Playa del Rey feels like a secret that locals would rather keep to themselves. While neighboring Venice buzzes with tourists and Santa Monica bustles with activity, Playa del Rey maintains a sleepy, small-town beach vibe that's increasingly rare along the LA coast. The neighborhood is small - just a few thousand residents - and that compact size fosters a genuine sense of community.
The name means "beach of the king" in Spanish, and the neighborhood's elevated western bluffs offer some of the most dramatic sunset and ocean views anywhere on the Westside. Homes along Pershing Drive and the surrounding streets look out over the Pacific, Catalina Island, and the Ballona Wetlands - a 600-acre protected ecological reserve that provides an extraordinary natural buffer and open-space amenity.
Playa del Rey's commercial core is small and deliberately low-key. The Shack, a neighborhood institution on Culver Boulevard, serves burgers and beer to a loyal following. Playa Provisions (from Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson) brought a new level of culinary ambition to the area. And a handful of other casual spots - coffee shops, pizza places, and sports bars - round out the local scene.
Dockweiler State Beach, which runs along Playa del Rey's western edge, is one of the few LA beaches where bonfires are permitted - making it a favorite for sunset gatherings. The beach is wide, uncrowded, and family-friendly.
Playa del Rey's housing is a mix of single-family homes on the bluffs (many with panoramic ocean views), condos and townhomes near the flats, and apartment buildings along the main corridors. The bluff-top homes command premium prices for their views, while the flats offer more accessible entry points.
Pricing typically ranges from around $700,000 for condos to $2 million and above for single-family homes with views. Compared to Venice or Santa Monica, Playa del Rey offers ocean proximity at a relative value - though rising demand is narrowing that gap.
The Ballona Wetlands are a defining feature of the neighborhood - walking trails, birdwatching, and a direct connection to nature that's unique on the urban Westside. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail passes through, connecting riders to Venice, Santa Monica, and points south. And the beach itself is steps away for most residents.
Playa del Rey sits just north of LAX and south of Marina del Rey. It's well-positioned for airport access (sometimes too well - flight paths can affect noise levels in certain areas, which is worth discussing with your agent). Playa Vista's Silicon Beach tech hub is immediately to the east, and the 405 freeway is easily accessible.
Bianca Boey is Associate Director of The Grady Group at The Agency, serving buyers and sellers across Playa del Rey and the coastal Westside. Contact Bianca at (213) 551-7844 or visit grady-group.com/
11,307 people live in Playa del Rey, where the median age is 42 and the average individual income is $96,091. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
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There's plenty to do around Playa del Rey, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Inland, Stare Fashion, and Wave Warrior Surf Lessons.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopping | 3.73 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 4.24 miles | 18 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.2 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.74 miles | 13 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.97 miles | 20 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.85 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.4 miles | 10 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.83 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.51 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.62 miles | 12 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.84 miles | 42 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.19 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 3.53 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.78 miles | 10 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.57 miles | 10 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.91 miles | 73 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
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Playa del Rey has 5,670 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Playa del Rey do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 11,307 people call Playa del Rey home. The population density is 19,562.432 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
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With an authentic love for meeting new people and building meaningful connections, Bianca readily makes herself available to problem-solve with clients as they work towards achieving their real estate goals.
