Venice Beach - Los Angeles

Oh, beautiful Venice Beach, how you have delighted us once again! We spent almost a whole week in Los Angeles, and this time our accommodation was in Venice Beach. This neighborhood completely captivated us. If we return to Los Angeles, we would definitely choose to stay here again.

The vastness of Los Angeles essentially requires a car. Without one, it's difficult to get around from point A to point B. Unfortunately, there is only poorly developed public transportation, and when the locals themselves recommend avoiding it, there's probably a good reason for that.

Given this, it's almost impossible to recommend a neighborhood from which everything can be conveniently reached. But if we had to choose where it was the most beautiful, we would always say: in Venice by the beach.

What convinced us so much, we have written down here for you and hope to spark the same enthusiasm in you.

L.A. is full of street art. If you check out the Mural Map for Los Angeles, you will find colorful images scattered across the entire city map. An above-average density of street art can be found in Venice Beach. And as we found out, not all artworks are even listed on the map. But particularly in Venice Beach, we are surprised by the murals both in small alleys and on main thoroughfares.

We couldn't stop marveling. In the afternoon, we even set out again to take more photos. This variety of colors is simply unique and incredibly fun to explore.

Our tip: Download the Mural Map or just embark on a spontaneous discovery tour; the next artwork is surely not far away.

In 1905, artificial canals were created by Abbot Kinney, the founder of Venice, to represent his personal 'Venice in America.' You could even ride gondolas through the small canals. Unfortunately, due to the steadily increasing car traffic, the canals were filled in just 25 years later. Only a small part remains preserved today.

In the 1990s, the canals were renovated at great expense, and now the houses along the water are among the most expensive in the area. Since 1982, the canals have even been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. To explore them on foot, best orient yourself between South Venice Blvd., Pacific Avenue, Ocean Avenue, and Washington Blvd.

American food is unhealthy, monotonous, and makes you gain weight. That is roughly the stereotype one has of American cuisine. However, this is not true at all in Venice or California. Here, where body culture plays a significant role, this is also reflected in the restaurants and cafes.

Venice is a true foodie mecca. The Mexican influences bring the best tacos, enchiladas, and burritos to the area. But food from Peru, Italy, or Japan has also found its place here. The obligatory bowl for breakfast can be found in every café and healthy snacks appear on many menus here.

You just have to decide what you want to snack on first. But don't worry, you can also get a good burger or a juicy steak in Venice.

Cali, as it's beautifully called, is generally known for its relaxed vibes. You definitely can't compare California to the rest of America. Especially Venice has its own unique flair. The influence of many artists and free spirits is still felt today. It makes Venice and Marina Del Rey a melting pot for art, culture, and diversity.

Here, we felt significantly more relaxed than in the rest of the city. Compared to the rest of L.A., there was little traffic away from the main streets. Everyone was traveling by bicycle, skateboard, or e-scooter. The average age was very young, and all the people were incredibly friendly and open. We felt right at home. And although we often found L.A. to be very loud and hectic, in Venice, we found a small island of peace.

In Venice, we made great tours, walked a lot, and absorbed all the Cali vibes.

Check out the best tours for Los Angeles here

Symbolic of Venice are undoubtedly the skaters and surfers. Venice is right by the sea, at the famous Venice Beach. Venice Beach is the 4.5 km long sandy beach along the coast. Here, the California lifestyle unfolds.

At Muscle Beach, bodies are trained while onlookers can watch the bodybuilders. For basketball fans, there are various hoops to practice their shooting technique. Probably the most exciting is the skate park. There, boys and girls of all ages roll over the concrete and try out backflips and other skate tricks.

Grab a cool drink and enjoy the show. Maybe you'll even catch a glimpse of famous skater Sky Brown, who often stops by here.

The Boardwalk is the promenade along Venice Beach. Stores and restaurants line the path, and there's plenty to see. At first glance, we were a bit skeptical. This is supposed to be good here?! Luckily, we were proven wrong. You can find a few real treats right on the Boardwalk.

For example, the sausage stand by Jody Maroni. We came across his sausages on our food tour through Venice. Be sure to try the chicken apple sausages; they are truly a delight.

We actually wanted to accomplish something important, and then we went shopping. Right around the corner from our accommodation was a surf & skate shop with great streetwear. Before we knew it, we had found 2 pairs of shoes, a sweater, and 2 t-shirts a new home.

And so it can continue in Venice. Around the Boardwalk, you can discover small shops at every corner encouraging you to shop. The big department stores are hard to find here; instead, there are many skate shops, second-hand stores, and unique small boutiques.

Are you looking for a good location near the airport? Then head to Venice.

Depending on traffic, it only takes about 30 minutes from the airport to Venice Beach. This can be a real argument, especially if you have an early flight. Anyone who has experienced traffic in Los Angeles will agree; it is simply unpredictable, and a few kilometers can quickly become a test of patience.

To the north, Venice borders Santa Monica with the famous Santa Monica Pier. Here, you will also find the small amusement park that has appeared in several films. In Santa Monica, you will also find the famous houses right on the beach with a private terrace offering ocean views.

If you want to head towards Beverly Hills as well, Venice is also a good choice. The average distance between Venice and Beverly Hills is 30 minutes outside of rush hour.

We booked our accommodation through Airbnb (airbnb plus). You can find it right here.

Venice has stolen our hearts. Los Angeles was my dream destination, while Philip and Katrin weren't so keen on the city. But Venice did us good; we had a charming accommodation not far from the sea and felt right at home there. Venice exceeded all expectations, and I can personally say that I will definitely return.

With ample time, a big appetite, and a decent budget for shopping, I want to absorb even more of this vibe, meet people who live here, and experience the California lifestyle. Thank you, Venice, you have completely won us over and catapulted Los Angeles into my personal top travel destinations.