Venice Beach is the best neighborhood on Los Angeles’ shoreline. It has a boho vibe with road performers, canals, and skate parks, and that’s with out mentioning the long-lasting boardwalk. The neighborhood sits overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is a continuing hive of exercise.
If visiting Los Angeles, staying in or visiting Venice Beach is a should. In reality, it’s one of many finest issues to do in Los Angeles. Tourists flock right here for water actions and sizzling sand. It has a artistic pulse and fun-loving character that make it inconceivable not to love.
Venice Beach is an ‘outdoor’ vacation spot. Whether you’re admiring road artwork, enjoying on tennis courts, hitting the seaside, or strolling the boardwalk, its sunny streets are lined by road distributors and performers, and the message is obvious: get out and have enjoyable. It is a far cry from the marginally gritty streets of interior Los Angeles, and this goes down a deal with.
In this information, we’ll cowl all the perfect issues to do in Venice Beach. Get prepared for some severe inspiration – we’ll create an final itinerary.
Location-wise, Venice Beach is roughly a 25-minute drive west of Los Angeles’s metropolis middle. It’s sandwiched between Topanga State Park and Los Angeles International Airport and has 238 acres of seaside.
You can get pleasure from handball courts, eating places, the long-lasting boardwalk, and seashores underneath the watchful gaze of the lifeguard headquarters. There are lots of of issues to do in Venice, California and these are just some..
Best of Venice Beach: A Quick Guide
Must see: Marina Del Rey, Venice Canals, Venice Boardwalk, Muscle Beach Venice Gym, Venice Public Art Walls, Venice Fishing Pier, and Mosaic Tile House Venice. Where to keep: HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel, Hotel Erwin, and Shutters on the Beach Fun to Do: Admire the view from Hotel Erwin’s rooftop, snap pictures in the Mosaic Tile House, store in Small World Books, exercise on Muscle Beach Venice Gym, and cruise the Venice Canals. Day journeys: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area, Topanga State Park, Angeles National Forest, Catalina Island, and San Diego. For a automotive rental, you’ll be able to examine costs right here.
Best Things to Do in Venice Beach
Are you wanting ahead to the unforgettable bohemian subculture of Venice Beach? Everything from an oceanfront stroll alongside Venice Pier to the long-lasting Boardwalk is tremendous scenic. The neighborhood was designed to promote outside residing, and its fun-loving ambiance simply emphasizes this.
Are you excited to expertise the perfect of this iconic neighborhood? Let’s make a begin. These are the 21 finest issues to do in Venice Beach.
1. Venice Canals Walkway
The Venice Canals are probably the most historic locations and issues to do in Venice Beach. Its community of six waterways that, in the pre-Twenties, have been extra fashionable than transport by automotive.
The canals are positioned on the southern finish of Venice Beach, nonetheless lined by residential homes. The Venice Canals protect a once-popular means of transport and life. You can take Venice Canal Historic District excursions and trip gondolas and water buses.
There’s additionally the Venice Canals Walkway, a path linking the shores by a sequence of picturesque bridges. It’s a family-friendly route with stunning views – preferrred should you’d want to expertise the canals on foot.
Insider Tip: Enjoy the Venice Canals Walkway if you would like to see this space without cost. Practical Information: The canals keep open 24/7 and are free to go to on foot.
2. Muscle Beach Venice Gym
Muscle Beach Venice Gym is without doubt one of the most well-known outside gyms in the world. Whether you’re a health club lover or not, it’s best to tick off the usage of this hallowed gymnastics equipment and weights. At Muscle Beach, health stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jack Lalanne have labored up a sweat.
Chances are you’ve seen outside gyms principally resembling youngsters’s play areas. Muscle Beach is a little more superior.
You can get pleasure from nice gear – working up a sweat whereas working in your tan. Muscle Beach is nicknamed the ‘Home of Bodybuilding’ and was established in 1963. Pop by for a fast exercise. You simply purchase a day move.
Insider Tip: Arrive outdoors of peak occasions and buy a day move. Practical Information: A day move prices $10, and the health club is open from 8am till 5pm.
3. Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is the place to head for enjoyable. The famed spot is an amusement pier with an enormous Ferris wheel and quite a few rides. It’s additionally a well-known Hollywood movie setting, from T.V. exhibits like The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and actuality exhibits like Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
Entering Santa Monica Pier is completely free. You solely pay for rides. We advocate visiting the Pier as the most effective free issues to do in Venice Beach should you’re joyful to take in the ambiance.
Santa Monica Pier has a enjoyable and tacky ambiance, plus nice views over the Pacific Ocean and superb seashores. What’s not to love? Book this extremely rated ebike tour of Venice Beach and Santa Monica.
