Travel & Leisure

California’s artistic bustle in Venice

Venice represents one of the enduring beach icons in Southern California. Famously known as a cradle for creative souls, Venice also has canals and an eternally thriving boardwalk. The overflowing amount of recreational options makes this vibrant Los Angeles neighborhood a fun destination 365 days a year.

Legendary Venice Beach

California has a long list of beach cultures that are time and again captured vividly on books and films. There can be none as vibrant as Venice Beach, which encompasses the Ocean Front Walk, Muscle Beach and the Skate Dancing Plaza. Courts for basketball, handball and paddle tennis are also part of Venice Beach. Surfers catch the waves at the Venice Breakwater. The beach is also home to the lifeguard headquarters of Los Angeles County Fire Department. Book your Venice Hotels with Reservations.com.

Abbott Kinney Boulevard

Taking a cool break beyond the sun, sea and sand in Venice leads visitors to Abbott Kinney Boulevard, an area filled with bars, shops, cafes and restaurants. This main artery of the neighborhood is named after Venice’s founder. A diverse range of shopping options await you at the trendy boutiques, crafts stores and other creative retail hubs. Located less than a mile from Venice Beach, this downtown boulevard hosts a fine selection of dining choices to whet your appetites after hitting the golden sands.

Architectural showcase along the canals

The man who built this town sought to duplicate the ubiquitous canals of Venice in Italy.  Some 16 miles of canals were dug in 1904 and were opened a year after. These waterways, which can be found between boulevards Washington and Venice, now serve as an area of restored architectural showpieces of quaint cottages and elaborate mansions. Legendary music icon Jim Morrison of the band, The Doors, made these canals his home back in the 1960s, when Venice was a haven for artists and soon after, the hippies during the 70s.