of street parking, as well as restrooms, lifeguards, volley-
ball courts, a fishing pier, playgrounds, and good surfing.
REDONDO STATE BEACH
Popular with sur fers, bicy clists, and joggers, R edondo's
white sand and ice-plant-carpeted dunes ar e just south of tiny King H arbor, along the
Esplanade (S. Esplanade Dr.). Get there via the Pacific Coast Highway (Calif. 1) or Tor-
rance Boulevard. Facilities include restrooms, lifeguards, and volleyball courts.
9
GOLF, HIKING & OTHER FUN IN
THE CALIFORNIA SUN
Bisected by the S anta Monica Mountains and fr onted by long str etches of beach, Los
Angeles is one of the best cities in the world for nature and sports lovers. Where else can
you hike in the mountains, in-line skate along the beach, swim in the ocean, enjo y a
gourmet meal, and then take in a pro basketball, soccer, hockey, or baseball game—all in
the same day?
