Summer Has Arrived in Marina del Rey

Our favorite time of year has arrived in Marina del Rey…. outdoor dining, free concerts all summer long, and beach and water shuttles to make it easy to get around. Read here for the latest on summer activities in the Marina. Hope to see you here. Check our Facebook page for more updates!

Marina del Rey Summer Concerts
This popular series of free outdoor concerts is held in one of the most spectacular waterfront settings in Los Angeles, Burton W. Chace Park. Attracting stellar musical talent, four classical music concerts featuring the 75-member Marina del Rey Summer Symphony alternate with four exciting pop concerts on select Thursday and Saturday evenings. All concerts are free to the public. Concerts begin at 7 p.m., and generally last about two hours.

Classical Thursdays
Thursday, July 7
A Night at the Opera

Thursday, July 21
Naoko Takada, Marimbist

Thursday, August 4
Lindsay Deutsch, Violinist

Thursday, August 18
Claire Huangcl, Pianist

Pop Saturdays
Saturday, July 16
Oleta Adams

Saturday, July 30
Tito Puente, Jr. Orchestra

Saturday, August 13
Aimee Mann

Saturday, August 27
Frankie Avalon

Location
All concerts take place outside on the green in Burton W. Chace Park, 10-acre park surrounded on three sides by water. Audiences are invited to picnic in advance of each concert. Bring your own low beach chairs and blankets for first-come, first-served seating, and a limited number of chairs are available for rent on site. Come early for best seating, and bring along a jacket or sweater to stay comfortable at night near the water. The park is located at 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey.

Free Summer Weekend Beach Shuttle
Visitors love to use the Free Summer Beach Shuttle as a convenient way to explore the community. The shuttle runs summer weekends and holidays from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

Look for the Starfish on the BusThe white shuttle buses are decorated in beach sand and starfish graphics. Look for the signs reading Free Beach Shuttle – Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Venice Pier. The same graphics are used on Shuttle Stop signs along the route.

Regular Days and Hours of Operation
The Beach Shuttle buses will travel from Playa Vista every 30 minutes beginning at 10:15 a.m. Important Schedule Exception: there will be no 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. shuttles departing to allow for required shuttle drivers’ lunch breaks.

Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m; Sundays, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Memorial Day (Monday, May 30), 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Independence Day (Monday, July 4), 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Labor Day (Monday, September 5), 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Special Days and Hours
In support of four Thursday evening Marina del Rey Classical Concerts taking place at Burton Chace Park, the Beach Shuttle will operate from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The Beach Shuttle will also provide one day of service for the Abbot Kinney Street Festival on Sunday, September 25, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.Disabled AccessThe vehicles are ADA accessible and space for bicycles is available.

Marina del Rey WaterBus
Park your car and take the Marina del Rey WaterBus for a unique water’s-eye view of the community. These colorful boats carry passengers on the water to many of the Marina’s major attractions, hotels and restaurants. Dock Attendants are available at each pick-up location and will call for the WaterBus upon your arrival. 2011 WaterBus Dates Friday, June 24 - Monday, September 5.

Regular Days and Hours of Operation
Fridays, 5 p.m. - Midnight; Saturdays, 11 a.m. - Midnight;Sundays, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Independence Day (Monday, July 4) 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Labor Day (Monday, September 5), 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.;
On busy weekends and holidays there may be a wait to board the WaterBus.

Special Operations Schedule for Summer Concerts
In support of four Thursday evening Marina del Rey Classical Concerts taking place at Burton Chace Park, the WaterBus will operate from 5 p.m. - Midnight.

Fare
$1 per person, one way. Cash only (no credit or debit cards).Season Passes are available for $30 and can be purchased from Dock Attendants at the gate. Bikes and strollers are welcome onboard.

Disabled Access
To accommodate our disabled community, ADA accessible ramps are located at Burton Chace Park, Waterfront Walk, Marina “Mother’s” Beach, Dolphin Marina Apts., Del Rey Landing (Marina del Rey Fuel Dock), and the Esprit Apts.

10 Things You Didn't Know About MdR

1)      Marina del Rey is only 4 Miles North of LAX- If your plane is delayed or your layover seems too long, hop in a cab and spend a few hours on or by the sea.