Insider Tip: Entrance is free if you’re on a finances and joyful to skip the rides. Practical Information: Expect to pay between $5 and $10 per trip.
4. Beyond Baroque
Beyond Baroque is a well-respected arts middle. Art and literary lovers, this can be a spot for you. There are poetry occasions, theater performances, workshops, and artwork gross sales. The finest means to method Beyond Baroque is by checking the middle’s schedule and seeing what it has arising.
Keep in thoughts that Beyond Baroque solely opens frequently on Fridays and Saturdays. This means you’ll have to jiggle your itinerary round accordingly. On nowadays, it begins from noon till 6 pm.
You can simply attain Beyond Baroque on foot. The arts middle is positioned off of South Venice Blvd, a 30-minute from Venice Beach’s middle.
Insider Tip: Check the schedule forward of time in case tickets go shortly for occasions. Practical Information: Beyond Baroque opens from noon till 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
5. Skatepark
Venice Beach Skatepark is without doubt one of the world’s most iconic skate park decisions. It’s open to everybody and free to get pleasure from.
The skate park sits proper subsequent to the seaside, overlooking the ocean. It’s sunken into the bottom, with street-inspired designs and options like stairs and railings. It’s the perfect place to hone your abilities should you love skateboarding. And an exquisite place to people-watch if not.
The Skatepark is subsequent to Venice Breakwater. It’s off the Ocean Front Walk – a well-known promenade hugging the seafront.
Insider Tip: Grab a espresso from the Sidewalk Cafe and head to watch the methods. Practical Information: It’s open day by day from 8am till 7pm and free to enter.
6. Venice Art Walls
If you’re stopping by the skate park, go to the Venice Art Walls. These are substantial industrial-looking partitions and buildings adorned with native road artwork. To embrace Venice Beach’s cool, skater-chic undertone, you’ll be able to’t cease by wherever higher.
The Venice Art Walls are free to admire simply bear in mind to carry an honest digital camera and prepare for many posing. This free attraction is positioned simply off the Ocean Front Walk. It’s simply slotted into even the busiest of itineraries.
Insider Tip: Bring an ideal digital camera and go to out of peak hours to get the perfect pictures. Practical Information: Open 24/7 and free to go to.
7. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara
The Pacific Coast Highway is essentially the most well-known highway journey in California. The total freeway runs 9 hours from simply above San Francisco to slightly below Los Angeles, and it’s full of gorgeous state parks like Pfeiffer Big Sur and Point Mugu. In a day journey, we advise simply driving to Santa Barbara.
You move Malibu – famed for its sleepy seaside city vibe – passing distant seashores like Zuma Beach and Paradise Cove. You’ll move Leo Carillo State Park and Point Mugu State Park, lastly arriving in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is a superb place to get pleasure from Spanish colonial heritage.
The total return journey ought to take 4-5 hours to drive – a wonderfully possible day journey. It’s probably the most adventurous issues to do in the world. Read extra at The Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary
Insider Tip: Stop off at Malibu and a few seashores and state parks en route. Practical Information: Your solely prices are gas and the rental automotive. Check charges for automotive rental right here.
8. Spend a Day in Los Angeles City Center
Venice Beach is superb, however you need to expertise Los Angeles, too. Dedicate not less than half a day to exploring all the town middle’s finest components.
You can tour Paramount Pictures Studio, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Universal Studios. Los Angeles is the town of film magic and celebrities. Don’t miss out on both of those. Book this extremely rated tour of Los Angeles together with Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Griffin Park, and Monica Pier.
You can simply attain Los Angeles by taxi in simply 20 minutes or use public transport to get to the town middle in 1.5 hours. Read extra: 37 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles.
Insider Tip: Set off early in the morning to catch sights just like the Walk of Fame with minimal crowds. Practical Information: Certain sights, just like the Walk of Fame, are open 24/7 and are free. Studio excursions value round $55-60 and open round 8 am and 5 pm.
9. Mothers Beach
This seaside is called due to its sheltered, surf-free circumstances. It’s tucked into the Marina Del Rey space and preferrred for a quiet seaside day.
Mothers Beach has a youngsters’s playground and picnic tables. With shallow waters and a peaceable ambiance, it’s an ideal place to check out swimming. It’s straightforward to see why it’s the most effective issues to do for households in Venice Beach. Read extra: 28 Best Beaches in California
Insider Tip: Try out kayaking should you really feel adventurous. Practical Information: Open 24/7 and free.
