Playa Del Rey Beach
Playa Del Rey Beach
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Playa Del Rey Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Playa del Rey
Best nearby
Restaurants
495 within 3 miles
Attractions
322 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
59 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
22
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Indah Edlightz
Ontario, Canada4,060 contributions
Oct 2021
I would totally add Playa del Rey beach and area to your list of places to visit during your LA stay. First off.. its very close.. you don't have to drive far for same beach experience, secondly... its where the locals hang out.. We were told to come to this beach from friends we met previous day. Its not
crowded, the local restaurants and bars along culver blvd are not packed with tourists and you can really have some time enjoying the places along while making your way to the beach. we spent easy 2-3 hrs here before we made our way to the beach to enjoy the sunset with no tourist jams and high prices. I'm so glad we were told about this place.. we were supposed to go to santa monica pier and i'm glad we stayed here and avoided the chaos and price gouging.
The beach is clean and not packed and the path along the beach is great for a walk if you want to keep your shoes free from sand. The only thing (which did not bother us), was the traffic from LAX. but it did not make an impact on our vist.
crowded, the local restaurants and bars along culver blvd are not packed with tourists and you can really have some time enjoying the places along while making your way to the beach. we spent easy 2-3 hrs here before we made our way to the beach to enjoy the sunset with no tourist jams and high prices. I'm so glad we were told about this place.. we were supposed to go to santa monica pier and i'm glad we stayed here and avoided the chaos and price gouging.
The beach is clean and not packed and the path along the beach is great for a walk if you want to keep your shoes free from sand. The only thing (which did not bother us), was the traffic from LAX. but it did not make an impact on our vist.
Written November 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna K
75 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
I want to be able to go back in 100 years and NOT SEE HUGE HI RISES LURKING PLEZ
you know...I used to drive around Playa Del Rey...(means 'beach of kings' in espanol)
when I was an up and coming budding actress...I dont know...I was always drawn to it...now I know ...it was a famous launching pad for Howard Hughes aircraft's and now it is being besieged by big nasty developers who want to build huge apartment complexes right off the beach entrance....really ??!@! r y nuts !!
LEAVE PLAYA DEL REY ALONE
The beach is lovely....all ethnic groups use it....it is right off the airport LAX and romantically the planes fly out into the ocean and then turn around for their destinations....on the other side of the beach is the entrance to the Marina Del Rey harbor so you can watch various sea craft come and go.....my father moved there in the 90's....I spent many hours on the Playa Del Rey beach....dont ruin it....
LEAVE IT ALONE...... or I will come and get you ...lol...omg !!!!!
you know...I used to drive around Playa Del Rey...(means 'beach of kings' in espanol)
when I was an up and coming budding actress...I dont know...I was always drawn to it...now I know ...it was a famous launching pad for Howard Hughes aircraft's and now it is being besieged by big nasty developers who want to build huge apartment complexes right off the beach entrance....really ??!@! r y nuts !!
LEAVE PLAYA DEL REY ALONE
The beach is lovely....all ethnic groups use it....it is right off the airport LAX and romantically the planes fly out into the ocean and then turn around for their destinations....on the other side of the beach is the entrance to the Marina Del Rey harbor so you can watch various sea craft come and go.....my father moved there in the 90's....I spent many hours on the Playa Del Rey beach....dont ruin it....
LEAVE IT ALONE...... or I will come and get you ...lol...omg !!!!!
Written May 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jahdelrey
Santa Rosa Beach, FL25 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
Playa del Rey is one of the last beach towns left undeveloped in the Los Angeles area.
The beach is clean with volleyball areas, showers and facilities, and a lagoon with playground, baseball field and toilets.Families come on weekend to enjoy park area on the lagoon and beach happening.
The bike path connects here to either Santa Monica to your right or Redondo Beach and environs on your left.
The beach is clean with volleyball areas, showers and facilities, and a lagoon with playground, baseball field and toilets.Families come on weekend to enjoy park area on the lagoon and beach happening.
The bike path connects here to either Santa Monica to your right or Redondo Beach and environs on your left.
Written October 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jachukwu
8 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We chose this beach as it was close to us and seemed like the best option for free parking close to the beach. However, we won’t be going back. Not only did the beach smell kind of weird, there were a ton of bugs on the beach which looked kind of like cockroaches. Even worse, FIVE of them found their way into my son’s swimming trunks which we did not discover until we got home and at least one of them had bitten him! It was a semi traumatic experience for my 7 year old so I don’t recommend this beach for families.
Written August 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leif B
Beverly Hills, CA5 contributions
May 2016 • Family
This beach is relatively uncrowded, because parking is limited and the beach is wide. Years ago, it was a popular surfing beach, but there seem to be fewer surfers now, although the waves seem about the same.
The beach itself is wide and made of grey-brown medium grain sand excavated from the Marina just north. It's good for sand castles and burying each other, and if you bring a magnet, you'll find it has a pretty high magnetite content (black Fe3O4 grains). Sometimes there are black patches that are almost pure magnetite. During the winter, the county puts up a protective berm in front of the houses just south of Culver Blvd, and the locals bring out snow saucers and slide down the face for a short but fun ride.
