Explore Venice Beach: A Californian Coastal Gem

The beach was here long before an idealistic real estate developer dubbed it Venice, but today Venice Beach is both a town and a recreational seashore, one of the funkiest, most varied and fun beach scenes in the Los Angeles area.

The ocean’s edge is nice in Venice Beach, but it’s not the surf and sand that take center stage. Instead, it’s the lively sidewalk scene, where you’ll find artists, palm readers, and bikini-clad roller-skaters mixing with chanting, saffron-clad Hare Krishnas, and wriggling belly dancers.

Things to Do in Venice Beach

Venice Beach has been a place of exaggerated claims since the 1920s. When a woman went missing, the mayor claimed that she had fallen prey to a six-finned sea monster. You can feel the echoes of those days at many of these places:

• Venice Beach Boardwalk: It’s really more of a sidewalk than a “board” walk, but a walk down it is the best way to explore the waterfront scene. You’ll pass street performers, skaters, artists, gawkers, and vendors selling all kinds of items from incense to sarongs.
• Muscle Beach Gym: This is the famous outdoor weight room where Arnold Schwarzenegger and a host of other bodybuilders have “bulked up.” You can buy a day pass at the office if you’d like to join in on the action.
• Venice Canals: A few blocks remain out of some 16 miles of man-made waterways that once graced Venice-of-America, founded in 1905 by local developer Abbot Kinney. Take a walk along them in the area bordered by Washington, South Venice Blvd., Pacific Ave. and Ocean Ave.
• Venice Beach Graffiti Walls: The graffiti artists who gain permits to paint here demonstrate a high quality of artistic flair and are typically busy at work on selected weekends.
• Norton House: The exuberant house at 12541 Beatrice (which faces the waterfront path just north of the Venice Pier) is a must-see for fans of architect Frank Gehry. Each visit may reveal a new color scheme, while the basic layout remains unchanged.
• Abbot Kinney Blvd: This area has started to live up to its reputation as a hip spot, featuring nicer restaurants and funky boutique shops within a few blocks of the waterfront.

Venice Beach Tips

• If you photograph the street performers, it’s polite to tip them a little.
• Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom is well-known for its hot dogs and is a good stop for a quick bite to eat.
• For a quieter experience, walk south of Venice Blvd. to reach the pier and see a different side of Venice life.
• In early June, the Herbalife24 Triathlon Los Angeles begins with a swim in Venice, followed by participants taking off on Venice Blvd., which may block traffic.

Venice Beach Essentials

• Location: West Los Angeles on the Santa Monica Bay.
• Duration: Allow two hours to half a day or more for your visit.
• Best Time to Visit: Venice Beach is busiest in the summer. To experience the lively atmosphere, arrive mid-morning or later on weekends. Summer weekday afternoons can also be enjoyable, but keep in mind that the beachfront may be quieter after dark.

Getting to Venice Beach

From I-405, take Washington Blvd. west. If you’re lucky, you can park on the street or utilize one of the public parking lots.