Venice Beach
"Venice Beach is the gritty, artistic, chaotic soul of LA's coast—completely different from polished Santa Monica next door. The Boardwalk features Muscle Beach (outdoor gym), street performers, skaters, artists, and vendors selling everything from incense to hand-painted portraits. It's raw, unapologetic, and showcases LA's weirdness. The canals nearby offer a quieter, picturesque alternative."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Chaotic, artistic
Duration
2 hours
Best For
People watching
The Backstory
Founded in 1905 by Abbot Kinney as 'Venice of America' with canals mimicking Venice, Italy. It became a bohemian artist colony in the 1950s-60s. Muscle Beach attracted bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1970s. Gentrification in the 2000s-2010s pushed out many artists but preserved the counterculture vibe.
Local Secret
"Go in the afternoon when performers are most active. Muscle Beach is free to watch (or join). Walk the Venice Canals (a few blocks inland) for a surreal, quiet contrast to the boardwalk chaos. Avoid walking alone at night—Venice has higher petty crime than Santa Monica. Street parking is impossible; use paid lots."