We're going to the chapel, and we're going to get married......

Beginning right after the holidays, we began to receive all kinds of phone calls asking about wedding locations in Marina del Rey! The staff at the Marina del Rey Visitors Bureau has been busy answering the calls. And we are ready to help!

For years, the Marina has been a popular wedding location, probably because it's on the waterfront and in the middle of West LA. There are lots of options for ceremony sites, including hotel terraces, sandy beachfronts, public parks, restaurants overlooking the harbor, yacht clubs and a handful of beautiful yachts right on the water.

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, Marina del Rey Hotel and Marina del Rey Marriott are the most popular hotel wedding locations. California Yacht Club is well-known for their beautiful wedding site (and non members can use the facility for events), and both FantaSea Yachts & Yacht Club and Hornblower Events and Cruises have at least six luxury ships to choose from - can you imagine have your special celebration aboard a ship? It's more affordable than you think! There's even a Tiki-style houseboat available called the Tiki Mermaid, which is fun for themed or casual celebrations.

Restaurants and lounges are popular for rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, engagement parties and last day brunches. Glow, Jer-Ne Restaurant + Bar, The Waterfront, Cafe del Rey, Waterfront Bar & Grill, Shanghai Red's (who also hosts many ceremonies), The Charthouse and The Warehouse and Tony P's are all popular venues.

If 2010 is the year you're planning to get hitched, get more information by e-mailing the Marina del Rey Visitors Bureau for a free Wedding Planning Package to be mailed to you, or download your own guide to the Marina's Banquet Space.

New Year's Eve Fireworks Waterfront in Marina del Rey

Celebrate the New Year at midnight in Marina del Rey!
A spectacular fireworks display will be launched from the South Jetty near Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey.
The most popular viewing spots are Fisherman’s Village, Burton W. Chace Park and Marina Beach, and the fireworks can be seen throughout the marina, from restaurants, night clubs, charter companies and yacht clubs.

Marina businesses are planning special celebrations to ring in 2010. Please join us for an evening of fun, delicious dining and entertainment!
Cafe del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way
310-823-6395 www.cafedelreymarina.com
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the restaurant with two seatings, 5:30 p.m. (a la carte menu) and 8:30 p.m., (3-course pre fix menu, $79), with holiday music.


Glow Bar – Marina del Rey Marriott
4100 Admiralty Way
310-301-3000 www.glow-bar.com
Exciting New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. Live entertainment, go-go dancers and house music. Complimentary masks and midnight champagne toast. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. $20 per person (valet $12).


Hornblower Cruises & Events
13755 Fiji Way, Fisherman’s Village
310-301-6000 www.hornblower.com
Hornblower’s popular New Year’s Eve Cocktail Cruise boards at 10 p.m., cruising from 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at $99 per person. Includes appetizers, glass of champagne and live DJ & dancing. The New Year’s Eve Dinner Gala boards at 8:30 p.m., cruising from 9 p.m.- 1 a.m., at $170 per person. Includes a four-course prix fixe dinner, glass of champagne and live DJ & dancing.


Jer-ne Restaurant + Bar – The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey
4375 Admiralty Way
310-823-1700 www.ritzcarlton.com
New Year’s Eve will have three seatings, beginning at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for an $85 three-course prix fixe. And the New Year will be brought in with a special 8:30 p.m. five-course meal for $115 per person.

Shanghai Red’s Restaurant
13813 Fiji Way
310-823-4522 www.shanghairedsrestaurant.com
New Year’s Eve Buffet begins at 7:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. with live DJ & dancing and midnight champagne toast. $55 per person in public seating area, $70 for private seating. Shanghai Red’s will also have a special New Year’s Day brunch buffet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $26.95/adults, $9.95 kids (6-12).


The Waterfront Restaurant & Waterfront Concert Theater (formerly The Organic Panificio Restaurant )
4211 Admiralty Way
310-448-8900 www.thewfr.com
The Waterfront will host a New Year’s Eve Concert, featuring Cubensis and The Hollywood Stones. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. $30 general admission without dinner includes party favors and midnight champagne. VIP tickets include buffet dinner at $50 per person. The main restaurant will also be serving a prix fixe menu with jazz singer Ariana Savalas at 6 p.m.


Tony P’s Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty Way
310-823-4534 www.tonyps.com
Annual New Year’s Eve Party in the Tavern. Music, light snacks & beverages, party favors and midnight balloon drop. $10 per person with regular dinner purchase, $20 without.


Warehouse Restaurant
4499 Admiralty Way
310-823-5451 www.mdrwarehouse.com
On New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will have live entertainment and their regularly priced menu.


Waterfront Bar & Grill – Marina del Rey Hotel
13534 Bali Way
310-301-1000 www.marinadelreyhotel.com
Recover on Friday January 1 at the Marina del Rey Hotel's special New Year's Day Brunch from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. which includes quiche, eggs, bacon, pancakes, lox, chicken, muffins, danish,a mimosa and more for $21.95 adults, $10.95 kids (12 and under). For unlimited mimosas, add $10!

