Free weekend concerts, dining by the harbor, sailing into a vast expanse of ocean and watching sea lions chill out... Marina del Rey in California is a little bit of heaven. The town has a cool 70s laid-back vibe. Get your trip going with a FlipKey vacation rental.

About Marina del Rey

With more than 5000 small-boat slips, Marina del Rey is the biggest man-made marina in America. In fact, its name in Spanish means 'Harbor of the King.'

Created 50 years ago and known for being a singles hang-out with a Beach Boys vibe, today it's incredibly trendy, with lots of development, including Fisherman's Village and its iconic lighthouse. Families love it, so do romantic couples and groups of friends just looking for a fun place to party.

The first people to live on the land where Marina del Rey sits were the Gabrielino Indians. Then the Spanish moved in and finally the Angelenos. The plan to turn the former wetlands into a $23 million harbor was made by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1949. It was to moor more than 8,000 small boats. Five years later, President Eisenhower gave the go-ahead for it to become a federal project.

The rest, as they say, is history!

What to do

Take a boat charter out to sea to fish for barracuda, white sea bass, yellowtail and halibut. If fishing isn’t your thing, go whale-washing on the ocean.

If you're feeling fit, then rent a bike at Fisherman's Village and take the 22-mile-long Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Path along the beach front. There are spectacular views all the way along.

Active types can play volleyball on Marina del Rey beach, or go hiking along the vast expanse of sand.

Head to the Marina Beach parking lot every Thursday from May 4 to September 28 for lots of trucks offering 'beach eats.' Or, enjoy some upmarket waterfront dining by popping in to any of the restaurants overlooking the harbor, of which there are many different cuisines.

If you want a day of sitting on grass rather than sand, then walk up to Burton W Chace Park. Why not take a picnic?

Top Marina Del Rey travel tips

For wholesome food head on over to the daily Farmer's Market on the west side of town.

Try and avoid Lincoln Boulevard. It's the town's most congested artery and not fun to drive on.

Nearest airport to Marina del Rey is Los Angeles International. Get the Santa Monica Blue Bus to Mindanao & Lincoln for just $1 (you'll need exact change). A taxi into town is around $20.

Get around with the Marina WaterBus for $1 each time. During the summer, you can catch the Marina Beach Shuttle around the Marina and Venice Pier area. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes.

Just as glamorous as nearby Santa Monica, but quieter, Marina del Rey attracts those who just want to 'stay put and hang out' rather than tourists looking for a base to see Los Angeles. If that sounds like you, book your Marina del Rey vacation rental with FlipKey.