Venice Travel Guide

Welcome to Venice, CA!

Venice is both literally and figuratively miles from its namesake in Italy, but it wasn’t always so. The district, which is situated in Los Angeles’ West Side and is famous for its beach and boardwalk, was founded in 1905 by millionaire Abbot Kinney as a seaside resort. Kinney drained marshland to create several miles of canals, a business district with Venetian architecture, and a pier and amusement park along the area’s mile-long beach. Called ‘Venice of America,’ the resort town boomed with first tourists from nearby LA and later residents, and Venice, California was born. But its heyday didn’t last and by mid century, the area was deemed the ‘Slum by the Sea’ and became home to the Beat Generation in the 50s and the Doors in the 60s. The skating craze of the 70s reenergized the boardwalk and today, Venice is again one of LA’s most vibrant and funky districts—full of art deco character, historic canals, trendy boutiques, sidewalk cafes and galleries.

Its original allure, however, remains its foremost attraction—its beach and boardwalk. Also called the Ocean Front Walk, tourists flock to the boardwalk for its non-stop entertainment—street performers, musicians, preachers, and bikini-clad roller-bladers alike—while the beach exemplifies Southern California culture. Cyclists, walkers and skaters continue to love its miles of trails along the Pacific Ocean and the Venice Breakwater produces some seriously sought-after waves for surfers. Little remains of Kinney’s original Venice, but his name lives on with festivals and Abbot Kinney Boulevard—home to some of the city’s most edgy shopping and nightlife that harks back to Venice’s bohemian past.

Hotels & Motels

Tour Operators