Marina Peninsula Beach (Charlie Beach)

South of Venice Beach and the Venice Fishing Pier is a peninsula formed between the ocean and the Marina Del Rey Harbor. This area, called Marina Peninsula is technically in Los Angeles, but it’s considered by most to be in the adjacent small city of Marina Del Rey which surrounds the harbor. Locals call this less-touristy beach on the peninsula “Charlie Beach”.

The beach here is much quieter, but just as sandy as the nearby Venice beaches. There’s a parking strip along Via Marina on the north side of the harbor entrance channel next to Ballona Lagoon, an extension of the Venice Canals. This parking lot is the easiest way to access Marina Peninsula Beach. You could also walk here from the Venice Pier area along the Ocean Front Walk in front of the peninsula’s homes or along the wet part of the beach, a distance of one mile.

There is a paved walkway with railings that leads out onto the end of the north jetty and provides excellent views back toward Marina Del Rey and over to the Venice Pier. Another paved walkway leads to a restroom building that is an island in the sand.

Across the harbor entrance channel and the mouth of Ballona Creek is the Playa Del Rey neighborhood and the flight path of LAX airport so you might see planes coming and going. Yachts and sailboats will likely be passing by the jetty too.

Address

Via Marina & Pacific Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90292

Park Name

Marina Del Rey Inlet Park, Aubrey E. Austin Jr. Park, Venice Beach Protected Sand Dunes

Other Names

South Venice Beach, Ballona Lagoon, Ballona Creek

Owner

City Beach

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach

Fees

Metered parking

Activities

Walking, Sunbathing, Swimming, Surfing, Biking, Skating, Beach Walking

Amenities

Lifeguards, Restrooms, Showers, Paved Paths, Benches, Jetties, Viewpoints, Accessible Features, Interpretive Signs (at the lagoon)

Links

Water Quality
Water Temps
Tide Chart
Venice Surf Report