The surf varies depending on tide and wave conditions, as well as the current shape of the bottom. When it's just right, the surfing (body or board) can be fine. Low tide is usually the best time when the waves are small. High tide often has a very short shore break, good for swimmers but useless for surfers.
Marina del Rey (a large small-boat harbor) lies just north, and the boats from it are continually passing by offshore. LAX airport lies just south, and the planes take off over the water during normal wind conditions; the noise isn't too loud, but is often noticeable. The bike path (Marvin Braude Bike Trail) passes by, as well, and sometimes you'll see exotic bicycles.
Free parking is available just north of Culver Blvd along the front road. It fills up fairly quickly, though. There are a few small pay lots in the area, but they fill up quickly too. If you want to combine a trip to the beach with a bike ride, the bike path offers a good way to avoid the parking risk.
The beach itself is wide and made of grey-brown medium grain sand excavated from the Marina just north. It's good for sand castles and burying each other, and if you bring a magnet, you'll find it has a pretty high magnetite content (black Fe3O4 grains). Sometimes there are black patches that are almost pure magnetite. During the winter, the county puts up a protective berm in front of the houses just south of Culver Blvd, and the locals bring out snow saucers and slide down the face for a short but fun ride.
The surf varies depending on tide and wave conditions, as well as the current shape of the bottom. When it's just right, the surfing (body or board) can be fine. Low tide is usually the best time when the waves are small. High tide often has a very short shore break, good for swimmers but useless for surfers.
Marina del Rey (a large small-boat harbor) lies just north, and the boats from it are continually passing by offshore. LAX airport lies just south, and the planes take off over the water during normal wind conditions; the noise isn't too loud, but is often noticeable. The bike path (Marvin Braude Bike Trail) passes by, as well, and sometimes you'll see exotic bicycles.
Free parking is available just north of Culver Blvd along the front road. It fills up fairly quickly, though. There are a few small pay lots in the area, but they fill up quickly too. If you want to combine a trip to the beach with a bike ride, the bike path offers a good way to avoid the parking risk.
Written May 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wineaux FromAlexandria
Alexandria, VA590 contributions
Aug 2019
We've been visiting the Los Angeles area more frequently as our daughter is attending college there. So, we've been exploring the various beaches. Playa Del Rey is actually my favourite. Not a lot of amenities in the surrounding area but the beach is less populated and the parking is easy. So, if you jst want to chill in the sun and watch the waves, Play Del Rey is the place.
Written August 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelcooking
London, UK3,698 contributions
Nov 2016
A very beautiful beach, much less crowded than the nearby Santa Monica or Venice Beach, with the exception of the planes that will pass just a few meters over your head because of the proximity to the airport. The surrounding area is really petty as well which makes it definitely a place to visit and spend a good sunny day.
Written April 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumblingstrips
Los Angeles, CA82 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Down the coastline from the crowded beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, lies a hidden gem called Playa Del Rey. It is a cute little beach town with great restaurants and a clean stretch of the beach. It's not too tough to find parking but you can bike to the beach too. The beach is family friendly and closeby is a lagoon, drought stricken but good for bird watching. There is a kids park there too. All in all, an easy outing for family with young kids.
Written September 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inoque1
North Royalton, Ohio126 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
Enjoyed walking along the beach and path that goes for miles in each direction. Great views of the ocean and homes along the shoreline. I have been here several times when I am in town and it is a relaxing place to hang out. I love watching the colorful evening sunsets.
Written December 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barb T
London, UK261 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Known to locals, this beach is clean with well-maintained bicycle and walking paths. Home to USA Volleyball and amateur volleyball players, fun to watch. Crowded on weekends. Lots of sail boats when windy. Good surf waves. So close to LAX you can watch planes take off and see what country they are from. Nice pier. The smallest aquarium ever on one of the piers. Locals & tourists gather at sunset to watch the sunset. The hills of Malibu can be seen and with the setting sun, it's spectacular.
Written March 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I understand there are showers at the Playa Del Rey Beach. Are there places to actually change clothes, or are these just outdoor showers?
Written July 20, 2019
Hi there -not completely sure but I did see toilets and therefore I imagine you could change in the cubicles
Written July 21, 2019
Can anyone recommend a place that you can rent a bicycle to ride from Playa del Rey to Santa Monica? - we'd be dropping the bikes off in Santa Monica. I thought it'd be a good way to see Marina Del Rey and Venice on our way up, instead of just taking an Uber.
Written March 30, 2019
Not sure - there is a place in Santa Monica that rents bikes - maybe get in touch with them and ask what you need to do. there's probably a "sister" company in PDR .
Written March 30, 2019
Most beaches "close" at 10pm in & around the LA coast. People do walk the beach at all hours, but can't be seen as "loitering". I believe this is true in PDR. This beach is part of and adjacent to Dockweiler Beach... a location where there are the only authorized beach bonfires in specific locations throughout the stretch of beach from PDR to El Segundo.
If you need further info, I'd go to LA beaches website. Hope this helps.
Written July 9, 2018
Bonjour ... j'imagine que La proximité de l'aéroport est gênant si nous prenons une location ?
Written February 21, 2017
Showing results 1-8 of 8
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing