The Los Angeles Beach Town Most Travelers Skip
Every time friends ask me where to stay in Los Angeles, I watch them reach for the usual answers: Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice. Those are all fun. But if you want the ocean without the crowds, I point them somewhere quieter: Playa del Rey.
It is a small bluff-top community tucked between the Pacific and the Ballona Wetlands, a few minutes from LAX and a short drive from Marina del Rey, Venice, and Santa Monica. When I describe it to travelers, I call it the Los Angeles beach town that still feels like a beach town.
This guide is about one home there, 115 Waterview, Playa del Rey, CA 90293, and about what a stay on this stretch of coast is really like. I will cover the neighborhood, what to eat, how to get around, and how the pricing works, so you can decide if it fits your trip.
The Quick Facts
- Address: 115 Waterview, Playa del Rey, CA 90293
- Nightly rate: $1,000
- Monthly rate: $20,000
- Vibe: Quiet residential beach community on the Westside
- Closest airport: LAX, only minutes away
Why I Like Staying in a Home Instead of a Hotel
After years of writing about travel, I have noticed that the best trips are rarely the ones with the fanciest lobby. They are the ones where you can make coffee in a real kitchen, sit on a patio at the end of the day, and feel like you live somewhere for a little while.
A private home gives you that. It also gives groups and families something hotels rarely do: shared space plus private rooms. And for longer stays, it is simply more comfortable.
The Home, the Price, and How Booking Works
What to Expect Inside
Here is where a travel blogger usually describes the first thing they notice when they walk in.
The home offers bedrooms and bathrooms and sleeps guests.
The details I always check, and that you probably care about too:
- [Wi-Fi speed and workspace]
- [Kitchen equipment]
- [Air conditioning and heating]
- [Washer and dryer]
- [Parking]
- [Outdoor seating, BBQ, or fire feature]
- [Pet and child policies]
The Price, Explained Simply
| Stay | Rate | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Nightly | $1,000 per night | Celebrations, short getaways, group weekends |
| Monthly | $20,000 per month | Relocations, production work, remote work, long holidays |
If you do the math on a 30-day month, the monthly rate works out to roughly $667 a night. That is a big difference if you are staying a while, and it is why I usually tell friends with flexible schedules to look at the monthly option first.
How to Book
- Send your dates and number of guests.
- Get a reply with availability and a full quote.
- Sign the rental agreement and pay the deposit to hold your dates.
- Receive check-in instructions and local tips before you arrive.
A quick travel-planning tip: summer and holiday dates go first, so reach out early.
The Neighborhood: Sand, Wetlands, and Golden Hour
When I research a destination, I look for the places locals actually spend their weekends. In Playa del Rey, that list is short and delightful.
Beach Days Without the Crowds
The shoreline here is wide and open. Nearby Dockweiler State Beach is known for its long stretch of sand and designated fire pits, which makes an evening bonfire one of the most classic Southern California things you can do. Rules on fires, hours, and parking can change, so check the current details before you go.
Sunsets You Will Plan Your Day Around
The coast faces west, so every evening ends with a show. I am the kind of traveler who will rearrange dinner plans to catch a good sunset, and this is exactly the kind of place that rewards it.
A Quiet Morning at the Ballona Wetlands
Just beside the community lies the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, a protected area of marsh and dunes that draws many bird species. If you like a slow morning with a camera or a pair of binoculars, it is a great change from the busy parts of the city.
The Bike Path I Would Not Skip
One of my favorite things about the Westside is the coastal path. You can ride or run from this area toward Marina del Rey, Venice, and Santa Monica with the ocean next to you most of the way. It is flat, scenic, and easy to turn into a full day.
Ideas for active travelers:
- A sunrise run on the shoreline
- A casual ride to Venice Beach and back
- Stand-up paddleboarding in Marina del Rey
- Morning yoga on the sand
- An easy bluff walk after dinner
Weather Notes From a Packer
Summer mornings near the water often start with a marine layer that burns off by midday. Fall is one of my favorite seasons here, with warm days and thinner crowds. Winter is cooler with occasional rain, and spring is mild and green. In every season, I pack a light jacket for the evenings.
Where to Eat and How to Explore Los Angeles From Here
Eating Like a Local
Breakfast and coffee. I never trust a neighborhood until I find its coffee spot. Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, and Marina del Rey all have independent cafés and brunch places.
Seafood and waterfront dinners. With the Pacific right there, seafood is the obvious order. Marina del Rey has harbor-side restaurants where you can watch the boats.
Takeout nights. My favorite evenings on longer trips are the quiet ones: tacos, pizza, or sushi on the patio.
Groceries and markets. If you like to cook, nearby grocery stores and Southern California farmers’ markets make it easy. Your Westside Home Base
Here is how I think about the geography. Playa del Rey is the quiet anchor, and the busy places are short trips away.
| Destination | Why go | Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Marina del Rey | Harbor, dining, boating | Short drive or bike ride |
| Venice Beach and canals | Boardwalk, murals, canals | Short drive or coastal bike ride |
| Santa Monica Pier | Beach, rides, shopping | Short drive |
| Culver City | Food, galleries, studios | Short drive |
| Getty Center | Art and city views | Moderate drive |
| Hollywood and Griffith Observatory | Walk of Fame, views | Moderate drive |
| Disneyland and Universal | Theme parks | Longer drive, plan a full day |
My Tips for Moving Around LA
- Cluster your days. Venice and Santa Monica make a great pair; Hollywood deserves its own day.
- Avoid rush hour. Mid-morning and early evening are usually easier.
- Rent a car or use rideshare. A car is the most flexible, and rideshare works well for dinners and airport runs.
- Use the bike path. It is a pleasant way to reach the marina and Venice.
The LAX Advantage
One reason I recommend this area is the airport. LAX is only minutes away, which makes late arrivals and early departures much less stressful. Because of the proximity, you may occasionally notice aircraft. For many travelers, that is a fair trade for the convenience.
Who Should Stay Here, and How I Would Spend the Days
Travelers I Would Send Here
- Families and multigenerational groups who want shared space and private bedrooms
- Friend groups planning a birthday, reunion, or celebration weekend
- Relocating professionals who need a calm, furnished base for a few weeks
- Production teams and creatives working on the Westside
- Remote workers who want to swap the home office for the coast
- International travelers who like starting or ending a California road trip near LAX
If you want nightlife outside your front door, I would suggest Venice or Santa Monica instead. The good news is that both are an easy trip from here.
Itinerary 1: A Long Weekend (3 Nights)
Day 1. Arrive, stretch your legs on the bluff, stock the kitchen, and watch the sunset from the patio or the sand.
Day 2. Coffee first, then ride the coastal path to Marina del Rey and Venice. Eat lunch near the canals, wander Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and finish with dinner or a beach bonfire.
Day 3. Spend the day in Santa Monica, then drive north toward Malibu for views and seafood. Return for a quiet evening.
Day 4. Slow breakfast, a final walk by the water, then a short ride to LAX.
Itinerary 2: A Month on the Coast
- Week 1: Settle in. Find your coffee shop, grocery store, and a favorite beach corner. Set up your workspace.
- Week 2: Explore the Westside. Take a day each in Venice, Santa Monica, and Culver City, plus a visit to the Getty Center.
- Week 3: Go farther. Spend a day in Hollywood and at Griffith Observatory, drive up the coast, and plan a theme-park or studio day.
- Week 4: Live like a local. Try a morning class near the coast, shop a farmers’ market, cook dinner for friends, and end with a sunset bonfire.
Packing and Planning Tips
- Bring layers for cool coastal evenings
- Use sunscreen, even on cloudy days
- Reserve popular restaurants early in summer and on holidays
- Check local rules for beach fires and parking
Questions Readers Ask Me
How much does it cost? $1,000 per night or $20,000 per month. Fees and taxes may apply.
Is there a minimum stay?
How many guests can stay?
Is it close to the beach? Yes, it is in the beachside community of Playa del Rey, near Dockweiler State Beach.
How close is LAX? Only a few minutes by car, depending on traffic. Aircraft may occasionally be noticeable.
Is there parking?
Are pets or events allowed?
Is the Wi-Fi good enough for work?
What does the monthly rate include?
What is the cancellation policy?
Ready to Plan Your Coastal Stay?
If this sounds like your kind of trip, send your dates and I will help you check availability. The beach is waiting, and the sunsets do not disappoint.
- Address: 115 Waterview, Playa del Rey, CA 90293
- Nightly rate: $1,000
- Monthly rate: $20,000
- Contact: M:1-832-609-588
T:(626) 290-1951
email: Jhefangjilllin@gmail.com
