Playa del Rey, CA Properties | Metro Realty Advisors

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Playa del Rey, Spanish for "Beach of the King," is a seaside neighborhood on the westside of Los Angeles in the Santa Monica Bay region of Los Angeles County. The community occupies a coastal strip between the Pacific Ocean, the Ballona Wetlands, and the neighborhoods of Westchester and Marina del Rey, and it lies immediately north of Los Angeles International Airport. With roughly 14,400 residents, Playa del Rey is one of the quieter, more tucked-away coastal pockets of the westside. The area's modern history began in the early twentieth century, when the Beach Land Company acquired more than a thousand acres and began promoting the shorefront. An early landmark, the Hotel del Rey, anchored the beach area until it was destroyed by fire in the 1920s. The original 1921 land development, called Palisades del Rey by the Dickinson and Gillespie Company, later came to be known as Playa del Rey. Development of the Del Rey Hills neighborhood followed in the late 1920s, establishing the residential pattern that persists today. The lagoon formed by Ballona Creek historically shaped the landscape before early twentieth-century development and subsequent wetland restoration redefined it. Today Playa del Rey is a predominantly residential coastal community known for its beach, the Ballona Creek bike path, and proximity to the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. Its location near LAX and Marina del Rey places it within easy reach of employment and recreation across the westside, while its low-key, beach-town atmosphere distinguishes it from busier coastal neighbors. A small commercial district serves residents, and the neighborhood's compact geography keeps daily life oriented toward the water and the wetlands rather than the heavy commercial traffic of adjacent areas.

Population 14,400

County Los Angeles County

Active Listings 181

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Playa del Rey mean?

Playa del Rey is Spanish for "Beach of the King." The neighborhood was originally developed in 1921 under the name Palisades del Rey before becoming known as Playa del Rey, reflecting its shoreline setting on Santa Monica Bay.

Where is Playa del Rey located?

Playa del Rey is on the westside of Los Angeles in the Santa Monica Bay region of Los Angeles County. It sits between the Pacific Ocean, the Ballona Wetlands, and Marina del Rey, immediately north of Los Angeles International Airport.

What school district serves Playa del Rey?

Playa del Rey is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, with students attending local LAUSD campuses on the westside. Private and charter school options are also available in the surrounding area.

Is Playa del Rey close to LAX?

Yes. Playa del Rey is located immediately north of Los Angeles International Airport, making it one of the closest residential neighborhoods to the airport on Los Angeles's westside, a major convenience for frequent travelers.

City Guide

About Playa del Rey

Real Estate & Housing

Playa del Rey's housing stock blends early- and mid-century coastal construction with newer condominium and apartment buildings. The neighborhood includes compact single-family homes, beach-adjacent residences, and multi-family buildings concentrated along its main corridors and near the water. Its position between the beach and the Ballona Wetlands, along with proximity to LAX and the westside's job centers, sustains steady demand. The community's coastal setting and relatively quiet, residential character distinguish it within a dense urban region.

Neighborhoods

Playa del Rey is framed by its geography: the Pacific Ocean and beach to the west, the Ballona Wetlands and Ballona Creek to the south and east, and the adjoining westside communities of Marina del Rey, Westchester, and Playa Vista nearby. The Del Rey Hills area, developed beginning in the late 1920s, forms a key residential section on the neighborhood's inland edge. The community's boundaries keep it compact and distinctly coastal, with a small commercial district serving residents along its main streets.

Lifestyle in Playa del Rey

Playa del Rey offers a low-key beach lifestyle on Los Angeles's westside. Residents have direct access to the sand and surf of Santa Monica Bay, the Ballona Creek bike path, and the Ballona Wetlands for walking and birdwatching. The neighborhood's small-scale commercial areas provide casual dining and local services, while Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and Westchester expand options nearby. Proximity to LAX and major westside employment centers makes the neighborhood practical for commuters, while its quieter coastal character appeals to those seeking a beach community removed from heavier tourism.

Schools & Education

Playa del Rey is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the nation. Students in the neighborhood are served by local LAUSD elementary, middle, and high school campuses in the westside region, with a number of private and charter options available across the broader westside. The neighborhood's location within Los Angeles places families within reach of a wide range of educational choices, from neighborhood public schools to independent institutions.

Getting Around

Playa del Rey's transportation picture is shaped by its coastal location and proximity to Los Angeles International Airport. Major westside routes, including Lincoln Boulevard and the Marina Freeway, connect the neighborhood to Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, and the broader Los Angeles freeway network. LAX sits immediately to the south, providing national and international air service. The Ballona Creek bike path offers a dedicated route for cyclists, and public transit options link the area to the westside and beyond.

Parks & Recreation

Recreation in Playa del Rey centers on the coast and wetlands. The neighborhood's beach on Santa Monica Bay offers swimming, surfing, and shoreline walks, while the Ballona Creek bike path provides a dedicated cycling and pedestrian corridor. The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, one of the last remaining coastal wetland systems in Los Angeles County, offers birdwatching and nature access. Nearby Marina del Rey provides boating and waterfront dining, and the westside's parks and open space are within easy reach.

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