Welcome to Marina Del Rey

Bird Watching
On select Thursdays join the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harobrs for a birdwatching experience in various sites of the Ballona Wetlands. The outings begin with a brief lecture on avifauna related topics and an overview of the wetlands. The group will then get the opportunity to observe various bird species in the shoreline and vegetation habitats. Small children who do not require a car seat or stroller are welcome to participate and must be accompanied by an adult. Times vary and the group meets at the Burton Chace Park Community Room (13650 Mindanao Way) before embarking on the tour. Both the tour and parking are free. Call 310-305-9596 for reservations and visit marinadelrey.lacounty.gov for more information.

Harbor Kayaking
On select Saturdays, the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors provides basic kayaking instruction and exploration in the Marina harbor. Outings begin with kayaking lessons and water safety. The group will then practice and enjoy paddling through the Marina’s basins. Kayaking is open to adults and children 10 years of age and up. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak. The cost is $25-$30 per person and groups meet at 11:30 a.m. at the Burton Chace Park Boathouse. Parking is free. Call 310-305-9587 for reservations and visit marinadelrey.lacounty.gov for more information.

Surf Kayaking
On select Saturdays, this outing takes participants kayaking through the Marina del Rey harbor and out to the North Jetty where they will surf the waves aboard sit-on-top kayaks. Instruction is provided by L.A. County lifeguards and participants must be approved by instructors to register. The cost is $25-$30 per person and groups meet at 8 a.m. at the Burton Chace Park Boathouse. Parking is free. Call 310-305-9587 for reservations and visit marinadelrey.lacounty.gov or more information.

Marina del Rey Anglers Annual Halibut Derby
A yearly event since 1974, this annual contest has become the largest fishing tournament in Southern Califoria. It's also the last 100% non-profit tournament on the west coast. The event has attracted almost a thousand participants and over 300 boats every year and entrants have come from as far as Northern California, Arizona and Nevada. Prizes are awared for catching the biggest fish with rod and reel and fishing starts at sunrise. Watch the public weigh-ins Saturday in Burton W. Chace Park at 5 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. Visit marinadelreyhalibutderby.com or mdranglers.com for more information or call 310-827-4855.

Venice Architectural Tours
Held annually in April, these exclusive fundraising tours for the Las Doradas Children's Center are a companion to the popular Venice Garden and Home Tour and are offered to major sponsors of the event first. If the tours are not pre-sold out, tickets to the public are made available for purchase for $300 each. This tour of unique contemporary and vintage homes in Venice offers a rare glimpse into environments that reflect the colorful history of Venice, as well as its present and future. The tour is by guided coach and includes lunch at a Venice restaurant. Another tour of Santa Monica Canyon, Rustic Canyon and Pacific Palisades Riviera leads participants through architecturally significant homes designed by John Byers, Steven Ehrlich, Ray Kappe and Michael Sant. For more information and specific dates visit venicegardentour.org or call 310-821-1857.

Annual Venice Garden and Home Tour
This event showcases unusual and delightful homes and gardens that exemplify the creative and original tastes of their owners, as well as the talents of local designers. Conceived as a fundraiser for the Neighborhood Youth Association's Las Doradas Children's Center, this self-guided walking tour of Venice homes and gardens leads participants through walk streets a short stroll east of trendy Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Tour-goers will see bungalows with trailing roses and intimate pocket gardens, as well as sleek contemporary homes showcasing current art and the California outdoor/indoor lifestyle. Tours run from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. and begin at Las Douradas Children's Center. The cost is $60 in advance and $70 at the door, children under 12 years free. Shuttle service and docents are available. Call 310-821-1857 or visit venicegardentour.org for more information.

Marina del Rey Boat Show
This ever-growing in water boat show features hundreds of the newest and largest recreational boats, from million-dollar yachts, incredible sailboats and personal watercraft to marine accessories. Lasting for four days, usually the third weekend in May, the show takes place in Burton W. Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way. Admission for adults is $10 per person, children under 12 are free. Call 949-757-5959 for more information and exact dates.

Venice Art Walk
This annual celebration (usually the third weekend of May) of art, architecture, music and fine food benefits the Venice Family Clinic. More than 50 Venice artists open their studios to the public during this renowned two-day event. Walking tours of architecturally significant homes in Venice and Marina del Rey are also part of the fun (1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310-392-9255; venicefamilyclinic.org).

