Why you should experience Palawan Way in Los Angeles, California.
Palawan Way is a sophisticated corridor where Marina del Rey's waterfront lifestyle, recreational boating, planned development, and coastal hospitality define one of Los Angeles County's most distinctive marina streets.
Running through Marina del Rey between Del Rey and Venice, the corridor connects yacht basins, waterfront residences, hotels, restaurants, neighborhood services, and public parks that collectively reflect the creation of the largest man-made small-craft harbor in the United States. Palm-lined streets, landscaped promenades, marina views, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, and carefully maintained public spaces preserve a corridor shaped by coastal planning, maritime recreation, and sustained public investment. Marina operators, hospitality businesses, recreational organizations, Los Angeles County agencies, and residents continue reinforcing Palawan Way's importance while supporting boating, commerce, tourism, and waterfront life throughout Marina del Rey. The result is an experience defined by coastal elegance, maritime tradition, and the enduring character of Marina del Rey.
What you should know about Palawan Way.
Palawan Way is best known for serving the central waterfront of Marina del Rey, a harbor developed by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors following authorization by the United States Congress through the River and Harbor Act of 1954, with construction beginning in 1957 and formal dedication in 1965. The corridor occupies land formerly associated with the 13,920-acre Rancho La Ballona, granted in 1839 by Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado to Ygnacio Machado and Agustín Machado, before much of the surrounding landscape consisted of tidal wetlands and salt marshes connected to Ballona Creek. Harbor construction required dredging more than 2 million cubic yards of sediment to create protected yacht basins, navigable waterways, and 5,000 recreational boat slips, establishing Marina del Rey as the nation's largest man-made small-craft harbor. Continued redevelopment of waterfront residences, marina facilities, hotels, restaurants, and public promenades reinforced Palawan Way's importance as a neighborhood connector serving one of Southern California's most significant maritime recreation districts.
Burton W. Chace Park, dedicated in 1972, occupies 10 acres overlooking the main harbor and serves as Marina del Rey's principal waterfront gathering space for concerts, festivals, and community events throughout the year. The Ballona Lagoon Marine Preserve, immediately west of the corridor, protects estuarine habitat supporting migratory birds, marine organisms, and native coastal vegetation while contributing to ongoing environmental stewardship within Marina del Rey. The Ballona Creek Bike Path provides 7 miles of paved bicycle access linking inland Los Angeles communities with Marina del Rey, strengthening regional recreational connectivity serving Palawan Way. The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors continues managing harbor operations, marina leases, navigation facilities, public docks, and waterfront infrastructure that sustain Palawan Way's central role within Marina del Rey.
How to fold Palawan Way into your trip.
Palawan Way works as an exploration of Marina del Rey's waterfront recreation, harbor history, and coastal atmosphere.
Begin at Burton W. Chace Park, where landscaped lawns, harbor overlooks, and public gathering spaces introduce the waterfront character surrounding Palawan Way before continuing along the marina. Continue to Fisherman's Village, where excursion vessels, marina views, and waterfront dining reflect the recreational boating traditions that have defined Marina del Rey since the harbor's opening. Conclude at Ballona Lagoon Marine Preserve, where shoreline paths, coastal habitats, and quiet waterfront scenery provide a memorable finale celebrating the environmental resources that complement the marina's active boating culture. The progression moves naturally from public waterfront space to maritime activity before concluding with protected coastal habitat, revealing why Palawan Way continues expressing the enduring character of Marina del Rey.
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