Venice Beach was built in 1905 to look like Italy. What it became was entirely its own. Skaters carve through the pedestrian crowd, murals stretch across entire building walls, a surfer walks up from the water while a street performer draws a circle of onlookers forty feet away, and the Pacific sits right there behind all of it.
This travel guide covers the heart of Venice — the boardwalk, the canals, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, the best restaurants, and the best hotels, plus how to connect a morning at the beach with an afternoon through Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
Our award-winning Hollywood tours depart daily from Santa Monica, a short drive from Venice Beach. See the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, celebrity homes, and the Sunset Strip without the stress of driving and parking. Book your spot here.
Table of Contents
- What Is Venice Beach?
- Planning Your Trip to Venice Beach
- Must-See Attractions When You Visit Venice Beach
- Best Restaurants in Venice Beach
- Best Hotels in Venice Beach
- FAQs About Venice Beach
What Is Venice Beach?
Venice Beach is a beachfront neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles, known for its bohemian boardwalk, outdoor gym, skate park, and the historic Venice Canals. The main boardwalk, Ocean Front Walk, stretches two miles along the coast and draws over ten million visitors a year, making it the second most-visited destination in Southern California after Disneyland.
The neighborhood sits just south of Santa Monica, connected by the Marvin Braude Bike Trail along the coast. Most visitors spend two to four hours here, enough time in Venice to walk the full boardwalk, see the canals, and explore Abbot Kinney Boulevard without feeling rushed.
For a broader look at the coastline, see our guide to the best beaches near Los Angeles.
Planning Your Trip to Venice Beach
Getting There from Santa Monica and L.A.
Venice Beach sits about two miles south of the Santa Monica Pier, making it an easy drive, rideshare, or bike ride from most West LA hotels. From Santa Monica, the Big Blue Bus Route 1 runs along Main Street directly into Venice and is the most straightforward public transit option. On summer weekends, driving from Santa Monica takes under ten minutes. From downtown Los Angeles, budget 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Parking at the Venice Beach Boardwalk
The main parking lots sit along Pacific Avenue and at 300 Ocean Front Walk directly beside the boardwalk. Rates run $15 to $25 per day during peak season (May through September) and $9 to $15 in the off-season. Lots open at 6am and close at 10pm — overnight parking is not permitted and violations result in towing.
There is no in-and-out privilege once you pay, so plan your visit before pulling in. Arriving before 9am on weekends gives you the best chance at a spot. After 10am on a summer Saturday, expect to spend time circling. Street parking exists on surrounding residential blocks but requires careful attention to posted permit zone signs.
The Bike Path, Rentals, and Routes
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail runs along the coast, connecting Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach in about two miles. Several rental shops near the boardwalk offer bikes, e-bikes, and surreys by the hour. It is one of the more practical ways to get from Santa Monica to Venice without dealing with parking lots, and the coastal views along the route make the ride worth it on its own.
For more on getting around the city, see our full guide to getting around Los Angeles without a car.
Must-See Attractions When You Visit Venice Beach
The Venice Boardwalk
Ocean Front Walk is a two-mile pedestrian promenade running parallel to the sand and connecting most of Venice’s major landmarks. The central stretch between Windward Avenue and the Venice Recreation Center at 1800 Ocean Front Walk is the most active section, where street vendors, performers, and outdoor courts converge. Paddle tennis courts and basketball courts run alongside the boardwalk here, drawing serious players year-round.
Most visitors walk the full length in about 45 minutes at a casual pace. The northern end connects to Santa Monica’s boardwalk. The southern end terminates near Marina del Rey.
Muscle Beach and the Skate Park
Muscle Beach Venice at 1800 Ocean Front Walk has been an outdoor weightlifting facility since 1963. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Franco Columbu all trained here, and the gym still operates as a City of Los Angeles facility. Watching from outside the fence is free. A day pass to train costs $10, cash only. Hours run Monday through Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 4pm, and Sunday from noon to 4pm. The gym closes on holidays and rainy days.