Venice Championships Bodybuilding and Figure Contest
The Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks bodybuilding competition takes place on Venice Beach at 1800 Ocean Front Walk. Admission is free. Call 310-399-2775 or visit laparks.org for more information.

Playa Vista Concerts in the Park
From June through August, this free, outdoor concert series at Playa Vista takes place at Concert Park in Playa Vista on the last Sunday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair. The park is on (South) Alla Road. For parking, head north on Lincoln, turn left on Jefferson, left on Playa Vista Drive and follow the signs. Take shuttle three blocks, or walk east on Jefferson to Alla (south), turn right. Call 310-448-4605 for more information.

Porsche Club of America LA Region Concours d'Elegance
Enjoy ogling Porsches of all kinds on display at this annual day-long car show in Burton W. Chace Park. Admission is free. Call 818-888-7224 or visit pcala.com for more information.

Marina del Rey Annual 4th of July Fireworks
Watch fireworks shoot over Marina's main channel. Burton W. Chace Park and Fisherman's Village are popular viewing spots, but any water view seat is a good one. Fireworks start 9 p.m. Park early. Call 310-305-9545 or go to visitmarina.com for more information.

Mr. and Ms. Muscle Beach
Every July 4th the Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks host this bodybuilding, figure and swimsuit competition on Venice Beach. Admission is free. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Call 310-99-2775 or visit laparks.org for more information.

Westchester 4th of July Parade
This annual Chamber of Commerce-sponsored parade features floats, an elephant, marching bands and community groups. The parade starts in Westchester Park at noon and follows along Loyola Boulevard to Loyola Marymount University. Free. Call 310-645-5151 or visit laxcoastal.com for more information.

Old Fashioned Day in the Park
A unique, free event, Old Fashioned Day in Burton W. Chace Park features vintage yachts, and antique and classic cars and motorcycles. Watch ship models and modelers do their work or take a free ride in the harbor aboard a steam engine yacht. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 626-335-8843 for more information.

Festival of the Chariots
Follow this Hare Krishna-themed parade from the Santa Monica Civic Center to Ocean Front Walk in Venice. Festivities include Indian music, dancing and a vegetarian feast. Free. Call 310-837-8147 for more information.

Gillis Volleyball Invitational Players compete in a zany volleyball tournament-beach bash dressed in quirky, kooky costumes. Dockweiler Beach, 6200 Vista del Mar, Playa del Rey; 9 a.m.- dark. Free. Call 800-470-5166 or visit thegillis.com for exact dates and information.

Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival
This annual Labor Day-weekend tribute to the sounds of '20s through Ô40s features swing, jazz, blues bands dancing, memorabilia & records. On Thursday, there's an awards show honoring classic jazz legends, 7:30 p.m., Admission prices vary. Call 818- 461-9260 or visit www.sweethot.org for location and the latest information.

Venice Bodybuilding & Figure Championships
Venice Beach crowns their best and bulkiest body builders at this Labor Day competition. The contest takes place at 1800 Ocean Front Walk and begins at 10 a.m.; the finals start at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Call 310-399-2775 or visit laparks.org for more information.

City of Los Angeles Triathlon
This event is headquartered in Marina del Rey and usually takes place on the second Sunday of the month. Participate or watch the 1.5K swim, followed by a 40K bike race and 10K run that winds through Hollywood and ends in downtown L.A. The swim begins at 7 a.m. at Venice Beach, north of Venice Pier between Washington and Venice Boulevards. Call 714-978-1528 or visit latriathalon.com for registration information and details.

Fiesta!
Experience Spanish folklorico dance, mariachi music, historical exhibitions, demonstrations, food and tours of the historic 1834 Adobe Complex, all in one afternoon. Fiesta! usually takes place on a Sunday in mid-September at 7634 Midfield in Westchester from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Call 310-649-6272 for specific dates and more information.

Coastal Clean Up Day
Coastal Cleanup Day is held annually on the third Saturday of September. Heal the Bay and the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors are the Los Angeles County coordinators for the state of California's Coastal Cleanup Day. End of summer volunteer local beach & marina clean up day. Sponsored by Heal the Bay. More than 10,000 volunteers clean up sites along Santa Monica Bay. Contact 800-432-5229 or healthebay.org for more information.

