Venice Beach is the best neighborhood on Los Angeles’ shoreline. It has a boho vibe with avenue performers, canals, and skate parks, and that’s with out mentioning the enduring 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 truth, 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 unimaginable not to love.
Venice Beach is an ‘outdoor’ vacation spot. Whether you might be admiring avenue artwork, enjoying on tennis courts, hitting the seaside, or strolling the boardwalk, its sunny streets are lined by avenue distributors and performers, and the message is obvious: get out and have enjoyable. It is a far cry from the marginally gritty streets of internal Los Angeles, and this goes down a deal with.
In this information, we’ll cowl all the very best issues to do in Venice Beach. Get prepared for some critical inspiration – we’ll create an final itinerary.
Location-wise, Venice Beach is roughly a 25-minute drive west of Los Angeles’s metropolis heart. 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 enduring boardwalk, and seashores below the watchful gaze of the lifeguard headquarters. There are a whole lot 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 photographs 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 automobile rental, you possibly can evaluate 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 enduring Boardwalk is tremendous scenic. The neighborhood was designed to promote out of doors dwelling, and its fun-loving ambiance simply emphasizes this.
Are you excited to expertise the very best 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 standard than transport by automobile.
The canals are situated on the southern finish of Venice Beach, nonetheless lined by residential homes. The Venice Canals protect a once-popular approach of transport and life. You can take Venice Canal Historic District excursions and experience gondolas and water buses.
There’s additionally the Venice Canals Walkway, a path linking the shores by a collection of picturesque bridges. It’s a family-friendly route with lovely views – ultimate in case you’d choose to expertise the canals on foot.
Insider Tip: Enjoy the Venice Canals Walkway if you’d 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 among the most well-known out of doors gyms in the world. Whether you’re a health club lover or not, you need to tick off using 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 out of doors gyms principally resembling kids’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 cross.
Insider Tip: Arrive exterior of peak occasions and buy a day cross. Practical Information: A day cross 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 among the finest free issues to do in Venice Beach in case you’re joyful to absorb the ambiance.
Santa Monica Pier has a enjoyable and tacky ambiance, plus nice views over the Pacific Ocean and wonderful 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 price range and joyful to skip the rides. Practical Information: Expect to pay between $5 and $10 per experience.
4. Beyond Baroque
Beyond Baroque is a well-respected arts heart. Art and literary fans, it is a spot for you. There are poetry occasions, theater performances, workshops, and artwork gross sales. The finest approach to strategy Beyond Baroque is by checking the middle’s schedule and seeing what it has arising.
Keep in thoughts that Beyond Baroque solely opens commonly on Fridays and Saturdays. This means you’ll have to jiggle your itinerary round accordingly. On lately, it begins from noon till 6 pm.
You can simply attain Beyond Baroque on foot. The arts heart is situated off of South Venice Blvd, a 30-minute from Venice Beach’s heart.
Insider Tip: Check the schedule forward of time in case tickets go rapidly for occasions. Practical Information: Beyond Baroque opens from noon till 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
5. Skatepark
Venice Beach Skatepark is among the world’s most iconic skate park selections. 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 very best place to hone your abilities in case 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 tips. Practical Information: It’s open each day from 8am till 7pm and free to enter.
6. Venice Art Walls
If you might be stopping by the skate park, go to the Venice Art Walls. These are substantial industrial-looking partitions and constructions adorned with native avenue artwork. To embrace Venice Beach’s cool, skater-chic undertone, you possibly can’t cease by wherever higher.
The Venice Art Walls are free to admire simply keep in mind to deliver a good digicam and prepare for plenty of posing. This free attraction is situated simply off the Ocean Front Walk. It’s simply slotted into even the busiest of itineraries.
Insider Tip: Bring a terrific digicam and go to out of peak hours to get the very best 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 just under Los Angeles, and it’s full of lovely state parks like Pfeiffer Big Sur and Point Mugu. In a day journey, we propose simply driving to Santa Barbara.
You cross Malibu – famed for its sleepy seaside city vibe – passing distant seashores like Zuma Beach and Paradise Cove. You’ll cross Leo Carillo State Park and Point Mugu State Park, lastly arriving in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is a good 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 realm. 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 gasoline and the rental automobile. Check charges for automobile rental right here.
8. Spend a Day in Los Angeles City Center
Venice Beach is wonderful, however you need to expertise Los Angeles, too. Dedicate no less than half a day to exploring all the town heart’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 heart in 1.5 hours. Read extra: 37 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles.
Insider Tip: Set off early in the morning to catch points of interest just like the Walk of Fame with minimal crowds. Practical Information: Certain points of interest, just like the Walk of Fame, are open 24/7 and are free. Studio excursions price 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 ultimate for a quiet seaside day.
