The Inn at Playa del Rey

We'd hoped to return to our Alberg 35, Mystic, in St. Augustine Florida by the end of September. Instead, we find ourselves in Southern California, just outside of LA at the Inn at Playa del Rey. We've been here before; in fact, we returned because our first visit was so wonderful!

Dave is setting up the West Edge Trade Show in Santa Monica. We choose to stay at the beach when we are in California, rather than in the city. It's cheaper (believe it or not!) and it allows for evening get aways from the hectic work.

The Inn at Playa del Rey is a special place. It sits on Culver Boulevard, right at the edge of town. The beach is only a half mile from the Inn. Behind us is the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. We love to sit on the back deck of the Inn and gaze over the expanse, watching for birds. Marina del Rey sits just beyond the reserve. Boats are constantly coming and going from this port.

Playa del Rey Beach

Beach Mural

Lifeguard Station

Hang Gliding Along the Pacific Coast

The Inn has beach bikes and helmets available to their visitors. I love to ride North to Venice Beach and Santa Monica State Beach then south to Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach, exploring the coast. Each direction offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, the beach communities and the dunes. The weather is mild and dry with a cooling breeze that seems to enhance our desire to move. The Pacific Ocean has a scent that is refreshing, sweet and salty; it reminds me of a mixture of white linen and ocean spray. If only I could bottle it!

The Shack, Playa del Rey

Venice Beach

Venice Beach Skating Park

Venice Beach

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier

The Mountains

Rainbow Lifeguard Shack

Venice Beach Rainbow Lifeguard Shack

One of the best perks at the Inn is the food! Our day begins with a delicious breakfast. We are offered gourmet souffles and baked goods that challenge quality and taste of any restaurant I've ever visited. In addition, cereal, yogurt and hard boiled eggs are always available. Each day, the staff leaves baked muffins and breads along with fresh squeezed lemonade and light sweet teas for guests to enjoy throughout the day. At 5:00, we are offered wine and cheese, nuts and thick slices of home-baked breads that are to die for! We sit on the back deck and meet other guests or just look across the preserve, watching the activities of Marina del Rey. The evenings are so relaxing, we are able to regroup and reconnect.

Breakfast Table

The Inn Breakfast Menu

Great Options, both sweet and healthy

The Souffle

The common area of the Inn is very comfortable; the walls and furniture are accented mostly in white. The tables are adorned with elegant vases filled with sunflowers. It is October so we find Halloween decorations throughout the Inn, often discovering newly decorated pumpkins highlighting a mantel or corner. A fireplace burns in the living room most evenings. There are binoculars placed throughout the living room for guests to search the reserve for wildlife. There are triple patio doors that lead out to the back deck. The sun sets just beyond those doors. It is so much like being in a home that it feels like home! We feel welcomed and relaxed.

Pumpkins in a row

Welcome to the Inn

Hello FALL

Halloween Mantel

Anchor Detail

Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve

Eggs and Shells

Evening by the Fire

The sunsets off of Playa del Rey Beach are gorgeous. People flock to the shore to enjoy the evening view! The short walk is well worth it and we never tire of this end of day wrap up! Without reservation we recommend a visit to this wonderful place. The staff is friendly, talented and ready to help in any way. The rooms are large and comfortable. We will continue to visit whenever we can!

Crossing Paths in California

We must be the luckiest travelers on earth! We continue to visit places all over the United States and enjoy the wonderful opportunity to run into friends along the way. Some are old friends and some are new, but each experience is overwhelmingly special.

We are in Los Angeles for the West Edge Trade Show. We're staying at the Inn at Playa del Rey, close to the beach and away from the bustle of the city. Yesterday, I had lunch with one of my oldest friends, Shelley Wood. Shelley and her partner Peter took us on a crazy sailing adventure from Bermuda to Mystic, Connecticut after the Newport to Bermuda race in 1985. We had a memorable voyage which included a "storm of the century" 50 miles off of Montauk Point We survived 20 foot seas with a whole lot of prayer. The storm almost derailed my desire to cruise on a sailboat again. After many years reliving this trip through repeating the details of our crossing, it has become an impressive tale of our courage and prowess instead of a terrifying one of a near death experience. We spent a lot of time with Peter and Shelley at their homes in Noank, and North Stonington, Connecticut.

Shelley and Kathy Wood with Beth

Shelley & Kathy at the Inn
at Playa del Rey

We really enjoy our visits to microbreweries when we travel. Here in Playa del Rey we make a stop at Firestone Walker Brewery. Both the food and the brew are great! The Buffalo Cauliflower and veggie pest pizza are fabulous!

http://www.firestonebeer.com/

The other microbrewery we enjoy the Santa Monica Brew Works. One of my oldest friends, Bobbette Barber Clapsaddle has a connection. Her son, Dominic, is the assistant Brew Master. We arrived right after it opened and went up to the bar to order a beer, both choosing a lovely light porter. Dave mentioned that we would like to talk to Dominic and were directed to his table just a few feet away. I walked up to him and introduced myself, "Hi, I'm from Mystic, Connecticut and I know your mama!" Dominic was so friendly and welcoming, offering us a tour of the brewery and spending a lot of time chatting with us. He reminded me of his mom, especially his warm, eye twinkling smile! I met Bobbette in 7th grade at Cutler Junior High School. She has remained one of my favorite people of all time. I was so excited to send her a photo of me with Dominic! Visiting with Dominic and Santa Monica Brew Works was a treat!

http://santamonicabrewworks.com/

Bourbon Barrels

Dominic and Beth
Santa Monica Brewing Works

We were able to connect with Billy Wildman this trip. Billy sold us his Alberg 35, Tractatus in 2012. We discovered that she'd originally been named Mystic, so we renamed her, in part, so we could say we were going to "Mystic" each weekend. Billy lives in Malibu and runs a fabulous yogurt shop with his wife. We drove up to Malibu along the Pacific Coast highway and stopped in for a frozen treat. We sat outside enjoying the ice cream and the sunny day when who walks by but Bill! I recognized him right away and yelled "hello"! He shot us a beaming grin then joined us in the sun to catch up. It was so good to see him!

Dave with Billy Wildman

Billy with Beth
at Malibu Yogurt

We cherish each experience, connection and challenge we've faced on this journey. Our year has been filled with a lot of gifts, mainly in the form of friendships! Life has been very kind to us!