10. Venice Beach
Of course, we are able to’t focus on Venice Beach with out discussing its same-named seaside. This is a phenomenal place to have a seaside afternoon. You can sit alongside the sand, admiring crashing waves and sunbathing.
The better part concerning the seaside is how accessible it’s. You can stroll proper from the middle of the neighborhood to the seaside in simply minutes.
Insider Tip: Bring a picnic to get pleasure from on the Beach. Practical Information: Open 24/7 and free.
11. Go Surfing
Who doesn’t consider browsing once they envision California? You can be part of a bunch lesson, hire a board, or guide a non-public lesson to enhance shortly.
You can surf alongside the Venice Beach strip – together with at Santa Monica on the northern finish. Some firms even supply pictures and movies of your browsing session.
Insider Tip: Look for early morning slots so you might have much less crowded waters. Practical Information: Budget round $20 for leases and up to $100 for personal classes.
12. Venice Sign
The Venice signal is without doubt one of the quickest experiences in this information. But that doesn’t cease it being probably the most iconic issues to do in Venice Beach.
This illuminated string of letters is suspended above Pacific Avenue and is a must-experience at evening. The smooth glow of the letters is a magical contact. Tourists flock to the signal to get a fast selfie.
Insider Tip: Visit at evening to see the signal lit up. Practical Information: Open 24/7 and free.
13. Bergamot Station Arts Center
Bergamot Station Arts Center is a phenomenal, stimulating artwork house with a rotation of a number of totally different galleries. Around 30 galleries and artwork companies are in the middle – that means tons of range and different issues to see.
There’s every part from high quality artwork to up to date works. If you’re keen on artwork and inventive areas, then you definitely don’t need to stage this off of your itinerary.
Insider Tip: Catch the #1 bus to Bergamot; it takes round 40 minutes. Practical Information: Open 10am till 6pm Tuesday till Saturday.
14. Small World Books
If you go to Venice Beach, cease by Small World Books. This impartial bookshop is an unimaginable place to browse or purchase. Check the upcoming schedule for every part from second-hand paperbacks to poetry volumes and arranged occasions.
Literature followers can’t get higher than Small World Books. It’s positioned conveniently simply off the Ocean Front Walk – a simple itinerary addition.
Insider Tip: Leave additional hand baggage room to carry residence a number of books! Practical Information: Open 10am till 8pm day by day.
15. The Getty
The Getty is a hive of American and European artwork, all set inside a dramatic up to date constructing and manicured gardens. It’s large. It’s additionally free – making it the most effective free issues to do in Venice Beach.
You might simply spend hours wandering the Getty, and we’d advocate it for any fanatic or individual in search of a wet day exercise.
Insider Tip: Visit on Saturday night for an after-hours expertise. Practical Information: Open 10 am till 5:30 pm Sunday to Friday, open till 8 pm on Saturdays, and closed on Mondays.
16. L.A. Louver
L.A. Louver is an excellent artwork gallery which opened in 1975. The gallery solely showcases up to date artwork and is a phenomenal place to spend a number of hours. L.A. Louver is good if you would like art-related issues to do in Venice Beach. It’s additionally extra formal than the road artwork experiences.
L.A. Louver showcases work from each worldwide and native artists. It has every part from sculptures to canvas items.
Insider Tip: Entry is free, however reserve your slot. Practical Information: Open 10am till 6pm from Tuesday till Saturday.
17. High Rooftop Lounge
This rooftop lounge is positioned in Hotel Erwin with the perfect Venice Beach views. If D.J. days and nights with ocean views and specialty cocktails sound up your road, you’ll love the High Rooftop Lounge.
The lounge is 100% open-air, so test when the climate is sweet throughout your keep. You also needs to make a reservation to keep away from queuing.
High Rooftop Lounge is without doubt one of the prettiest locations to admire the attractive neighborhood from above. You’ll get aerial views of the boardwalk, ocean, and road life.
Insider Tip: Make a reservation in advance. Practical Information: Open from round noon till 9pm Monday to Thursday, midday till 10pm Friday and Saturday, and 10am till 9pm on Sundays.
18. Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a principal road and often called the ‘coolest block in America.’ The road is a mile lengthy and is lined with colourful retailers, artwork galleries, and eating places. It’s the place to be when visiting.
We’d counsel strolling Abbot Kinney Boulevard for essentially the most genuine and immersive expertise. It’s named after the outstanding developer Abbot Kinney, a water provide knowledgeable who influenced the Venetian canal system.
You can stroll the stretch in round 20 minutes to half-hour. But permit additional time to store and eat.
