I lived in MDR for a while. Its about 40 miles to DL, traffic will be the true test for the amount of time it will take you.
The marina itself is impressive, supposedly the largest man-made marina basin in the universe, or something like that. With its location, you'd have an easy day trip to Santa Monica - with the pier at the end of Colorado Blvd, and the 3d street promenade.... or even an easy shoot out to Malibu and all its beauty/shopping/possible star gazing. Long Beach with the Queen Mary isn't far, nor are the "beach cities", Redondo/NewPort....
The Venice area is right next door to MDR, with the canals..and the famous beach that can't be beat for people watching. Beverly Hills isn't far either....The "New" Getty Center is beautiful, at the 405 and Sunset. The old Getty Villa in Malibu is supposed to be open now with antiquities...Basically, where every you choose will require a car. For my time/$ it would be Malibu [can you say lunch at Neptune's Net?] or DL.....
BTW, there is a terrific Chinese restaurant called "Szechuan" at the corner Washington and Abbot Kinney just north of the Marina, head towards the beach off Lincoln Blvd [the main drag through the Marina that gets you everywhere] it will be on your left a bit down....kinda non-descript, but friendly and the food is good enough that I still stop in anytime we are in the area.
If you like Deli, there is a Jerry's right where the 90-Marina Fwy comes in. That same 90 will take you on the express way to the 405 [also known as the world's longest parking lot.] which will get you down to Orange County and the house of Mouse.
PM me if I can be of any other help [assuming
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