The Venice Beach Skate Park sits just south of the Recreation Center. It is a free, public concrete skate park, and the skill level on any given weekend is worth stopping for even if you have no interest in skating yourself.
The Venice Pier and Surf Spots
The Venice Pier extends into the Pacific at the southern end of the boardwalk. It is a free public fishing pier and one of the better vantage points along the coast for unobstructed ocean views in both directions. The area around the pier draws consistent surf, making it a natural gathering point for the early morning surfer crowd before the beach fills up.
Street Art and the Graffiti Wall
The Venice Beach Art Walls sit near the intersection of Windward Avenue and Ocean Front Walk. The space is one of the few legally sanctioned mural and graffiti areas in Los Angeles, and the work rotates regularly as artists add to or paint over existing pieces. It functions as a rotating open-air gallery and is one of the best places to take pictures in Los Angeles.
The Venice Canals
A 10-minute walk from the boardwalk, the Venice Canal Historic District is a residential neighborhood most visitors walk past without knowing it exists. Abbot Kinney built 13 canals in 1905, envisioning a waterway modeled on Venice, Italy, complete with gondola rides and imported gondoliers. By 1929, most had been paved over to make room for roads. Six remain today, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982 and renovated in 1993.
A stroll along the canal paths takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The best entry point is from Dell Avenue near Washington Boulevard. Morning visits are the most photogenic, before foot traffic picks up on the bridges.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard — Live Music, Local Art, and the Sidewalk Cafe Scene
Named for tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney, the mile-long boulevard bearing his name runs through Venice’s interior and was declared the “coolest block in America” by GQ in 2012. Upscale boutiques, art galleries, sidewalk cafe seating, and live music venues line the street, and the dining options here sit several levels above anything on the boardwalk.
The boulevard is about a 10-minute walk from the main boardwalk. Weekday afternoons are the most comfortable time to visit. Weekend foot traffic and limited street parking make it harder to move at your own pace.
Pair your Venice Beach morning with an afternoon Hollywood tour. Our award-winning tours depart daily from Santa Monica, covering celebrity homes, Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Sign, and the Sunset Strip. Book your spot here.
Best Restaurants in Venice Beach
Gjusta at 320 Sunset Ave is a bakery, deli, and cafe a few blocks from the beach that draws visitors and locals in equal measure.
The menu changes with the seasons and includes pastry, smoked fish, roasted meats, salads, and coffee, all made in-house. It opens at 7am daily and closes at 4pm, making it the right place to start a morning before hitting the boardwalk. No reservations, counter service only.
The Sidewalk Cafe at 1401 Ocean Front Walk sits directly on the boardwalk and has been a Venice institution for over 45 years.
The covered outdoor patio puts you at the center of the boardwalk’s foot traffic, making it one of the better dining experiences in Venice if you want to watch the full spectacle of the promenade while you eat. The menu covers burgers, tacos, salads, and pizza. Live acoustic music runs most evenings.
Gjelina on Abbot Kinney Boulevard has been one of Venice’s best restaurants since opening in 2008. The menu is produce-forward and locally sourced, and the dining experience sits several levels above anything on the boardwalk. Walk-ins are possible but reservations are the smarter move, particularly on weekends.
The Butcher’s Daughter at 1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd is the go-to for plant-forward brunch on the boulevard, open daily from 8am.
Best Hotels in Venice Beach
Hotel Erwin at 1697 Pacific Ave is Venice Beach’s original boutique hotel, steps from the boardwalk with ocean views from private balconies. The rooftop bar, Kassi, overlooks the beach and is one of the better sunset spots in the area. Valet parking is available on site, and complimentary bike rentals make it easy to explore the coastline without a car. Rates vary by season but the location is hard to match.
The Venice V Hotel is a 1915 landmark building sitting directly on the boardwalk, restored as a boutique property with 34 rooms and suites. Penthouse bungalow suites look directly onto the beach, and the hotel offers complimentary bikes and skateboards for guests. It is the only beachfront lifestyle hotel in Venice with a historic building of this age still in operation.
