Source / Benoit Debaix on Unsplash & City Cruises
Marina del Rey isn’t just another pretty stretch of coastline.
It’s the largest man-made small-craft harbor in North America, with room for more than 4,600 boats bobbing along its docks.
And on weekends, one of those slips sends out a floating brunch buffet instead of just another sailboat.
Operated by City Cruises, the same company behind the marina’s largest and most diverse fleet, the Premier Brunch Cruise departs from Fisherman’s Village every Saturday and Sunday, with boarding starting at 10:30 am and the boat pulling away by 11 am.
Marina del Rey Premier Brunch Cruise
For the next two hours, guests get a full buffet spread, ranging from smoked salmon and French toast to hand-carved tri-tip and roasted salmon, alongside bottomless champagne, mimosas, and sparkling cider.
Live entertainment plays throughout, and there’s an open-air roof deck for anyone chasing the perfect harbor photo.
What you’re actually sailing past
This isn’t a cruise that just floats in circles.
The boat winds through the marina’s channels, passing multimillion-dollar yachts, Southern California’s famous beaches, and enough sea life to make the ride feel more like a mini wildlife tour than a standard brunch outing.
Marina del Rey earned its name honestly.
Developed in the 1950s and 60s out of what was once tidal marshland, the harbor was purpose-built to become exactly this: a boater’s paradise with direct access to the Pacific, tucked just minutes from LAX and about 20 minutes from downtown L.A.
Getty Images / Nikada
Making a full day of it
The cruise wraps by early afternoon, which leaves plenty of daylight to actually explore the area before heading back into the city.
Walk Fisherman’s Village itself, a cluster of New England-style shops and eateries right at the dock where the cruise departs
Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Mother’s Beach, the calm, wave-free swimming spot just up the channel
Grab a second round of views at Salt Restaurant and Bar or Brizo, two waterfront spots locals swear by for harbor-side cocktails
Walk or bike the Marina del Rey harbor path, which loops the entire waterfront and hits nearly every angle of the marina
Booking the cruise
Tickets for the Premier Brunch Cruise start around $142 per person, and reservations include a guaranteed table for your group rather than open seating.
Casual attire is fine, so there’s no need to overdress for what’s ultimately a laid-back few hours on the water.
And given how quickly weekend slots tend to fill during peak summer months, booking a few weeks out is the safer move if you’re set on a specific date.