2)      Getting on the water is Easy, Breezy - If you have never sailed a boat or thought it was too expensive to rent a skippered charter (a sailboat that comes with your own skipper or captain), then Marina del Rey is the perfect starting point for you.  Here are options for skippered charters and guess what? They make it so easy to get on a boat and enjoy being on the water:  Paradise Bound Yacht Charters, Blue Water Sailing , Blue Pacific Boating or Marina Sailing.

3)      Singles Can Mingle- Single Mariners of Marina del Rey offers day sails for area singles.  Twice a month, singles of all skill levels are welcome to join the fun on a weekend day sail. Bring $7 to the members’ meeting, and beginners and experts alike will be ready to set sail the following weekend.

4)      Your Wish is Our Command-The Visitor’s Bureau Concierge Service is a resource for all things Marina del Rey. Plan a weekend getaway to the Marina. Better yet, we will plan it for you. Marina del Rey’s Visitors Center offers help in planning your next Marina vacation, stop by the center located at 4701 Admiralty Way.

5)      Return of Jet Skis- They were gone for a while, and boy, did we miss them. Now they are available for rent again. Forget the work week completely as you zip around the Marina, enjoying the sunshine and lapping waves. Rent a jet ski from Marina del Rey Boat Rentals 13719 Fiji Way, 310-574-2822.

6)      You’re In the Doghouse- If you have a dog, you have come to the right place. Marina del Rey offers pre-planned walking maps, outdoor dining, and a dog-friendly park. If you're thinking about a weekend stay, consider booking you and your pooch at the Marina del Rey Hotel, Marina International Hotel, or even the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey.

7)      We Always Have a Reason for Dancing Shoes- You don’t have to take a weekend or even a day away to feel like you are on vacation. Escape for an evening on a Marina del Rey Dinner Dance Cruise. On Saturday evenings you can enjoy a delicious meal, watch the sunset, and dance the night away on board a ship cruising around Marina del Rey. For more information, visit Hornblower Cruises and Events

8)      An Exotic Adventure is At Our Doorstep- Did you know LA has its very own wetlands? Right outside Marina del Rey, on the corner of Lincoln and Jefferson is a remarkable natural habitat. The wetlands are home to the endangered least tern, as well as many other rare species. The site has two trails open to the public. Visit www.ballonafriends.org and www.ballona.org/ for more information.

9)      Offering More Than Your Neighborhood Park- Burton W. Chace Park offers engaging activities for kids of all ages, including the popular Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series which kicks off July 8.  Plus, Marina Movie Nights will return this summer where friends and family can watch four popular films on a giant 27’ screen for free! Bring blankets, chairs and picnic supplies to enjoy the movie-watching by the water experience! If you just need to relax, pack a picnic and enjoy the breathtaking ocean views of Marina del Rey.

10)  Find Event Venues Galore - Looking for a spot close to the water to hold a wedding? Bridal shower? Sunday brunch? Quinceañera? Bar mitzvah?  Marina del Rey has it all-- from upscale resorts with ballrooms overlooking the water and luxury yachts with entertainment, dining and dance floors to cool, intimate lounges and casual, relaxed restaurant settings -- and with views of the water to outdoor dining spaces, your guests will be thrilled to celebrate in the Marina.

Top 10 Local Favorites in MDR

We know you have your own favorites in Marina del Rey. What are they? ADD to our List of Favorites as a comment now! First 5 commenters receive an MDR goodie!

1) Cup o’ Joe

Joni’s Coffee. A Marina del Rey institution, Joni’s Coffee Roasting Café gets its coffee beans from boutique farms over the world, roasting each batch separately with a 1950’s 20 kilo German Coffee Roaster. Breakfast is served all day, but there are delicious lunch and dinner entrees available as well. Dogs are welcome too—truly making Joni’s the neighborhood’s friendliest place to eat. 552 Washington Blvd., 310-305-7147.

2) Low-Key Sushi

Irori Sushi. Take off your shoes before you enter the door of this local secret. Guests sit cross-legged on the floor to savor some of the area’s best sushi. The blue crab hand-roll and the Ono fish tacos are not to be missed. The chefs are friendly, skilled and creative, guaranteeing a relaxing and enjoyable evening out. 4371 Glencoe Ave Ste B-4, 310-822-3700.

