Zip code 90293, Mar 2026 to May 2026, from the Redfin Data Center. 90293 is Playa del Rey, so its medians mix beach-area condos and townhomes with houses on the hill. Zip codes don't line up neatly with neighborhood borders, and medians hide a wide range of homes, so treat these as a rough feel for the area.
In the 1880s promoters tried to dredge the Ballona marshes into a commercial harbor called Port Ballona, and it failed within a few years. In 1902 Moses Sherman's Beach Land Company bought the land around the lagoon and launched Playa del Rey, the beach of the king, served by Pacific Electric red cars. The little lagoon park and the state's Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve are what remain of that marsh, and they still shape the town's edges.
The homes
Playa del Rey splits into two parts. Down by the beach and the lagoon, streets close to the sand hold condos, townhomes and small apartment buildings from the 1960s onward, plus a handful of older beach cottages and newer modern homes. Many units have balconies or roof decks pointed at the ocean, and some face the lagoon park.
Up on the hill, single-family homes line streets that climb the bluff toward Westchester. The original houses date mostly from the mid-century years, and many have been remodeled or replaced with larger contemporary homes built to catch views of the ocean, the wetlands and the marina. Lots are modest and often sloped, so homes tend to stack up rather than spread out.
The feel
- The beach. Playa's stretch of sand is wide and uncrowded compared with Venice or Santa Monica, with the Ballona Creek jetty at the north end and the beach bike path running south.
- Del Rey Lagoon Park has lawns and picnic spots around a small saltwater lagoon a block from the sand.
- The Ballona Wetlands spread out east of town, an open, protected landscape of marsh and dunes in the middle of the city.
- Culver Boulevard near Vista del Mar is the little downtown, with cafes, a few restaurants and some well-loved bars.
- Dockweiler Beach to the south has bonfire pits, one of the few beaches in LA County that allows them.
Eat, drink, shop
- Playa Provisions (Culver Blvd). Several concepts under one roof: a counter cafe, an ice cream shop, a seafood dining room with a fire-pit patio and a hidden whiskey bar. The Infatuation
- Cantalini's Salerno Beach (Culver Blvd). An old-school Italian restaurant for veal parmigiana, gnocchi and house-made ravioli. The Infatuation
- Bacari PDR (Vista del Mar Ln). A small plates spot with a Mediterranean bent and a popular all-you-can-drink deal. Time Out
- Harbor Room (Culver Blvd). A tiny, classic bar with only a handful of stools, an old jukebox and strong drinks. Time Out
- Tanner's Coffee Co. (Culver Blvd). A small coffee shop a block from the beach, with flavored lattes and a good pastry case. Time Out
Getting around
LAX is often 5 to 10 minutes away outside rush hour, and the 105 and the 405 are close. Vista del Mar runs south along the beach to El Segundo and the South Bay, and Culver Boulevard heads inland toward Playa Vista and Culver City. The nearest rail is the Metro K Line in Westchester and the new LAX/Metro Transit Center. The beach bike path is a scenic way north to Marina del Rey and Venice.
What's new
- LAX/Metro Transit Center. The new rail station next to LAX opened in June 2025 on the K and C lines, with a bus plaza and bike hub. (ABC7)
- LAX people mover. The 2.25-mile airport train linking the terminals to the transit center is in testing, with passenger service now targeted for early January 2027 if the remaining milestones are met. (Westside Current)
- Ballona Wetlands restoration. The state's plan to restore most of the roughly 600-acre reserve, the largest coastal wetland restoration proposed in LA County, is still in the planning and permitting stage. (California Coastal Conservancy)
Good to know
- City of LA and the Coastal Zone. Playa del Rey is in the City of LA, and much of it sits in the California Coastal Zone, which can affect what you can build and how long permits take.
- Jet noise. Departing LAX flights head out over the ocean just south of town. Spend time at any address at different hours, and check the LAX noise resources if it matters to you.
- Flood maps. Some low-lying blocks near the lagoon, the creek and the wetlands can carry flood zone designations. Check FEMA flood maps for any address.
- Hillside homes. On the bluff, ask about slope, drainage and permits for any additions, and consider a geotechnical review for steeper lots.
- Condo homework. Many beach-area buildings are decades old, so review HOA reserves, recent assessments and planned repairs.
Questions people ask
Is Playa del Rey part of Los Angeles?
Yes. Playa del Rey is a neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles, so City of LA permits and rules apply. Much of it is also in the California Coastal Zone, which can add review time for building projects. Marina del Rey, just north across the channel, is unincorporated county land.
What kind of homes are in Playa del Rey?
Near the beach and lagoon, mostly condos, townhomes and small apartment buildings from the 1960s onward, plus some beach cottages. Up on the hill, single-family homes sit on streets climbing the bluff, many rebuilt or remodeled, and some with ocean or wetland views.
How far is Playa del Rey from LAX?
Very close. LAX is often 5 to 10 minutes away outside rush hour, and departing jets take off over the beach just to the south. Marina del Rey, Playa Vista and Westchester are next door, and Santa Monica is often 20 to 30 minutes off-peak.
What is Playa del Rey known for?
A wide, quiet beach, the Del Rey Lagoon, the Ballona Wetlands, the Ballona Creek jetty and the bike path that runs along the sand. Dockweiler Beach to the south has bonfire pits, and Culver Boulevard has a small strip of restaurants, bars and cafes near the water.
