Venice Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Gary Leonard/LA Tourism Marketing
Photo provided by Matt Marriott/La Tourism Marketing
Venice
Venice
Venice Beach featuring street scenes and outdoor eating as well as a large group of people

Sip on smoothies, stroll through a maze of canals and browse alternative shops at this Californian beach, famous for its boardwalk and quirky residents.

Venice is a colorful neighborhood with eclectic shops, organic cafés and a scenic beach in the Santa Monica region of Los Angeles County. It is home to Venice Beach and its adjoining pier and famous boardwalk. Explore independent shops, choose from an array of restaurants and watch street performances.

Sunbathe or take a dip in the ocean at Venice Beach. It is also a popular surfing spot with gentle waves that suit beginners. Walk around the famous pier and play arcade games with the kids. Ride the Ferris wheel to the top and enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding Venice area.

Venice attracts visitors from all over the world who come to soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Walk along the iconic boardwalk and watch a variety of street performers, including stilt walkers, snake charmers and fortunetellers. Watch roller skaters and admire the unique hairstyles and outfits worn by locals. On most weekends, you can join in the Venice Beach Drum Circle and bang a bongo or chant and dance.

Stop by Muscle Beach and watch the locals carry out their daily fitness regimes. Drink smoothies containing a blend of exotic fruit and vegetables from the organic juice bar.

Make your way to the trendy haven of Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Palm trees and street art line the road, which is packed with sophisticated boutiques, art galleries, wine bars and restaurants.

Take a romantic stroll through the canals. Venice’s founder, Abbot Kinney, built the system of canals in 1905 to pay tribute to the Italian city of the same name. The Venice Boardwalk was an important meeting point in the 1950s and early ’60s for poets from the Beat Generation, such as Jack Kerouac.

The Venice neighborhood sits in the south of the city of Santa Monica, on California’s Pacific coast. It is about 30 minutes by car from downtown Los Angeles, which could take around 45 minutes depending on the traffic. From many locations in Los Angeles County you can take the bus to Venice.

Where to stay in Venice

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Venice Canals

Venice Canals might not have many top sights, but Venice Beach and Venice Beach Boardwalk are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Venice Canals
citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
4 out of 5
361 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA
The price is NZ$269 per night from 22 July to 23 July
NZ$269
22 July - 23 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,425 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
4 out of 5
6225 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
The price is NZ$294 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
NZ$294
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,937 reviews)
"A really comfortable stay and good customer service, totally recommend"

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
4 out of 5
6101 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
The price is NZ$278 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$278
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a free airport shuttle, and a health club. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (7,463 reviews)
Best location to LAX
"Great quick stay - most convenient hotel to the airport! This is our go-to for LAX"

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Venice Breeze Suites
Venice Breeze Suites
3.5 out of 5
2 Breeze Avenue, Venice, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,670 reviews)
"It was a great place! Right on the beach and things CONSTANTLY going on outside to enjoy. It’s in a busy area so not the quietest but completely manageable (we brought a noise machine & worked great for the noise) I had my 11 yr old daughter w/us and while it’s not exactly a child friendly area, ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

Venice Breeze Suites
Venice Suites
Venice Suites
3 out of 5
417 OceanFront Walk, Venice, CA
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,252 reviews)
"It was a very nice stay for the price. Right on the beach. Will go again."

Reviewed on 11 Jun. 2025

Venice Suites
Cute house a block to beach w/ two bikes pet friendly!
Cute house a block to beach w/ two bikes pet friendly!
Los Angeles
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Venice. Enjoy a beach locale, a fitness center, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Venice Beach and Santa ...
9/10 Wonderful! (22 reviews)
Best location
"Awesome spot, beach vibes, great home. Had everything we needed for a couple nights of Venice fun! Thanks!"

Reviewed on 28 May 2025

Cute house a block to beach w/ two bikes pet friendly!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Venice

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 28%
4 - Good
15
4 - Good 52%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 17%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 3%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great central place, calm, has a hipster style..

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Initially we didn’t have a good impression of Venice when we first arrived as it seemed dirty and there were shady looking people around but then it grew on us and we got used to it.

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller

The government really need to clean the streets. I noticed homeless making a mess of the area with their trash also this was not a safe place to be at night or even worse the day

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very economical

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Just one night stop over, didnt explore

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Crazy, busy, fun.

Cities near Venice