Venice Beach — The Complete Guide
Venice Beach is the part of LA that looks like nowhere else on earth. It's the boardwalk with street performers and bodybuilders lifting in the sun. It's the skate park where a 7-year-old and a 70-year-old are dropping into the same bowl. It's the canals three blocks from the chaos where you suddenly feel like you're in a different country. It's Abbot Kinney Boulevard, where you can eat some of the best food in the city and then walk to the ocean in ten minutes.
Venice gets around 16 million visitors a year, making it the second most visited destination in Southern California after Disneyland. But most of those visitors see the boardwalk and leave. The real Venice — the canals, the restaurants, the street art, the neighborhood that somehow holds skateboarding culture and $5 million homes in the same square mile — that takes a little more time. And it's worth it.
Things to Do at Venice Beach
Venice has more packed into three square miles than most cities have total. Here's what's actually worth your time.
The Boardwalk (Ocean Front Walk)
The Venice Boardwalk stretches over two miles along the beach and it is exactly as wild as you've heard. Street performers, vendors selling everything from sunglasses to original paintings, the smell of incense and sunscreen, and a general energy that oscillates between carnival and chaos. It's not for everyone, and that's kind of the point.
The boardwalk is at its best in the late morning — the vendors are set up, the performers are out, but the midday crowd hasn't peaked yet. Walk it once end to end (takes about 40 minutes at a stroll), soak it in, and then spend the rest of your day in the spots that actually reward your time.
Venice Skate Park
One of the most famous skateparks in the world, and it's free to use. The 16,000 square foot park sits right on the sand at Windward Plaza and features two bowls, a snake run, and a full street section with steps, rails, and platforms. It opened in 2009 and is officially named the Dennis "Polar Bear" Agnew Memorial Skatepark after the legendary Z-Boy.
Even if you don't skate, this is worth 20 minutes of your time. The talent level on any given afternoon is genuinely jaw-dropping — pros training next to beginners, kids alongside retirees, all with the Pacific as a backdrop.
- Hours: Open daily, 6am to sunset
- Cost: Free
- Rules: Helmets and pads required. Skateboards only — no BMX, scooters, or bikes.
Muscle Beach Venice
This is the outdoor gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno used to train, and it's still going. Located on the boardwalk between 17th and 18th Place, Muscle Beach Venice is more focused on weightlifting and bodybuilding. You can watch from outside the fence for free. If you want to train, day passes are $15 cash only. Annual memberships run about $250, also cash only.
Venice Canals
Three blocks from the madness of the boardwalk, the Venice Canals feel like a different universe. Built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as part of his "Venice of America" project, they're now a registered Historic District. Walking the canals is free and takes about 30‒45 minutes. The footpaths wind along the water, crossing charming pedestrian bridges, past homes ranging from bohemian cottages to modern glass boxes. Herons, egrets, ducks, and cormorants are everywhere.
You can bring a non-motorized boat (kayak, canoe, rowboat) and launch from the ramp at 2401 North Venice Blvd. Max 18 feet long. No motorized boats. No swimming in the canals.
Venice Art Walls & Street Art
The Venice Art Walls near the skate park are managed by the Setting The Pace Foundation since 1999 — a rotating gallery of work from local and visiting street artists that changes regularly. The Venice Sign at Windward and Pacific is the iconic photo spot and lights up at night.
Best Restaurants in Venice Beach
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Gjelina — The restaurant that started Venice's dining evolution and it's still at the top. California-Italian with incredible wood-fired vegetables and pizzas. Reservations recommended. (1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd)
Felix Trattoria — Some of the best handmade pasta on the West Coast. Chef Evan Funke rolls noodles behind a glass-enclosed laboratorio every night. The tonnarelli cacio e pepe is a must. (1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd)
RVR — Chef Travis Lett's California-Japanese izakaya. Seasonal small plates, ramen, hand rolls, and grilled skewers. One of the most exciting new openings in Venice. (1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd)
The Butcher's Daughter — Vegetarian restaurant and juice bar that leans into every Venice cliché and makes it work. Great for brunch. (1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd)
Abbot's Pizza — A neon-lit slice shop that's been here for 20+ years. The "Bianco" with ricotta is the move. (1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd)
Boardwalk & Beach Area
Dudley Market — Part oyster bar, part wine bar, part burger spot, right near the beach. The boardwalk-area restaurant that locals actually go to. (9 Dudley Ave)
Hinano Cafe — Venice Beach dive bar institution. Cash only. $8 burgers. Cold beer. It's been here forever and it will outlast everything trendy on Abbot Kinney. (15 Washington Blvd)
The Venice Whaler — Cheap beers, killer happy hour, live music. A Saturday afternoon turns into a Saturday night without you noticing. (10 Washington Blvd)
Worth the Walk
Gjusta — The bakery/deli from the Gjelina team. Sandwiches, pastries, smoked fish, and breads that people drive across LA for. Get there early on weekends. (320 Sunset Ave)
Si! Mon — An upscale Panamanian restaurant that's one of the most unique dining experiences in Venice. (1101 Abbot Kinney Blvd)
Rooftop & Drinks
Kassi Venice Beach — Rooftop restaurant and bar at Hotel Erwin with panoramic ocean views. One of the best rooftop views in LA. (1697 Pacific Ave)
Old Lightning — A reservation-only cocktail bar hidden in the back of Scopa Italian Roots. Intimate, speakeasy vibes. (2905 Washington Blvd)
Only The Wild Ones — A listening bar in a century-old bungalow. Natural wines, craft cocktails, and high-fidelity vinyl DJ sets Thursday through Saturday. (1500 Abbot Kinney Blvd)
Abbot Kinney Boulevard — Beyond Food
GQ once called Abbot Kinney "the coolest block in America." The boulevard runs from Venice Boulevard to Main Street, with the action concentrated where it meets Venice Blvd.
First Friday: On the first Friday of every month starting at 5pm, Abbot Kinney fills up with LA's best food trucks plus special merchant events. Free to attend.
Artists & Fleas: Every Saturday 10am‒5pm at Abbot Kinney and Westminster Ave. Over 50 local artisans selling handmade goods, vintage finds, and art.
Shopping highlights: Intelligentsia (coffee worth the hype), Erewhon (the most LA grocery store in existence), and dozens of independent boutiques.
Venice Beach Parking (Updated 2025)
Parking in Venice is stressful. Here's the actual current info.
- South City Lot (2100 Ocean Front Walk) — closest to the canals, Muscle Beach, skate park
- North City Lot (2400 Ocean Front Walk) — north end of the boardwalk
- Washington Blvd Lot (4101 Washington Blvd) — near the Venice Pier
Seasonal pricing: Winter $5‒9, summer $8‒15. All lots open 6am to midnight. No overnight parking.
The smart move: Metro Line 33 runs from downtown to Santa Monica with stops in Venice ($1.75 one-way). Or bike — Venice is very bikeable and you avoid the parking problem entirely.
Is Venice Beach Safe?
During the day, Venice Beach is generally safe, especially along the boardwalk and in commercial areas like Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Use standard city awareness — keep valuables secure, stay in populated areas, and be mindful of your surroundings after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Venice Beach safe? Venice Beach is generally safe during the day, especially along the main boardwalk and beach areas. Like any urban beach, it's best to be aware of your surroundings and avoid isolated areas at night.
What is the best time to go to Venice Beach? The best time to visit Venice Beach is in the morning or late afternoon. Mornings are less crowded, and late afternoon offers beautiful golden hour light and a livelier boardwalk scene.