Insider Tip: Visit on the primary Friday of the month to get pleasure from meals truck snacks. Practical Information: N/A
FAQs: Things to do in Venice Beach
There are tons of wonderful issues to do in Venice Beach. Before you rush off to indulge in all of the issues to do, take a look at these high FAQs. These are the snippets of data which might be value taking a look at.
Is Venice Beach, LA, value visiting?
Venice Beach is completely value visiting. The boho vibe and waterfront residing are a phenomenal mixture, and it’s preferrred in good climate due to all of the outside issues to do.
What’s so particular about Venice Beach?
Venice Beach is particular as a result of it provides a laidback neighborhood proper subsequent to the seaside, solely a 25-minute drive from Los Angeles’s metropolis middle. You can get pleasure from its canal district, seashores, and road tradition.
Is Venice Beach or Santa Monica higher?
Venice Beach is our favourite. It’s smaller and tremendous vibrant through the day. Santa Monica comes into its personal at night-time with bars and upscale eating places. Santa Monica is bigger with extra of a cultured than a boho vibe like Venice Beach.
Can you swim in the ocean at Venice Beach?
Yes, Venice Beach has tons of seashores the place you’ll be able to swim. Just don’t swim in the Venice Beach canals – you will get arrested for doing so, and it’s tremendous unhygienic.
Tips and Information Before Visiting
Are you severe about visiting Venice Beach? You ought to take a look at some ideas and methods earlier than visiting. This means, you’ll be as ready as doable and get the perfect out of the boho neighborhood.
The Best time to go to
The finest time to go to Venice Beach is undoubtedly in sizzling climate, so pencil in a go to between May and September. Between these months, the temperatures hover round 75 Fahrenheit – that means you’ll be able to benefit from the ocean, stroll round Venice Beach, and the sunniest skies.
Let’s slender issues down much more, although. How do you choose from these months?
July till August is the height season in Venice Beach. This is while you’ll discover the crowds, as everybody flocks to California for summer season. If you’re okay with crowds, July and August are enjoyable. But to keep away from crowds, we’d counsel shoulder months – May, June, or September.
Getting there
The finest means to attain Venice Beach is to fly into Los Angeles International Airport or journey from Los Angeles’s metropolis middle.
If you fly into Los Angeles International Airport, you are taking the bus to Venice Beach or catch a 20-minute taxi for round $20. This is good for anybody touring internationally or from distant states in the U.S. If you’re touring from Los Angeles to Venice Beach, the quickest means is to catch a taxi for round $30-40. Alternatively, you should use public transport, which takes about 1.5 hours.
You also can highway journey to Venice Beach. It takes round 2.5 hours to go from San Diego to Venice Beach and 6.5 hours from San Francisco.
Getting round
The easiest method to get round is on foot or by bike – there are many bike path choices in the town middle. You also can get round on the water, with public transport choices together with water buses, water taxis, gondola rides, and traghettis. And there’s a public bus line for extra conventional transport. You can hire a automotive or catch taxis if essential.
How a lot time do you want?
Ideally, you want 2-3 days. This provides satisfactory time to calm down with the Venice Beach ‘lifestyle’ – having fun with volleyball courts, road artwork, and boardwalk views. To incorporate a number of day journeys and experiences in inner-city Los Angeles, you want 7-days.
Where to keep in Venice Beach
So, the place must you keep in Venice Beach? The southern finish of Venice Beach has Marina del Rey and the historic canal district. It’s additionally the place you’ll discover the long-lasting Venice Beach Boardwalk. The south finish is finest through the day and for an genuine expertise.
The northern finish is the place Venice Beach conjoins with Santa Monica. Santa Monica is bigger, with the massive Santa Monica Pier and extra upscale accommodations, eating places, and bars. It’s the place to keep to exit extra at evening and revel in a luxurious Venice Beach expertise.
Here are among the finest accommodations in Venice Beach…
HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel is the biggest purpose-built hostel in the U.S. It has many dormitory choices, together with a non-public room. Get charges and availability right here.
This 4-star property is without doubt one of the most stunning mid-range properties. It’s famed for its rooftop bar, beautiful boardwalk, and Pacific Ocean views. Check charges and availability right here.
Shutters on the Beach is a 5-star property in Santa Monica Beach with a pool and spa. It’s extra upscale and surrounded by luxurious eating places. Check charges an availability right here.
Venice Beach will hold you busy whether or not you need artwork galleries, reside music, tennis courts, or skate parks. There are so many issues to do in Venice Beach. Remember to take a look at the day journeys from Los Angeles, too.
Venice Beach is an thrilling vacation spot that channels a artistic, laid-back way of life and ambiance. You’ll love this iconic neighborhood should you love the outside and seaside locations.