The REI at 402 Santa Monica Boulevard—a two-story anchor near the Third Street Promenade that outfitted hikers, climbers, and last-minute LAX travelers for eighteen years—closed permanently in February 2024. The co-op shifted its Westside presence to Marina del Rey, opening a new store that summer in a standalone building four miles closer to the airport. For anyone who used to swing by the Santa Monica shop to grab a TSA-approved power bank or a forgotten travel adapter before a flight, the Marina location now handles that role with easier parking and a shorter drive to the terminals.
Karpo tracks which REI locations are open right now, what TSA battery limits apply this month, and how long the drive takes from Marina del Rey to your LAX terminal.
What happened to the Santa Monica store
REI closed its Santa Monica location at 402 Santa Monica Boulevard at the end of February 2024, marking the end of an eighteen-year run in the Third Street Promenade district. The closure followed a similar pattern to the company's Portland downtown exit earlier that same month—both stores gave way to suburban replacements that opened or were planned nearby. Santa Monica's replacement arrived in Marina del Rey over the summer of 2024, while Portland's Beaverton store launched in spring.
The Santa Monica address still houses retail operations. The North Face maintains a presence at the same 402 Santa Monica Boulevard location, accessible via the same Downtown Santa Monica metro station that once funneled hikers and travelers to REI's two-story gear hall. But the co-op's camping stoves, climbing harnesses, and rows of travel packs are gone from the Promenade corridor.
Why this matters for LAX-bound travelers
The closure might sound like bad news for anyone racing to grab a TSA-compliant charging brick or a replacement luggage strap before an international departure. In practice, the Marina del Rey store sits 4.2 miles closer to LAX's central terminal complex than the old Santa Monica shop did. That shaves roughly eight minutes off the drive during midday windows when the 405 isn't locked up.
Recent flight incidents—including an American Airlines smoke event that diverted a Dallas-bound plane and triggered emergency protocols—have travelers double-checking their carry-on battery ratings and adapter inventories. Lithium power banks above 100 watt-hours require airline approval, and anything over 160 watt-hours is banned outright. REI stocks clearly labeled options that fall within TSA limits, and staff at the Marina location can confirm specs if the packaging is unclear.
The new store also benefits from easier parking than the old Promenade structure ever offered. Marina del Rey's lot wraps around the building with direct street access, and you're not navigating the weekend foot traffic that used to clog the Santa Monica pedestrian zones.
What's still available near the old location
If you're staying in Santa Monica proper and need outdoor gear without driving to Marina del Rey, the North Face retailer at 402 Santa Monica Boulevard carries a narrower but still useful selection. You'll find insulated jackets, daypacks suitable for carry-on use, and basic travel accessories like packing cubes and neck pillows. The shop doesn't stock camp stoves, climbing gear, or the breadth of electronics REI used to display, but it covers the essentials for a weekend trip or a red-eye where you need a warmer layer.
The Third Street Promenade itself has rebuilt some momentum after a rough stretch during the pandemic years. The corridor now sees steadier foot traffic on Thursday and Friday evenings, and the metro connection via the Expo Line makes it accessible from Downtown LA or Culver City without dealing with coastal parking. But for the full REI inventory—especially anything battery-powered or technical—you're making the Marina del Rey run.
The Marina del Rey replacement
REI's Marina del Rey store opened in summer 2024, occupying a standalone building with its own lot rather than sharing a mixed-use complex. The layout mirrors the co-op's newer suburban format: single-story, wide aisles, and a dedicated section near the entrance for travel gear that includes TSA-approved locks, universal adapters with USB-C ports, and a wall of power banks sorted by capacity.
Store hours run longer than the old Santa Monica schedule during peak travel months. As of late August 2026, the Marina location closes at 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 p.m. Saturday, and 7:00 p.m. Sunday—matching the hours the Santa Monica store kept before its closure. That gives you a realistic window to swing by after an afternoon meeting and still make an evening LAX departure, assuming you're not flying out of the international terminal during a check-in rush.
The drive from Marina del Rey to LAX's central terminals takes twelve to eighteen minutes depending on which airline you're using. Terminal 1 and Terminal 6 are closest via Sepulveda Boulevard northbound. Terminal B (international) adds another few minutes if you're looping around to the north side. The route avoids the 405 entirely if you time it right, though late-afternoon backups on Lincoln Boulevard can push that window toward twenty-five minutes.
What to grab for flight prep
If you're stopping for last-minute travel essentials, focus on the items airlines flag most often: battery packs under 100 watt-hours, TSA-approved luggage locks with the red diamond logo, and a universal adapter if you're heading anywhere outside North America. REI's house-brand adapters handle UK, EU, and Australian outlets without needing separate pieces, and they include two USB-A ports plus one USB-C port that pushes 20 watts—enough to fast-charge most phones.
Compression packing cubes save more checked-bag space than you'd expect, especially if you're trying to avoid a second bag fee. The mid-size cubes fit a week's worth of shirts or a bulky fleece that would otherwise eat half your carry-on. Staff can also point you toward TSA-friendly toiletry bottles if you forgot to decant your shampoo into 3.4-ounce containers.
For anyone worried about in-flight gear failures after hearing about smoke-related diversions, a backup charging cable and a small portable battery offer peace of mind. Modern flights increasingly depend on personal devices for entertainment, and a dead phone five hours into a cross-country leg is a miserable way to spend the second half of your trip.
Practical notes
REI Marina del Rey is located near the intersection of Mindanao Way and Bora Bora Way, roughly two miles south of the 90 Freeway via Culver Boulevard. Parking is free in the store's dedicated lot. The shop opens at 10:00 a.m. daily and closes between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. depending on the day; confirm current hours before driving over. From the store to LAX Terminal 6, take Mindanao Way north to Sepulveda Boulevard, then follow airport signage—budget twenty minutes if you're traveling between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The co-op accepts returns on unused gear within ninety days, so if you over-buy adapters or cables, you can return them after your trip.
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Ask Karpo first
Planning a last-minute gear run before your flight? Ask me which REI locations near LAX are open late tonight, whether your power bank meets current TSA lithium limits, or how to route from Marina del Rey to Terminal 6 without hitting Lincoln Boulevard traffic. I'll check live store hours and terminal wait estimates so you board with everything you need.
