Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles | The Ritz-Carlton, Marina de Rey

Southern California is home to beautiful beaches, majestic hikes and renowned culinary, nightlife and arts scenes. Each day of your vacation could take you down a different path, which is why packing the right items is essential.

Beach Vacation

Southern California’s beaches are the stuff of legend. Whether you prefer celebrity-laden Malibu, the carnival entertainment of Santa Monica Pier, or the surfer haven of Manhattan Beach, make sure to pack the necessities for a worry-free time in the sand.

Even if you don’t plan on surfing, a wetsuit rental is a good idea if you want to swim since the Pacific Ocean is generally cold.

Bring a canvas tote to carry your beach essentials — towels, sunscreen, hats, lots of reading material, casual cover-ups and toys for the kids.

Nights will be chilly — pack a sweatshirt or comfy cardigan.

Summer Escape

Summer is all about spending plenty of time on the water. From Marina del Rey, you can participate in watersports, then charter a yacht for the most quintessential seasonal pastime — a sunset cruise.

Pack a swimsuit for parasailing, paddle boarding, snorkeling and windsurfing.

Casual shorts and tanks are a classic summer uniform in Southern California.

For fancy boat charters, throw in a few silk dresses and khakis and button-downs.

Weekend Getaway

Alfresco dining and imbibing along the marina, boat rides out in the blue Pacific and shopping on illustrious avenues (like Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard or Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive) are the perfect ingredients for a relaxing weekend escape.

Keep your wardrobe simple with jeans, loose tees, flat sandals, and sneakers.

For more upscale restaurants and bars, a blazer and a dressier pair of shoes will seamlessly upgrade your daytime look for evening.

In the event of a fruitful shopping excursion, pack an extra carry-on to bring home your new acquisitions.

Don’t Forget:

Californians are all about embracing an active and healthy lifestyle. Coupled with warm weather year-round, hiking here is practically a way of life. With an abundance of beautiful, scenic trails from Malibu to Los Feliz, you won’t want to miss out. Bring hiking shoes or sneakers and workout clothes.

Whether you’re simply getting away from Los Angeles for the weekend or planning your annual vacation, there are some experiences that deserve, or even require, reservations.

Dining Reservations

Perhaps fueled by the emergence of Silicon Beach next door, Marina del Rey has become its own foodie haven. At The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey’s Cast & Plow, specializes in community-made, locally sustainable cuisine. Executive Chef Eric Duchene gives his equal attention to what goes into each dish as to how it’s presented. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the restaurant (especially the outdoor fireside tables) boasts unparalleled views of the Marina and those glorious West Coast sunsets. For artisan, farm-fresh sandwiches, head to local favorite Mendocino Farms and be prepared to wait — it will be worth it. Should you feel like venturing to Venice next door, make a reservation at Scopa Italian Roots, or venture to Abbott Kinney where Gjelina, Felix, or Tasting Kitchen come highly recommended.

Spa Appointments

After so much time spent in the sun and on the water, your body will crave a break. Adjacent to the marina, Sisley Spa offers a retreat inspired by the beauty and serenity that encompasses it. Sisley-Paris is known for its use of essential oils and plant extracts to create highly effective products and long-lasting results. Spa guests can enjoy a variety of amenities including a couple’s suite, nail salon, tranquility lounge, and waterfront pool access.

Children’s Activities

Before the development of Marina del Rey, the whole area was a salt marsh. Some of it has been preserved in the form of the Ballona Wetlands, an ecological sanctuary where you can spot over 300 species of birds. And don’t forget you’re in a city full of theme parks, from Disneyland to Universal Studios (which, of course, is home to the immensely popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter). For water activities, the concierge at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey will help you book anything from kayaks to Jet-Skis.

On the Water Activities

Southern California offers an array of experiences for couples, families and solo travelers. Whether your getaway is only a few hours or a few days, the hotel's destination experts have curated itineraries to help you make the most of your stay. The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey is located waterfront to some of the most unique and memorial experiences that are on-the-water. Set sail with retired Navy Veteran on a 42’ sailing yacht located steps from the hotel, stand-up paddle out of Marina Beach, take a sunset dinner cruise around the marina, or parasail along the coastline of Santa Monica.

Day Trips

Visitors to The Ritz, Carlton, Marina del Rey have easy access to the most popular attractions in Southern California including; shopping at Rodeo Drive, live Broadway shows at The Hollywood Pantages Theatre, Disneyland and Universal Studios theme parks, Sony Picture and Warner Bro. studio tours, The Getty, The Broad, Los Angeles County Museum of Art museums and neighboring beaches. The hotel is also 20 minutes from the 53 acre Porsche Experience Center which offers eight unique driving modules.

A glass-walled dining room overlooks a street at sunset

12 Hours

Even if you only have a day, it’s easy to fall into the healthy, effortlessly cool California lifestyle oozing from Marina del Rey. The sun-and-surf-based local attitude is contagious and easy to embrace. Begin your day on the water with a stand-up paddle board lesson and reward your efforts with a locavore breakfast of trendy avocado toast and fresh-pressed juice.

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Family Vacation Fun

Marina del Rey offers nonstop activities, both indoors and out. From thrilling adventures, like paragliding above the Pacific or surfing its waves, to fun-filled educational activities, like feeding sea stars and going behind the scenes of a movie studio. Catch a game at Dodger Stadium or pretend you’re in Italy with a gondola ride through the Venice canals. Throughout the week, you can fuel your sightseeing with fresh-from-the-farm-and-sea meals and artisanal sweet treats.