Venice is a lively beachside neighborhood in Los Angeles. Here are some of the best experiences you can have in this bohemian gem.
Venice Beach
First, make your way down to the famous Venice Beach where you will find a whole load of things to see and do. Check out the Venice art walls; these ever-changing walls are a historic landmark for street art in LA. From here, if you walk towards the ocean there’s plenty of space to play some Frisbee, chill out, or catch a few waves. For the young at heart, there’s also a skate park where you can check out the talented skateboarders.
Muscle Beach
Wander down to the famous outdoor gym known as Muscle Beach. This was the birthplace of the fitness boom in the States during the 20th century and it’s still really popular today.
Venice Boardwalk
Venice Boardwalk runs parallel to the beach. It can be pretty hectic to walk down here on a busy day but it’s worth the crowds. You will find free-spirited individuals, funky shops street performers, and public art murals. It’s mesmerizing to walk through here and admire all the weird and wonderful things going on around you. The boardwalk turns into a promenade for runners, cyclists, and skateboarders, so why not join in. You can hire a bike from J’s rentals for just $6 an hour.
They are one of the oldest and most recognizable rental shops in Venice having been featured in almost any film made on Venice Beach. If cycling isn’t for you, then one of the newest ways to cruise down Venice Boardwalk is on a ‘bird’. These electric scooters are extremely popular. You will notice people zooming around on them straight away. All you have to do is download their app, and it works just like Uber.
Santa Monica Pier
Make your way down the boardwalk and you will end up at Santa Monica Pier. Just before the pier, you will find the original Muscle Beach which is full of people trying out gymnast rings, monkey bars, and ropes. If you are the athletic type, try out the rings for yourself once you get to the pier walk all the way down and check out some attractions. It’s a must-see but we wouldn’t recommend spending too much time here as the sideshows can be quite expensive.
Venice Canals
Back in Venice, wander over to the picturesque Venice canals. The man-made canals were built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney. Kinney wanted to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice in Southern California. The canals are now a quaint upscale neighborhood; fully restored and remodeled homes make it a postcard-perfect location. From the canals, it’s only a 10-minute walk to Abbot Kinney Boulevard one of LA’s best shopping districts which feature fabulous foodie, hotspots stylish boutiques, and coffee shops. It’s also regarded as one of the coolest streets in the States.
After a full day of discovering Venice, end your day at the rooftop bar at Hotel Erwin. Enjoy a couple of drinks and watch a perfect sunset.
