An Insider’s Guide to the Best Things to do in Venice Beach
Last Updated on 29th June 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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As one of the most popular and fun districts of Los Angeles, there’s no shortage of amazing things to do in Venice Beach whether you’re a foodie lover, art connoisseur, or you simply want to enjoy a relaxing weekend by the seaside. Here’s an insider’s guide to the best of Venice Beach, as well as what to know before visiting.
Venice Beach is also known as Venice and, when the area was first created, it was known as ‘Venice of America’.
If you only have a short time in LA, be sure to check out our suggested itinerary for one day in LA. If you’re looking to visit more off the beaten path places in the state, here are some of the best secret spots in California.
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Where is Venice Beach?
As its name would suggest, Venice Beach is located right by the coastline (the Pacific Ocean to be precise) in the Westside area of Los Angeles in the state of California. As of 2008, the population of Venice Beach is just over 40,000.
How long do you need in Venice Beach?
Truth be told, all of the main highlights of Venice Beach can be seen over the course of a day. If you prefer to take travel a little slower and want to sample more of the restaurants in town, plan to stay for two or three days.
A brief history of Venice Beach
The district was founded as a resort town in 1905 by tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney and was only absorbed into the fabric of LA proper in 1926. The idea of the original town was that it be known as the ‘Venice of America’ and could serve as a beach resort getaway to rival the Venice of Italy.
Rapid growth ensued in the first few decades of the 1900s and the resulting town was a true feast for the eyes, complete with canals, regal hotels, and even the first ‘muscle beach’ (in 1934).
In the 1930s and 1940s, Venice Beach became a hub of artists and creativity. Film stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel were even spotted hanging out in the trendy district. During the Second World War, the area was used to house defense workers and military personnel, leading to an influx of new residents.
Unfortunately all of this came crashing down in the ensuing decades as people opted to leave the area in lieu of other suburban areas. Venice Beach became known for its drug and crime problems and did not become popular again until the 1980s and 1990s when the canals were cleaned up and more businesses were enticed back to the area.
What is Venice Beach known for?
The vibrant district is well-known for its murals, and you could easily spend an afternoon wandering around the neighborhood on foot and discovering art by local artists. Venice Beach is also famed for its fantastic beach, its many canals, and the Ocean Front walk.
Ever since the creation of the first ‘muscle beach,’ a beach complete with workout equipment, Venice Beach has become synonymous with bodybuildings and workouts. Today, millions of people visit Venice Beach on an annual basis to discover its unique vibe and independent charm.
Getting around Venice Beach
Thanks to its small and compact nature (particularly in comparison with a lot of cities in the US), one of the best ways to get around the LA district is on your own two feet so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and get ready to walk a fair bit. Alternatively, a way to cover more ground would be to rent a bike or partake in a group bicycle tour.
Things to do in Venice Beach
Walk along Ocean Front
Truth be told, the star of the show when it comes to enjoying Venice Beach is to walk along Ocean Front, which is a 2.5 mile boardwalk which extends along the coastline, following the trail of the sandy beach. There’s nowhere in the world quite like it.
Walking along Ocean Front will take a few hours and certainly won’t disappoint. Just be sure to bring along a bottle of water and a hat as the Californian sun can be quite strong! Along the way, you’ll discover Fortune Tellers, food trucks, and people from all walks of life.
The boardwalk is so popular that it is actually the second most-visited destination in Southern California, attracting over 10 million visitors on an annual basis.
Muscle Beach Venice
This outdoor gym, the birthplace of American bodybuilding, still attracts weightlifters and fitness enthusiasts today. The Muscle Beach has actually just undergone an intensive three-year refurbishment, meaning that it’s once more equipped with freshly renovated benches, free weights, flooring, and more.
Be amazed by the canals
Truth be told, one of the coolest features of the Venice Beach neighborhood are all of the beautiful canals which were created during the first half of the 20th-century. There were once seven canals in total, all of which were named by Abbot Kinney.
Their names were as follows: Aldebaren Canal, Altair Canal, Cabrillo Canal, Coral Canal, Grand Canal, Lion Canal and Venus Canal. Today, several canals have been covered over to make space for housing and roads. This includes Coral Canal, which became Main Street and Venus Canal, which became San Juan Avenue.
The canals are free to visit and located in a residential neighborhood, just off 25th street in Venice Beach, meaning that you could easily miss them if you don’t know where to look.
