Ballona Wetlands and Creek

The Ballona Wetlands and Creek is one of the last significant coastal wetlands in the Los Angeles basin, and at one time was part of 14,000 acres of wetlands in the watershed. The wetlands is bordered by the Playa Vista residential complex, the subject of many skirmishes between developers and environmental organizations, and the recently constructed Silicon Beach, home to major and smaller tech companies.

Ballona Creek, once a natural stream, now a concreted flood channel, carries tons of trash, plastic, and other toxins downstream and into the ocean, especially after the first big rainstorm of the season.

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The Freshwater Marsh is at the southern end of the wetlands and borders Lincoln Boulevard and the residential Play Vista Complex. The sun sets over the Santa Monica Mountains in the background.

Daytime view of the Freshwater Marsh.

Playa Vista is planned community built on a portion of the Ballona Wetlands, development began in 2002 after a long dispute with local communities and environmental organizations concerning increased congestion, destruction of natural habitat and fears over possible methane gas leakages.

Wildflowers grow abundantly in the wetlands in the Spring, the beach town of Playa Del Rey in the background.

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A snag tree stands in stark contrast the lush tree and plant growth along the edge the marsh.

Marsh grass near the Freshwater Marsh.

A No Trespassing sign warns people from disturbing the wildlife and bird habitat within the wetlands.

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An Egret stands alone in the wetlands. Other birds found there include Herons, Pelicans, Terns, Black-neck Stilts, Cormorants and an occasional Osprey.

Tall Marsh grass guards the Freshwater Marsh.

A Snowy Egret flies along Ballona Creek towards the ocean.

Algae Bloom in Ballona wetlands.

A maintenance road offers locals an area for walking, it is located between the Playa Vista development and the bluffs of Westchester and Loyola Marymount University. A shopping cart under a pedestrian bridge in Ballona Creek in Culver City.

A series of storm drain and flood channels feed Ballona Creek during rainstorms and turn the normally gentle creek into a raging whitewater that rushes down to the ocean.

A garbage boom is located near the mouth of Ballona Creek, it’s intention is to catch trash and plastic after heavy rains flush out the adjacent streets into storm drains and then to the creek. Although the boom catches some large pieces of trash, smaller particles and other toxins get through easily and flow in to the Pacific Ocean.

A Great Egret wades along the banks of Ballona Creek near trash and styrofoam cups washed downstream from the recent rains.

A series of storm drain and flood channels feed Ballona Creek during rainstorms and turn the normally gentle creek into a raging whitewater that rushes down to the ocean.

Storm clouds linger after the rains along Ballona Creek.

Ballona Creek with late afternoon clouds

A six-mile bike path takes cyclists from Culver City down to the creek’s mouth at Marina Del Rey. The beautiful winding path can challenge a cyclist’s attention, between views of the river’s diverse bird life and springtime’s abundant wildflowers.

Sun sets over Ballona Wetlands with homes in Playa Del Rey in the background

Sunset and the Pacific Ocean greets the waters of Ballona Creek at it’s mouth in Marina Del Rey.

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