3) Water Fun!

Stand-Up Paddleboarding. It’s officially a craze! Spend a beautiful afternoon in the sun on a stand-up paddleboard in the Marina. Cruise around and catch some waves. Rent one from Marina del Rey Boat Rentals 13719 Fiji Way, 310-574-2822.

4) Walk or Jog

Grab a map. Pick up a map this weekend and find a new route around the Marina. From runners to people looking to take a lazy Sunday stroll, there is a path for everyone. See the self-guided walking tour maps online, at www.visitmarinadelrey.com.

5) Watch the Game

Tony P.’s Dockside Grill. Big screen TV, anyone? The Tavern at Tony P.’s is absolutely full of them. With 60 beers on tap and 40 bottled, cocktail favorites like Mudslides and Mai Tais, and famous Dockside Potato Skins and Pulled Pork Quesadillas, the number one sports fan will have it all! 4445 Admiralty Way, 310-823-4534.

6) Tuesday Children’s Story Time

Lloyd W. Taber Library. Unplug your WiFi connection and scoop the kids up from their places in front of Dora the Explorer. This Tuesday, head off to the library for story time. Call ahead for specific programming information—sometimes there are puppets, and arts and crafts! It’s a great way to spend time in the community, and discover a new favorite book. 4533 Admiralty Way, 310- 821-3415.

7) Best View

Burton Chace Park. You won’t be able to take your eyes off the glistening Marina view from Burton Chace Park. Bring some hot dogs and hamburgers to grill as you watch the sun go down. Come during the day with a picnic basket and have a lazy afternoon with the best view of the water.13650 Mindanao Way, 310-305-9595.

8) Best Deal

Concerts at Fisherman’s Village. Forget your work week and treat your ears to some free live music. From sultry Latin jazz to 50s rock and roll you are guaranteed to feel transported for the evening. See schedule below. 13755 Fiji Way.

9) Night on the Town

Glow. The lounge at the Marina del Rey Marriot is the place to be seen on a Saturday night. DJs spin tracks on the weekends amidst the glowing fire wall in the spacious outdoor lounge. Private cabanas and bottle service are available to make the night truly extraordinary. 4100 Admiralty Way, 310-578-4152.

10) Watch the Regatta

California Yacht Club. Every Wednesday from April through September, the California Yacht Club hosts series of races leading to a grand finale sail-off to become King of the Hill. Enjoy sunset during Marina del Rey’s largest sailing event from one of the restaurants on the water. 4469 Admiralty Way, 310-823-4567.

Fisherman's Village Concert Schedule

May 2010 - from 2pm to 5pm

SATURDAY: MAY 1ST - UPSTREAM BAND (CARIBBEAN STYLE)

SUNDAY: MAY 2ND - KEIKO OKAMOTO LATIN JAZZ BAND (LATIN JAZZ, MOMBO & SALSA FLAUTIST)

SATURDAY: MAY 8TH - MICHAEL HAGGINS GROUP (SMOOTH JAZZ WITH A KICK)

SUNDAY: MAY 9TH - 2 JAZZ 1 BODY & SOUL BAND (SMOOTH JAZZ WITH VOCALS & HOT SAX)

SATURDAY: MAY 15TH - SPARE TIME BAND (SMOOTH JAZZ)

SUNDAY: MAY 16TH - SUSIE HANSEN LATIN BAND (HOT LATIN JAZZ)

SATURDAY: MAY 22ND - ERIC EKSTRAD BAND (SWING, JUMP, JAZZ & BOGGIE)

SUNDAY: MAY 23RD - SULLIVAN HALL BAND (SOUL REVIEW)

SATURDAY: MAY 29TH - FRIENDS (RHYTHM & BLUES)

SUNDAY: MAY 30TH - HOMER BROADNAX BLUES & SOUL BAND (BLUES & SOUL)

MONDAY: MAY 30TH - JIMBO ROSS & THE BODACIOUS BLUES BAND (JAZZ & BLUES ON VIOLA)

RECEIVE 2 HOURS FREE PARKING WITH VALIDATION

13755 FIJI WAY, MARINA DEL REY, CA 90292