Marina del Rey, CA

HISTORY

Marina del Rey, CA is a coastal community in Los Angeles County known for having one of the largest man made small craft harbors in North America. The area was originally composed of marshlands and saltwater wetlands inhabited by the Tongva people long before modern development. In the early 1960s, Los Angeles County approved a major harbor project, and construction began in 1963 to transform the wetlands into a recreational marina. Officially opened in 1965, Marina del Rey quickly became a premier boating and waterfront destination in CA. The name translates from Spanish to “Harbor of the King,” reflecting California’s Spanish heritage. According to Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, the marina now supports thousands of boat slips and attracts millions of visitors annually.