Venice Breeze Suites at 2 Breeze Avenue is a 1930 oceanfront building converted into studio and one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens. The rooftop deck has barbecue facilities and unobstructed ocean views. It suits travelers planning a longer stay who want the convenience of a kitchen alongside a boardwalk address.
Beachfront Suites, Bungalows, and Harbor Views Near Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey sits a mile south of Venice and offers a quieter alternative for travelers who want harbor views over ocean-facing rooms. The Marina del Rey Hotel sits directly on the water with suite accommodations and easy access to both Venice Beach and LAX. The harbor setting trades the boardwalk bustle for marina calm, with the same coastal access.
Travelers staying further north will find a wide range of hotels in Santa Monica within easy reach of Venice Beach by bike path or a short drive.
From the Coast to the Hollywood Hills
Heading back toward Hollywood after your morning in Venice?
Our award-winning tours depart daily from Santa Monica, covering celebrity homes, Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip, and the Hollywood Hills. See the best of Los Angeles without the stress of driving and parking. Book your spot here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Venice Beach
Is Venice Beach free to visit?
Walking the boardwalk, the Venice Canals, and watching the skatepark are all free. Muscle Beach charges $10 for a day pass (cash only) if you want to use the gym equipment. The only consistent cost for most visitors is parking, which runs $15 to $25 per day during peak season.
How long should I spend at Venice Beach?
Two to three hours covers the boardwalk, Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals, and a walk along the skatepark. Add another 30 to 45 minutes if you plan to explore Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Most visitors find that a morning covers everything without feeling rushed.
If you’re planning a longer trip, our 7-day LA itinerary shows how Venice fits into a full week in the city.
Is Venice Beach safe for tourists?
Venice Beach is safe to visit during the day. The boardwalk draws large crowds, which keeps the main stretch active and well-trafficked through daylight hours. It’s worth keeping valuables out of sight and avoiding leaving anything visible in a parked car. After dark, the boardwalk is less predictable, and most visitors are better served staying within the well-lit restaurant areas.
Where do I park at Venice Beach?
The main paid lots sit at 300 Ocean Front Walk and along Pacific Avenue. Rates run $15 to $25 per day in peak season and $9 to $15 in the off-season. Lots open at 6am and close at 10pm. Arriving before 9am on weekends gives you the best chance of finding a spot.
Can I visit Venice Beach and Santa Monica in the same day?
Yes. Santa Monica Pier is about 1.5 miles from Venice Beach along the coast, making them straightforward to combine in a single morning. Walk or ride the bike path north from Venice to reach the pier and Third Street Promenade.
For more ideas, see our guide to day trips from Santa Monica.
What are the must-see spots at Venice Beach?
The Venice Beach Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, the Venice skatepark, the Venice Canals, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard are the five areas worth building into any first visit. Water activities including surfing and paddleboarding are also available along the shoreline for visitors who want to get in the water.
What is the best time of year to visit Venice Beach?
May through June and September through October offer the best conditions for a SoCal beach visit — good weather, manageable crowds, and available parking. July and August are the busiest months. Weekday mornings before 10am are the most comfortable regardless of season, when the boardwalk’s bustle is at its lowest and parking lots are still accessible.
For a full seasonal breakdown of Los Angeles, see our guide to the best time to visit LA.
Is Venice Beach worth a visit?
Venice Beach covers more ground than most visitors expect — the boardwalk, the canals, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and the surf spots each offer something distinct. For first-time visitors to Los Angeles, it is one of the few places in the city that looks and feels entirely unlike anywhere else in the region.
Prices, hours, and availability are subject to change. Parking rates, hotel room rates, restaurant hours, and attraction admission fees listed in this guide reflect information available at the time of publication. Always confirm current details directly with the relevant venue, hotel, or official website before your visit.
