Boats returning from the Sunset Racing Series.

Ann Ach has run this racing series for many, many years winning the admiration of serious racers in the region. Ann was the Yachtsman of the year for Southern California Yachting Association in 2003. In 2006 she received the very distinguished C.Y.C. Signal Award. She and Jim have been friends of the Quest participating in two Del Rey Yacht Club International yacht races to Puerto Vallarta. Jim has joined us on several bluewater passages and both have provided land support for the Quest. We are grateful to them and this page is dedicated to them.

Entering Marina del Rey from the ocean can be confusing (especially at night)! It's important to visualize the detached breakwater when entering the marina! This is best done by getting your boat fairly close to the beach either on the north or south side and entering parallel to the beach (but a bit close to the detached breakwater as you enter because there is shoaling toward the land side of the entrance). Now have I completely confused you?

A classic view of Fisherman's Village. A trip to Marina del Rey is not complete without a visit to Fisherman's Village. This is definitely a tourist attraction with shops, restaurants, large boat cruises and small boat rentals.

More views of Fisherman's Village (left).

The Mariner of Burton Chase Park. This statue overlooks the guest docks at Marina del Rey. Visitors arriving by sea should look for this figure to find where they're supposed to dock their boat.

More views of Burton Chase Park. This park is a gathering place for Sunday picnickers, the Boy Scouts, tourists and local visitors. In the summer time the park hosts musical events on Thursday nights. Local boats jockey for position to get a slip close to the music on those nights. 

Moonlight over the water is romantic wherever you are! I never weary of marveling over how light reflects on the water. It's especially nice when sitting on your boat! (I just took another look at this photo and realized that it's of San Diego, not Marina del Rey - Oh Well!).

Views from along the bike path. The bike path extends from Pacific Palisades to Palos Verdes. It's probably the most popular biking path on the west side of Los Angeles. Summer weekends often create a traffic jamb with families enjoying a cycling outing. Serious cyclists have to be careful and slow down to avoid accidents.

Nearby Venice Canals - within walking distance of the marina! It's a great place to stroll - often not crowded. Lots of ducks make the canals their home though many just visit on their way north or south.

Many waterfowl are attracted to the marina environs. There are bird sanctuaries in the area which attract many species, which in turn attract many serious bird watchers.

A visitor to Marina del Rey! I was told that occasionally swans to visit the marina, but since I've never seen them (and because this one created such a photo op) I had to get a few shots of him.

Marina del Rey attracts many pleasure craft. The County of L.A. is making many changes to the marina in an effort to pay for ever mounting costs. Locals are concerned that visiting pleasure craft will choose other marinas as this one gets more crowded, more expensive and less user friendly.

Leaving the M.D.R. breakwater. The marina has traditionally held Forth of July firework displays over the water. Many people take their boats out at that time creating a bumper car situation on the water.