Marina del Rey in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Marina del Rey
Thirtieth Anniversary
| | 1957-1987 | |
Photographed by Craig Baker, December 4, 2018
1. Marina Del Rey Marker
On December 12, 1957, near this site a groundbreaking ceremony took place to signal the start of construction of the Marina Del Rey small craft harbor, a revenue bond project of the County of Los Angeles.
Under the guidance of the Los Angeles County engineer and the South Pacific division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, various contractors converted 804 acres of mostly marshland into the worlds largest man-made recreational boating harbor, home port for more than 6,000 boats.
During the ensuing three decades the promises held for this massive pioneering project have come to pass. In this 30th year those who held stewardship of this magnificent public asset rededicate themselves to the continuing task of fulfilling the harbors mission as an enriching recreational, residential, and commercial enterprise.
Erected 1987 by County of Los Angeles.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 33° 58.023′ N, 118° 27.178′ W. Marker is in Marina del Rey, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Via Marina south of Old Harbor Lane. Located in Marina Del Rey Inlet
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gabrielino-Tongva People (approx. half a mile away); History of Ballona Lagoon (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Helmsman (approx. Ύ mile away); Dodd Playa Del Rey Residence (approx. Ύ mile away); Marina del Rey Small Craft Harbor (approx. 0.9 miles away); Venice Canals (approx. 1.3 miles away); Luminaries of Pantheism Mural (approx. 1½ miles away); Venice Corner Ball Park (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marina del Rey.
Regarding Marina del Rey. Coastal wetlands were once thought of as useless marshland that should be eliminated. They are now known to be critical to the health of rivers, oceans, and wildlife. A long-planned expansion of the marina was recently canceled in favor of the creation of Ballona Freshwater Marsh, and in 2017 planning began for restoration of the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve.
Photographed by Craig Baker, December 4, 2018
2. Marina Del Rey Marker
Overlooking the Main Channel.
courtesy USGS maps, 2004
3. Marina Del Rey
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on August 31, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