You could easily spend an hour or two meandering the Canal district, snapping photos of the water, and admiring the architecture of the houses, many which have their own individual pontoons leading straight out onto the water.
Marvel at Street Art
Venice Beach is home to numerous talented street artists, and a stroll through the neighborhood offers a chance to see their work up close. One special spot which is worth a particular mention are the Venice Art Walls.
Free to visit, this outdoor gallery comprises of a number of walls right by the ocean. The art on display is by the public and local artists and is one of the coolest spots to snap photos in the LA neighborhood.
Venice Beach Skate Park
This is one of the largest concrete skate parks in the country and a must-visit for skateboarding fans. Opened in the latter half of 2009, the park is surrounded by palm trees and spectator seats (though you aren’t always guaranteed a spot to sit as it can get pretty busy, especially during the weekend).
Ocean-based activities
There are a plethora of fun water based activities in Venice Beach as it’s one of the best locations in Los Angeles for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. Even if you’re a beginner, there are a number of surf schools in the area. Paddle boarding is another popular way to discover Venice Beach from the sea.
Venice Farmers’ Market
Held just outside of Venice City Hall, the Venice Farmes’ Market takes place every Saturday from 8am-1pm. This market is a great place to buy fresh produce (including everything from hard Italian style cheeses to fresh fruits), crafts, and other items from local vendors.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
This street is famous for its trendy boutiques, hip cafes, and art galleries and has long been claimed to be one of the coolest blocks in the USA. Known to locals simply as AK Boulevard, highlights of this mile long strip include street art, The Butcher’s Daughter (a vegetarian café) and Burro Venice (where you can buy gifts and souvenirs from your LA trip).
Dine out
Venice Beach boasts one of the widest arrays of restaurants, bars, and cafés of anywhere in LA. Whether you fancy going for cocktails or prefer to get some gluten-free cuisine, there’s something for everyone in Venice Beach.
Venice Sign
This iconic sign is a popular spot for photos and a well-known landmark in the neighborhood. Located at Pacific Ave & Windward Ave, 1501 Main St , the best time to visit the sign is at dusk when you can snap photos of ‘Venice’ against the backdrop of a cotton candy sky with the lights on. The sign you see today is a modern day replica of the original Venice sign which was installed by Abbot Kinney in 1905.
Small World Books
If you’re a bibliophile, there’s one bookish spot you shouldn’t miss, it’s Small World Books, which is an independent bookshop situated steps away from the ocean and boardwalk. Small World Books has been serving loyal locals and visitors alike since the late 1960s (though not in the current location).
Mosaic Tile House
Though not so much of a hidden gem now as even just a few years ago, in part due to the rise of social media, the Mosaic Tile House remains worth a visit when exploring Venice Beach nonetheless.
The fascinating building dates back to the 1940s and, as its name suggests, its entire façade is covered in quirky mosaics. The home is the brainchild of Cheri and Gonzalo and is a close to three decade old labour of love that they continue to add to as time goes on. You can buy a self-guided visit of the unique location for around $20.
Walk to Santa Monica
If you’re the kind of person who loves hopping from beach town to beach town, then you should plan to walk from Venice Beach to Santa Monica at some time during your LA stay. Santa Monica is particularly famous for its pier, which is complete with fairground rides and food vendors.
The walk between the two towns takes between 45 minutes and an hour depending on your pace and provides stunning ocean vistas that you’ll want to bring your camera along for. If you’re planning on spending a longer time in Santa Monica, check out our guide on how to spend one day in Santa Monica.
Where to stay in Venice Beach
As one of the most popular districts in LA, there’s no shortage of places to stay in Venice Beach to suit a variety of travel styles and budgets. Just be sure to book your accommodation well ahead of your visit so as to secure the best deals and the place to stay of your choice!
Budget- Samesun Venice Beach: Located in the heart of all the action, this relaxed hostel offers dorm rooms, as well as private rooms for an extra fee. Other highlights include free linen and Wi-Fi. Check prices and availability here.
Mid-range- The Kinney: This hotel is named for the founder of Venice Beach and is a fun and laid-back hotel, around a 15 minute walk away from the marina. Highlights include air conditioning and a pool. Check prices and availability here.
Luxury- The Ritz Carlton, Marina del Ray: Located in the marina district of Venice Beach, this hotel lies a stone’s throw away from the hotel and boasts amenities such as a fitness, outdoor pool, and hot tub. Check prices and availability here.
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