The North Jetty of Marina Channel

When you’ve lived in California all your life, the local Southern California beaches (particularly starting from Bolsa Chica or Huntington beach working all the way up to Dockweiler (maybe a pop in at Venice, Santa Monica & Malibu) won’t cut it unless you’ve checked out the North Jetty Marina channel. Plus you can choose what end to park at (Playa Del Rey by Del Rey Lagoon park), anywhere in Marina Del Rey canal or by the end of Pacific Ave coming from Venice. There’s parking and even in the summer, you can find it, just plan to wear comfortable shoes for walking no matter what. (I do the cinch backpack & pack flip flops). You can do whatever your heart desires, if you live nearby, perfect for fishing, bike riding, jogging, strolls, walking the dog, kids, couples, and watching boats, people, seagulls, and soaking in the zen!
It’s fun to walk on the jetty (s), I always feel like I’m going to fall off (exaggerated unless you have a real fear of water), but it’s an experience :) It’s also cool to see the young women & men doing rowing and the sail boats (yacht’s) sailing around. Gotta be gorgeous at night, but probably dead unless there’s a party boat of drunks cruising by. You’ve got many paths to walk there and enjoy the views of boats and nature (w/​Ballona Creek right there). I’ve walked from Playa Del Rey around the marina to Venice beach and back (don’t recommend it unless your in great shape and run fast… it gets exhausting, if your not biking it). But I must say, I enjoyed it!
Sun cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, cellphone/​camera & your adventurous spirit & appreciation of nautical theme a must!

Yes yes yes… found a sort of replacement for our wonderful beach walks in Carlsbad at Tamarack State Beach. The Marina Channel doesn’t quite have the panache or charm, but it’s got great air. Right at the end of Fiji Way in the Marina. I walked through the Coast Guard parking lot to get to a channel-​side path that leads to the jetty.
There’s some grass for Joey, and beautiful vistas, and clean air. Could use a little more parking but nothing’s perfect.

This place is a nice place to come relax. On this side of the marina there is not a lot people, or businesses, so its much more chill. Its good to come walk around, sit and watch the boats or sit and eat lunch. The beach is almost always empty here so if your looking for a quite section of beach this is for you. They have a bathroom here but the parking is sparse and metered.

It’s a great place to end your day here, and wait for the sunset. I am so glad that we decided to come here after driving around the LA Metropolitan and Malibu area. It just seemed appropriate to end the day in a mellow note, waiting for the sun to seemingly touch the water.
I’d come back here anytime. It’s a beautiful place to be.
Great place to take pictures of the sunset.

Great for a run. If you complete the boardwalk area… I’d say it’s about 1.5 miles (If you go back and forth once). I really like coming here because it doesn’t get that crowded and even if the walking path does get crowded, you’ll find the sand and jogging along the water is just as good (sometimes I’ll go from the North Jetty all the way to the Venice Boardwalk = a great jog on the sand).
The people are really friendly too, seriously haha! I’ve talked to some really cool down to earth dog owners here and have jogged by people who just smile at you or nod their heads.

Want to see a real whale??? A small gray whale is hanging out in the Marina channel, and if you’re lucky sometimes the whale hangs around the northern jetty of the Marina channel.
See this link for more whale information —–
My mother and I like to park far away and walk down. Not only is it exercise, but also you don’t have to pay the meter parking monsters who charge a quarter for 15mins, up to an hour till, 10pm.
On clear days you can see Catalina, Palos Verdes, Malibu, and all the way back across LA to the San Gabriels. Not to mention there are boats of all shapes and sizes gliding or speeding through the water, and small water craft like rowers, and kayakers.
However today, I was mostly focused on the whale.
Let me tell you, it’s enchanting literally. We stayed for 30 minutes, watching the whale blowing bubbles, guessing where it would come up for breath next, spraying the air with whale breath.
Of course the crowd of folks coming down is growing, and I think the whale half the time is looking at the humans and thinking, wow what weird animals. It’s a great place to bring children, except keep an eye on them, since it is rocky and there’s water on all sides. Even the dogs will enjoy it. I watched a couple pooches also waiting for the whale to poke its body out, curiously tilting their heads.
On hot days, you could easily go back to the sand and make a beach day. Or you can watch the other wildlife. There are pelicans abound flying up and down the channel. Nearby is the fenced area for the endangered migrating Turns to hang out if they need to.
Definitely make a visit some time soon to check out the whale! If you don’t see it, at least you got a nice walk and exercise to go home with.

A touch of Heaven!
Aubrey E. Austin, Jr. Park in Marina del Rey has a paved walkway out to the ocean end of the north jetty that is a favorite of joggers, walkers, and fishermen.
I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying my weekend walks out to the end of the Jetty. It’s great exercise and the view couldn’t be better. When I get to the end, I always stay for awhile. I feel as though I’m on vacation.
Nature is frolicking with utmost perfection!
Dolphins are romping… two at a time!
The seagulls and pelicans are at peace, napping & feeding.
The waves are subtly breaking against the rocks… just that meditative sound is so worth the visit.
The motor boaters and jet skiers are impatient to exit the channel and then obviously elated as they break free and accelerate into the ocean!
The sailboats are dancing and swaying to a different tune.
The fishermen are at home.
All is good.
And…it’s Free!
Usually, the best things in life don’t cost a thing.
We just need to recognize what they are…
relish them,
and then be grateful.