Christmas Day in Marina del Rey California

Marina del Rey Visitors Center is getting lots of phone calls asking what restaurants in the Marina are open on Christmas Day! Well, we have lots! If your family feels like celebrating, but not cooking on Friday, December 25, here are some great suggestions of wonderful places to dine and cruise:

Cafe del Rey - spectacular views from this sophisticated restaurant serving a fixed price Christmas Day meals for $46 pp from 4 - 9 p.m. (310-823-6395)

Hornblower Cruises & Events - Christmas Day Buffet Cruise - experience a spectacular holiday buffet complete with all the trimmings aboard a luxurious Hornblower yacht for $85 pp, boarding at 3 p.m. (310-301-6000)

Jer-ne Restaurant + Bar (inside The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey) - the Ritz's beautiful dining room will host two Christmas buffet seatings for $95 pp; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 -9 p.m. (310-823-1700)

Shanghai Red's - a favorite for family celebrations, this waterfront jewel is offering a Christmas Day traditional holiday buffet and complimentary champage for $35.95 adults/$14.95 kids (6-12) from 9:30 a.m - 8 p.m. Discounts before 10:30 a.m. (310-823-4522)

Warehouse Restaurant - famous Trader Vic's style harborfront watering hole has a Christmas Day buffet from 12 noon - 8 p.m. for $29.95 adults/$14.95 kids (12 and under). (310-823-5451)

Waterfront Bar & Grill (inside Marina del Rey Hotel) - Traditional three-course fixed price Christmas Day feast for $24-27 adults/$13 kids (12 and under). (310-301-1000)

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For more information about Marina del Rey visit the Visitors Bureau's website or email info@VisitMarinaDelRey.com. Marina del Rey Visitors Center is located at 4701 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey CA 90292 tel. 310-305-9545. Closed Christmas and New Year's Day.

A Local's Perspective

I usually do a once a week Marina del Rey jaunt because there’s a certain neighborhood serenity that I don’t quite get from other areas in LA. Because everything is centrally located, I can do all my errands and get some shopping done in a few hours. Best of all, parking is easy and free in the Marina.

I usually start my morning by parking at Waterside (located off Admiralty between Fiji & Mindanao) and pop in Starbucks (which has the most user-friendly public restrooms) and enjoy my coffee and snack sitting by the water fountain observing the people. I always see the same locals, I believe they’re boaters, hanging out and enjoying the peaceful morning. The post office is also located here, making it easy for me to take care of any outgoing mail. My first errand done. I might window shop at M. Federic, BCBG and pick up a few items at the beauty supply before I’m off to the banks for my second errand of the day. Bank of America, Chase and US Bank are all located within a block of each other.

On the corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Mindanao is a semi-new area with one of my banks (US Bank) located in it as well as a Nail Spa where I take care of my third errand, a pedicure. This nail spa has great massage chairs and gives each client chilled bottled water while you get your mani-pedi. And again, parking is easy and free.

Taking a break from errands, I drive over to Villa Marina Marketplace (off Maxella) and park in front of DSW. DSW is a huge store of discounted shoes and handbags (fyi, they also have a clean restroom). Love the selection and prices here. Across the street I like to pop into Petals-N-Wax for cool cards and gifts. This place has very unique and quirky items, great for occasions throughout the year. After Petals-N-Wax, I’ll walk down Maxella towards Lincoln and take a right on Glencoe to stop into Fedex to send a package off. Fourth errand accomplished. This is a main branch of Fedex which makes it convenient for those who don’t have an account from home or office.

All my encounters with people are very relaxed and conversational. The vibe and tone of the Marina is pleasant which is probably why I prefer to take a day to come here and enjoy the city while getting errands done.

Back in my car, I take Bali Way to Admiralty Way heading North. Just a few yards on the left is the library with a small parking lot. I like to pick up all the free local papers for the week there. They have them lying out in front. Errand number five off my list. Now that I’ve worked up my hunger, I’m craving either the tuna sashimi at Sugarfish, the Jer-Ne salad 
with green apple, crisp prosciutto, walnut brittle, point reyes bleu cheese mousse or a bowl of chowder soup and fried clams from Organic Panificio. I opt for Panificio because they have a great view of the harbor. Once again, parking is easy here too.

My last errand before heading back home is grocery shopping. Of course I save this for last because I want to get my food in the fridge as quickly as possible. There are two Ralphs markets within a half-mile of each other and a Gelson’s which is great for the more gourmet/exotic items.

I love how easily accessible many things are in Marina del Rey. I can get around without fighting traffic or worrying about parking. It’s convenient, quick, laid-back and fun.

By a local westside resident