Strolling a water world
The confusing layout of the streets around Marina del Rey combined with limited street parking make this an almost traffic- free destination for a walk along Ballona Lagoon, the main marina channel and a deserted strip of Venice Beach.
1After parking, walk to the corner of Marques as Way and Via Dolce and head south. ( If you’re not sure where south is, walk as the house addresses get higher.) Soon you’ll see Ballona Lagoon on the right. When you get to the pedestrian path bordered by a split- rail fence on your right, turn in and begin your walk.
2 Followthe path as it bends left and parallels the water way connecting Ballona Lagoon and the main Marina del Rey channel. Here, along the pathway, youmay see herons and egrets in the shallowwater. Up ahead, and up high, you may also see a different kind of bird— jet airplanes taking off from Los Angeles International Airport to the south.
3 When the pathway ends, cross Via Marina for a sweeping view of the main marina channel, which is generally full of sailing vessels and pleasure boats that are heading in and out of the harbor. When you’ve ogled enough of the scenery, turn right and walk west along the channel, past Pacific Avenue and toward the Pacific Ocean.
4Just past a two- story, shingled Craftsman bungalow, turn right onto the narrow beach front path knownas Ocean Front Walk. Heading north, you’ll pass volleyball courts and a fenced- off area of beach where protected plovers build their nests.
5 At Top sail Street, where Ocean FrontWalk ends, turn right. Cross Speedway and Pacific avenues, then followthe sidewalk on the east side of Pacific Avenue, going north along the Ballona canal.
6After crossing a series of nauticalthemed streets, in reverse alphabetical order, from Spinnaker to Mast, turn right onto Lighthouse Street and use the pedestrian bridge to cross the water way. Then pick up your original pathway, turn left, and return to your starting point.