Riding our bikes from Abbot Kinney we reach the Venice Beach Boardwalk!
When you think of Southern California, this is the picture that comes to mind. A place filled with sun, sand, ocean, palm trees, buff surfers, joggers, skateboarders, … It has a very beachy and laid back vibe like I´ve never seen before! There are street performers, head shops, oceanfront sports facilities, and random urban art all along the stretch of the boardwalk and beyond. Love you Venice Beach!
If you are visiting Los Angeles- Venice Beach is worth visiting. It’s a must-see L.A. hotspot!
Here some of my fav things to do in Venice Beach:
Bike Riding
This is by far my fav location for bike riding because of the picturesque view of the boardwalk. It reminds me of riding down in Pacific Beach in San Diego, but it is more lively and hipster here. You will enjoy the ocean breeze while you are literally riding on the beach.
People watching
This is a great place for people-watching. There are tons of human ‘freaks’ and free entertainment. I like how they are expressing themselves in a natural state. Keep in mind they will ask for a tip if you try to snap a photo of them.
You are likely to see acrobats, musclemen, dancers on skates, musicians, and clowns just to name a few. It sounds odd I know and it is. Venice is certainly a spectacle!
The guitar man of the photo above is a street vendor dressed up. He seems to entertain people playing his electric guitar. However, if you try to take him a photo, he will not only not allow you to do it, but we will also try to sell you a T-shirt with his picture. Contradiction? In Venice Beach, the entertainment is not always that free! 🙂
On the boardwalk, you will even encounter a real Freakshow- it is creepy and wild. Here you will see all types of human freaks such as a bearded lady, a man with his entire face pierced and covered in body tattoos. There is also a guy who literally has all his face covered in facial hair (the wolf man). Honestly, I get queasy thinking of it. I don´t think its worth paying for the show, especially since you can get a glimpse from the boardwalk.
Although Venice Beach is a touristic and iconic place, like L.A. there is a problem with homelessness here. You will see lots of panhandlers holding cardboard signs and they are camping along the grassy areas next to the bike path. Throughout my visits, I have noticed the economic statuses are all mixed together here. For example, homeless tents are mixed with the upscale and oceanfront houses, and wealthy and fit people with great tans work out sharing the path with homeless people. Classism? Not a problem here.
Joshua Baca at Venice Beach, CA – 2015 by @elenacuevassShopping
Along the boardwalk, you will find yourself in a flea market-type vibe with plenty of places to eat, drink and shop. From vendors hawking all types of rare art and mass produced trinkets, to artists selling unique pieces of handcrafted art such as over-sized paintings or pop-up deco.
However, if you are not into artcraft and more down for a typical tourist-style T-Shirt or Californian style sunglasses, then Venice also is the place to be. In the same boardwalk, you will find a great variety of souvenir shops with dj’s playing disco music and very cheeky shop assistants. Be careful with the prices! You better pact before they stamp your print of choice in your souvenir T-shirt!
Sports
If you’re feeling active, you can play basketball, tennis, volleyball and even your training session with weights at the Venice Beach Recreation Center . Yes you can work out literally on the beach 🙂 And of course enjoy for photography lovers, you can enjoy shooting cool acrobatic postures!
For movies faves, the basketball courts at Venice Beach Recreation Center are also in famous films such as: American History X, White Men Can’t Jump, and Thirteen. Sometimes you will also spot some NBA and Laker´s players here!
While strolling don’t forget to stop by the iconic Muscle Beach. This is one of the places that made Venice Beach famous and Arnold Schwarzenegger used to work out here back in the day. You will still see some of the buffest people you have seen working out ever. Here I had my own personal trainer! 🙂
Filming
As I mentioned above and due to its proximity to Hollywood, Venice Beach is an iconic movie location. So while you walk around the boardwalk, you might see a crew filming a feature movie or even you can be interviewed on some live TV show.
Skateboarding
If you are a skateboarding fanatic, jump on to Venice’s skate park! One of the few skateparks located on a beach in the world. For avid photographers, this a must do in Venice Beach. You will enjoy shooting acrobatic guys with an outstanding oceanfront background!
Street Art
Once you get rid of the extra adrenaline, just chill out while you explore Venice’s sandy streets full of art. Strolling around the boardwalk, most of the main buildings have creative murals painted by local artists. At Venice Beach any place is a great art exhibitor!
Nearby by the skate park there are a famous art pieces such as the pillars full of colorful and trendy graffiti art that provides a great contrast to the sandy beach 🙂
Beach
Last but not least, Be sure to take some time to wind down and tan on the beach!
When the sun is going down this is one of the most beautiful places in L.A. for shooting. The sunset here is simply breathtaking!!
What’s not to love about Venice Beach!! I take a trip back here anytime I can. No matter how many times you go to Venice you literally never know what you will find out next.
Let´s keep exploring, the views is yours! 😉
traveling, shooting & learning 