Venice is a colorful neighborhood with eclectic shops, organic cafés and a scenic beach in the Santa Monica region of Los Angeles County. It is home to Venice Beach and its adjoining pier and famous boardwalk. Explore independent shops, choose from an array of restaurants and watch street performances.
Sunbathe or take a dip in the ocean at Venice Beach. It is also a popular surfing spot with gentle waves that suit beginners. Walk around the famous pier and play arcade games with the kids. Ride the Ferris wheel to the top and enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding Venice area.
Venice attracts visitors from all over the world who come to soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Walk along the iconic boardwalk and watch a variety of street performers, including stilt walkers, snake charmers and fortunetellers. Watch roller skaters and admire the unique hairstyles and outfits worn by locals. On most weekends, you can join in the Venice Beach Drum Circle and bang a bongo or chant and dance.
Stop by Muscle Beach and watch the locals carry out their daily fitness regimes. Drink smoothies containing a blend of exotic fruit and vegetables from the organic juice bar.
Make your way to the trendy haven of Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Palm trees and street art line the road, which is packed with sophisticated boutiques, art galleries, wine bars and restaurants.
Take a romantic stroll through the canals. Venice’s founder, Abbot Kinney, built the system of canals in 1905 to pay tribute to the Italian city of the same name. The Venice Boardwalk was an important meeting point in the 1950s and early ’60s for poets from the Beat Generation, such as Jack Kerouac.
The Venice neighborhood sits in the south of the city of Santa Monica, on California’s Pacific coast. It is about 30 minutes by car from downtown Los Angeles, which could take around 45 minutes depending on the traffic. From many locations in Los Angeles County you can take the bus to Venice.