Overview
Playa del Rey ("Beach of the King") offers beautiful beaches overlooking the Pacific Ocean just a few miles north of Los Angeles International Airport.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Playa del Rey
Ballona Wetlands
The Ballona Wetlands is one of the last wetlands in the Los Angeles basin. While it used to encompass much of Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey and Venice, today the area is much smaller, with much of it in a degraded state …
Dockweiler State Beach
A long, wide stretch of beach that sits under the flight path of many departing aircraft from adjacent LAX and is one of the least crowded beaches in the Los Angeles area. Dockweiler has fire pits, making it one of the f…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 47°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Culver City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LAX Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles — 2 mi away (major hub). Directions
- HHR Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Hawthorne — 6 mi away. Directions
Playa del Rey is located north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). From San Diego Freeway (405) exit Imperial Highway and go west. Where the road ends at Vista del Mar, turn right. Playa del Rey is located just beyond Dockweiler Beach.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $15 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ballona Wetlands
- Lunch Bacari PDR
- Afternoon Dockweiler State Beach
- Dinner The Shack
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Playa del Rey is located north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). From San Diego Freeway (405) exit Imperial Highway and go west. Where the road ends at Vista del Mar, turn right. Playa del Rey is located just beyond Dockweiler Beach.
See
See Ballona Wetlands
The Ballona Wetlands is one of the last wetlands in the Los Angeles basin. While it used to encompass much of Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey and Venice, today the area is much smaller, with much of it in a degraded state pending future restoration. The freshwater portion of the wetlands, located along Jefferson and Lincoln boulevards, features a walking path and is home to all manner of waterfowl. The saltwater portion of the wetlands is closed to the public on most days, but tours are offered on the second weekend of every month (check the Friends of the Wetlands calendar for times, park behind Gordon's Market at 303 Culver Blvd).
Do
Do Dockweiler State Beach
A long, wide stretch of beach that sits under the flight path of many departing aircraft from adjacent LAX and is one of the least crowded beaches in the Los Angeles area. Dockweiler has fire pits, making it one of the few L.A. beaches where bonfires are allowed.
- Bike along the 30 Mile bicycle or rent roller blades or a skateboard.
- Ride, jog, or walk to Fisherman's Village in the Marina or to Manhattan or Venice Beach
- Fish along the Jetty.
- Boat out to sea in a sailboat, sport-fishing boat, kayak, or harbor dinner cruise ship.
- Walk along the beach collecting shells, admiring the dolphins, or noticing the large yachts, volleyball games, or boat races.
- Play tennis at Loyola Marymount or Westchester Park
- Golf on either of two public golf courses including the famous or infamous 15-hole Westchester course, the only night lighted golf course in the area.
Eat
Eat Bacari PDR
Tapas-style casual dining featuring hot and cold dishes as well as gourmet pizzas - plan on 2-3 dishes per person. Entrees range from lamb-stuffed eggplant to cauliflower in chipotle sauce to chicken breast paninis. Full bar with an extensive beer and wine selection. Staff is enthusiastic and helpful. The space is a bit tight and it can get loud when full, so arrive early for a more relaxing vibe. Happy hour Monday-Friday from 5-7PM.
Eat The Shack
While this restaurant now has six locations (two in California, three in Hawaii, and one in Colorado), the Playa del Rey location is the original, opened in 1972. A surfer bar next to the beach ("Dude food without peer" according to the LA Times), the signature dish is the Shack Burger, a 1/4 pound burger with a Portuguese sausage for $6.50 ($6.25 without cheese). Order at the counter, hang out in a booth, and enjoy the vibe. There are also plenty of televisions showing the latest games, and a bar serving the standard American beers (Budweiser, Miller, etc) to help quench your thirst after a day on the waves. The one downside of this place is that its tiny parking lot fills quickly, and street parking can often be a challenge.
Sleep
Go next
The cities and neighborhoods that border Playa del Rey include the following:
- Marina del Rey - Located north of Playa del Rey, the "marina of the king" is home to a vast number of restaurants and hotels, and while not as touristy as some of the neighboring beach cities is nonetheless a fun spot to spend an evening.
- Westchester - This town, located to the east, is home to Los Angeles International Airport and a number of lodging options.
- El Segundo - Playa's neighbor to the south and east is mostly an industrial town, although visitors are generally surprised to find a sleepy downtown that is home to numerous restaurants and bars.
Nearby
Westchester
City / town · 17 listings · 3 mi away
El Segundo
City / town · 15 listings · 3 mi away
Marina del Rey
City / town · 52 listings · 3 mi away
Venice
City / town · 29 listings · 3 mi away
Manhattan Beach
City / town · 23 listings · 4 mi away
Culver City
City / town · 58 listings · 5 mi away
Inglewood
City / town · 22 listings · 5 mi away
Hawthorne
City / town · 9 listings · 6 mi away
My experience
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