Venice

Travel Guide
Venice
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 colourful neighbourhood 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 neighbourhood 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

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

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
Haven Coliving
Haven Coliving
1.5 out of 5
2478 Penmar Ave, Venice, CA
The price is RM531 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
RM531
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this capsule hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a bathtub or shower. Popular attractions Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (12 reviews)
"Always first is staff and James was so attentive and returned all texts immediately! Great guy.They are lucky to have him!! Now the home…Omg what a beautiful luxurious space and kitchen and living room. So inviting and conducive to meeting new people. Made a friend for life there. Price is great ..."

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2024

Haven Coliving
Lincoln Inn
Lincoln Inn
2 out of 5
2447 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM584 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
RM584
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this motel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier are located nearby. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (83 reviews)
"Everything was good! Hotel Inside was good and clean. The card to get inside the hotel wasnt working but it was an easy fix took less than five minutes."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Lincoln Inn
Air Venice on the Beach
Air Venice on the Beach
3 out of 5
5 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA
The price is RM722 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
RM722
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (1,011 reviews)
"Great location and it was really thoughtful that earplugs were provided sunce the restaurant across the street was noisy. The room was nice."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Air Venice on the Beach
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 Beach Vacation Condos
Venice Beach Vacation Condos
4 out of 5
52 Paloma Court, Venice, CA
Stay at this 4-star condo in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, a terrace, and a picnic area. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Venice ...
7.8/10 Good! (391 reviews)
"We stayed in the deluxe condo for three nights with our four kids ranging in age from 3-16. The condo had just enough space for our family. It was clean, comfortable, and we felt safe the entire trip. There were three tv’s which came in handy with four kids to entertain. The kitchen was equipped ..."

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2024

Venice Beach Vacation Condos
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 rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,489 reviews)
"Had a bed. It was near the beach"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

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 a terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,141 reviews)
Ocean View room the BEST
"We had an ocean view room which was excellent to truly experience Venice Beach beauty and excitement. The Suite was a little worn, as older buildings on the beachfront tend to get. However, with the portable heater it was comfortable, clean, and the staff was MOST helpful in helping us store our ..."

Reviewed on 19 Feb 2024

Venice Suites
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

Things to do

Reviews of Venice

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
10
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
9
" "4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Ken
7 Jan 2020

The canal area is worth a visit for a walk along the canals

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
8 Oct 2019

We where in Venice for 3 nights, out of everywhere in LA we enjoyed it the most.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
7 Oct 2019

Not as good as the last time we visited, the area appears to be run down and dirty with limited options to eat in the immediate vicinity.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Oct 2019

AmaZing area, best of LA

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 Apr 2019

Very nice area. It was a shame that the canals were fry.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
14 Dec 2018

My first ever time here so initial feelings are possibly biased. Took time adjusting to the idyllic location and homelessness side by side. Its beautiful but paradoxical. I enjoy walking so the distances to Santa Monica were no problem.