Mothers Beach has a kids’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 among the finest issues to do for households in Venice Beach. Read extra: 28 Best Beaches in California
Insider Tip: Try out kayaking in case you really feel adventurous. Practical Information: Open 24/7 and free.
10. Venice Beach
Of course, we will’t focus on Venice Beach with out discussing its same-named seaside. This is a fantastic place to have a seaside afternoon. You can sit alongside the sand, admiring crashing waves and sunbathing.
The better part in regards to 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 after they envision California? You can be a part of a bunch lesson, hire a board, or e book a personal lesson to enhance rapidly.
You can surf alongside the Venice Beach strip – together with at Santa Monica on the northern finish. Some firms even provide photographs and movies of your browsing session.
Insider Tip: Look for early morning slots so you’ve gotten 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 among 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 comfortable 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 fantastic, stimulating artwork area 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 the whole lot from tremendous artwork to up to date works. If you like artwork and inventive areas, then you definately don’t need to stage this off of your itinerary.
Insider Tip: Catch the number one 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 unbiased bookshop is an unimaginable place to browse or purchase. Check the upcoming schedule for the whole lot from second-hand paperbacks to poetry volumes and arranged occasions.
Literature followers can’t get higher than Small World Books. It’s situated conveniently simply off the Ocean Front Walk – a straightforward itinerary addition.
Insider Tip: Leave further hand baggage room to deliver dwelling a number of books! Practical Information: Open 10am till 8pm each 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 big. It’s additionally free – making it among the finest free issues to do in Venice Beach.
You might simply spend hours wandering the Getty, and we’d advocate it for any fanatic or particular person on the lookout for 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 fantastic place to spend a number of hours. L.A. Louver is right if you’d 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 the whole lot 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 situated in Hotel Erwin with the very best Venice Beach views. If D.J. days and nights with ocean views and specialty cocktails sound up your avenue, you’ll love the High Rooftop Lounge.
The lounge is 100% open-air, so verify when the climate is nice throughout your keep. You also needs to make a reservation to keep away from queuing.
High Rooftop Lounge is among the prettiest locations to admire the gorgeous neighborhood from above. You’ll get aerial views of the boardwalk, ocean, and avenue 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 foremost avenue and often known as the ‘coolest block in America.’ The avenue 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 distinguished developer Abbot Kinney, a water provide skilled who influenced the Venetian canal system.
You can stroll the stretch in round 20 minutes to half-hour. But enable further 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 prime FAQs. These are the snippets of knowledge which might be price .
Is Venice Beach, LA, price visiting?
Venice Beach is totally price visiting. The boho vibe and waterfront dwelling are a fantastic mixture, and it’s ultimate in good climate due to all of the out of doors issues to do.
What’s so particular about Venice Beach?
Venice Beach is particular as a result of it affords a laidback group proper subsequent to the seaside, solely a 25-minute drive from Los Angeles’s metropolis heart. You can get pleasure from its canal district, seashores, and avenue tradition.
Is Venice Beach or Santa Monica higher?
Venice Beach is our favourite. It’s smaller and tremendous vibrant throughout 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 possibly can swim. Just don’t swim in the Venice Beach canals – you may get arrested for doing so, and it’s tremendous unhygienic.
Tips and Information Before Visiting
Are you critical about visiting Venice Beach? You ought to take a look at some suggestions and tips earlier than visiting. This approach, you’ll be as ready as attainable and get the very best out of the boho group.
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 possibly can benefit from the ocean, stroll round Venice Beach, and the sunniest skies.
Let’s slim issues down much more, although. How do you decide from these months?
July till August is the height season in Venice Beach. This is whenever 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 approach to attain Venice Beach is to fly into Los Angeles International Airport or journey from Los Angeles’s metropolis heart.
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 right for anybody touring internationally or from distant states in the U.S. If you’re touring from Los Angeles to Venice Beach, the quickest approach is to catch a taxi for round $30-40. Alternatively, you should utilize public transport, which takes about 1.5 hours.
You may 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 heart. You may 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 automobile or catch taxis if mandatory.
How a lot time do you want?
Ideally, you want 2-3 days. This provides sufficient time to calm down with the Venice Beach ‘lifestyle’ – having fun with volleyball courts, avenue 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 do you have to 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 enduring Venice Beach Boardwalk. The south finish is finest throughout 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 large 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 a few of 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 personal room. Get charges and availability right here.
This 4-star property is among the most lovely 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 maintain you busy whether or not you need artwork galleries, dwell 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 in case you love the outside and seaside locations.