Celebrating 60 Years in Marina del Rey

MARINA DEL REY—April 10, 2025—Thursday marks 60 years since Marina del Rey harbor’s formal dedication on April 10, 1965.

Efforts to develop what would eventually become Marina del Rey began in 1887, when M.C. Wicks organized the Port Ballona Development Company under the Santa Fe Railroad. Wicks dreamed of transforming the Playa del Rey estuary into a commercial harbor for Los Angeles. But after $300,000 and three years of construction, the company went bankrupt, and the dream faded. A 1916 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report later deemed the project impractical.

Interest revived in the 1930s, but San Pedro was ultimately chosen as the city’s main commercial port. From that point on, the vision for this stretch of coastline shifted—toward a harbor for small craft and public recreation.

By 1949, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined that a pleasure craft harbor was feasible, and by 1965, Marina del Rey and its breakwater were officially completed. The project totaled $36.25 million, funded by County, State, and Federal sources. Today, Marina del Rey stands as North America’s largest human-made small craft harbor—a testament to vision, resilience, and the power of public investment.

Now, Marina del Rey is being reimagined. As one of the few publicly owned marinas in Southern California, it is uniquely positioned to serve as a model for coastal equity, access, and sustainability. Owned by the County of Los Angeles and managed by the Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH), the Marina is more than a harbor—it’s a public asset that includes coastal recreation, housing, shopping, and dining opportunities for all Angelenos.

Marina del Rey for All, a transformative initiative championed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and led by DBH, envisions the Marina as a welcoming, inclusive space that reflects the County’s vibrancy and diversity. It aims to maximize the Marina’s potential to better serve its rightful owners—the people of Los Angeles County.

As we celebrate 60 years of Marina del Rey, we honor its past while looking ahead to a more inclusive future. Through inclusive planning, transparent engagement, and community-led visioning, Los Angeles County is reimagining the Marina as a place where everyone—regardless of zip code—can feel welcome, connected, and empowered to enjoy and shape the coast for generations to come.