Venice is arguably the most eclectic, funky district in the sprawling Los Angeles metropolitan area, and a huge draw for tourists during their visit to this major southern Californian destination. Forget about Hollywood. If you want to see the real freaks of LA, head for the boardwalk along Venice Beach, where body builders work out next to drag queens on rollerblades.
This former marshland was deliberately transformed into a resort town modeled on its namesake in Italy. The canals connected by small one-lane bridges reflect this intention, although nowadays most of the attention is focused on Venice’s hugely popular and entertaining beach with its infamous Ocean Front Walk. Even locals like to come to Venice Beach and marvel at the year-round Mardi Gras scene that gives this town so much of its character.
Venture inland from the sand and you’ll find street after street of boutiques, trendy cafés and quirky canal side townhouses. Venice’s Main street contains some of LA’s funkiest architecture and artists, providing hours of fun window shopping and wandering. With Santa Monica just up the beach path, Venice makes a great place to either stay or just hang out.
Highlights
Venice Beach: the home of Muscle Beach, Jim Morrison and killer pickup basketball games is the town’s top attraction if you can get past the inundation of bland food and gaudy souvenir shops.
Chiat-Day Building: one of LA’s most bizarre buildings was designed by Frank Gehry and is shaped like a pair of four-story binoculars with a boat and a tree sticking off of them.
Los Angeles Louver Gallery: some of the hottest artists in Los Angeles get their start at this cutting-edge art gallery located just off Venice Beach.
Penmar Golf Course: get your golfing fix at this fun nine-hole course right in the heart of Venice.
Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center: more than a Bohemian bookstore, the literary heart and soul of Venice has been around since 1968, offering readings and performance art to go with its amazing book selection.