Playa Del Rey Beach — Attraction in Los Angeles

One of the widest beaches in the LA area. This beach is also among the least crowded! As it is perhaps the least commuted thru of oceanfront communities, albeit those who pass thru here from other beach side communities of South Bay, as well as the bike riders along the beach bike path! The beach here is clean, water’s fine except when the creek and storm drains empty. Lifeguards are stationed about, enough to provide assistance as needed, and the local LA Police patrols the backside, where an upscale Playa Del Rey community surrounds the beach. Beach volleyball may be the the most popular sand sport here, with several maintained nets available on a first come, first serve basis. There’s public restrooms, trash containers and an almost always present maintenance crew, keeping up appearances! I like to bike ride thru here on part of the long coastal bike path! The path continues north around Marina Del Rey, all the way thru Venice Beach and up to Santa Monica and back! It’s part of a really long pathway that goes from Will Rogers Beach in LA, at the north end, all the way south, alongside South Bay beaches down to Torrance State Beach! Being just outside of LAX can be interesting or annoying, it depends on the point of view. After having lived in the area for years, I’ve become oblivious. Nearby paid parking along the bike pathis at the northernmost parking lot of Dockweiler State Beach for a fee, or street parking may be available along Vista Del Mar at the incline ramp. The street parking is free here, tho risky with passing traffic, so caution is advised! The incline is located at the opposite side of the street from where Vista Del Mar meets Vista Del Mar Lane and Waterview Street. There’s also free parking around Playa Vista Lagoon Park where permitted. A paid lot has limited spaces at the north end, before the Ballona...

Playa Del Rey Beach is a beautiful spot to spend a day in the sun, with wide stretches of sand and sparkling ocean waters. However, I do have to give a warning to visitors about the increasing number of homeless people in the area.

Unfortunately, in recent years, the homeless population in Playa Del Rey has been on the rise, and it's not uncommon to see individuals camping out on the beach or panhandling near the parking lot. While I understand the complexity of this issue and the need for compassion and support for those experiencing homelessness, it can still be a discomforting experience for visitors to the beach.

That being said, if you're willing to take a few precautions and be aware of your surroundings, Playa Del Rey Beach can still be a lovely place to spend a day. I recommend visiting during peak hours when there are more people around, and avoiding the more secluded areas of the beach. It's also a good idea to keep your belongings close by and not leave them unattended.

Despite the challenges posed by the homeless population, I still believe that Playa Del Rey Beach is a special place that's worth a visit. The ocean views are breathtaking, and there's plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the sand and sun. And who knows, maybe with increased awareness and support for those experiencing homelessness, we can work towards a brighter future for everyone in...

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...