Venice Music Festival
A champagne brunch kicks off this benefit for Venice area housing projects. The annual festival also features concerts by Latin and African bands and a silent auction. The brunch begins at 11 a.m. and the concerts are from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Brunch is $100; suggested concert donation is $20. Call 310-399-4100 x106 for specific date information and reservations (733-743 Palms Blvd., Venice).

Abbot Kinney Boulevard Street Festival
On one Sunday each September Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice closes to motor traffic from Main Street to Venice Boulevard to accommodate a celebration of community. Stages feature live music, dancers and performance artists, there are also food areas, a children's court, an art pavilion and more than 300 vendors selling original, handcrafted goods. The festival is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 310- 396-3772 or visit abbotkinney.org for specific date and more information.

Discover Marina del Rey Day
The first Sunday in October, Burton W. Chace Park is the site for a celebration of Marina del Rey. Enjoy live music, food and drinks, community booths, sailboat races, children's story times, U.S. Coast Guard, L.A. County Fire and Lifeguard demonstrations. Children's inflatable activities and games are $5 each; admission is free. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.;13650 Mindanao Way, 310- 305-9545; labeaches.info for more information.

Carnevale Venice Beach
Usually held the last Saturday in October from noon to 10 p.m. in Windward Circle, Venice Beach, this costumed street celebration is cast in the tradition of the famed Carnevale in Venice Italy. It features live performances, a costume contest, arts and crafts vendors, a food court, beer and wine garden, the Concourso Venezia Car Show, live DJs and a Burning Man exhibit. Admission is free. Visit carnevale.us for more information.

Los Angeles Carnival
A Caribbean street festival usually held the second weekend in October, Los Angeles Carnival includes a parade with dancing, games, music and Caribbean food. The event takes place in Westchester Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Parade begins at 88th Street and Liberator Avenue and ends at Westchester Park. Admission is free; 700 W. Manchester Ave.; 310-410-0174 for more information.

Tour of the Tall Ships
Usually held the first or second week in December. Enjoy a tour of an 18th Century tall ship to learn more about how sailors of the time lived and how they navigated across miles of open ocean. The event includes dockside tours, adventure sails, battle sails, and the lighted boat parade sail. Berthed at Fisherman's Village and open to the public. For details and pricing call 800-200-5239 or visit historicalseaport.org.

Marina del Rey Holiday Magic Boat Parade
Usually held the first Saturday evening in December. Festively decorated boats illuminate the main channel in one of the Marina's most visually exciting events. A preview Boat Parade takes place the Friday evening before the main event. Saturday's main parade is preceded by a short fireworks display in the Main Channel at 5:55 p.m. The best viewing of the parade is at Burton Chace Park and Fisherman's Village. Call 310-670-7130 or visit mdrboatparade.org for details.

Westchester Annual Holiday Parade
Usually held the second week of December. The Old-fashioned street parade features local civic and youth groups as well as school children. The parade starts at 2 p.m. at the cross of Loyola and Manchester Boulevards and goes east on Manchester. Call 310-863-0834 for details.

Luminarias
Each December, usually on the third Sunday, the historic 1834 Centinela Adobe Complex hosts a fun-filled evening with candles lit in sand-filled paper bags, creating a glow over the building. The event includes a music program, Christmas tree and ornamental display. Tours begin at 6:30 p.m. Call 310-677-2067 for specific date information.

New Year's Eve Cruise
Enjoy a delicious four-course holiday dinner Gala Celebration aboard a Hornblower luxury cruise ship in Marina del Rey harbor. This four-hour cruise, four-course dinner, comes with holiday decorations, party favors, and a boarding glass of champagne. $150 per person. Call 888-467-6256 or visit Hornblower.com for details.

New Year's Eve Fireworks
Watch fireworks shot from the south jetty light up the sky over Marina del Rey on New Year's Eve. Beginning at 11:59 p.m. & 30 seconds, one firework will be shot into the air each second, counting down to midnight when a five-minute fireworks show will burst across the night sky. Fireworks can be seen from almost anywhere in the marina. Free. Call 310-305-9545 for more information.