Welcome to Venice
A lively, bohemian beach town on the westside of Los Angeles.
Venice is one of the hippest neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area, known for hyperlocal attractions such as the free-spirited Venice Boardwalk filled with funky shops and street performers and Muscle Beach. The Venice canals are nearby, too.
Venice was founded by wealthy developer Abbot Kinney in 1905 as a beach resort town. Originally called Venice of America, it is located just south of Santa Monica. The area lives up to its name with canals, a pleasure pier, a salt-water plunge, and Venetian architecture.
With a population of more than 35,000, Venice is one of the best places to live in California. It has pretty much everything needed for an active lifestyle, including the beach, parks, a skate park, and a wide variety of foodie hotspots and trendy shops.
What to Love
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Muscle Beach Venice is the contemporary title of the outdoor weightlifting platform modeled after the original Santa Monica location.
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Venice Boardwalk is a world-famous beachside promenade with street performers, bodybuilders, shops, and eateries.
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The Win-dow is a food takeaway spot with reasonably priced menu items.
People & Lifestyle
Because of its popularity and many attractions, Venice has become one of the most expensive places to live in Los Angeles. The median home value is well over $1.5 million, and renting a two-bedroom apartment can cost $5,000 a month.
Cost aside, Venice is one of the most unique places to live in California. It’s hard to find another spot with such an active lifestyle, wealth of activities, and so many options for eating, drinking, and shopping. Also—the people-watching is among the best in L.A.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
There are a dizzying number of eateries in Venice. The best way to narrow them down is to visit Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a mile-long road lined with restaurants, shops, and galleries, or stroll up and down the Venice Boardwalk.
Gjelina on Abbot Kinney has become one of L.A.’s most iconic restaurants, with its modern American menu.
The Butcher’s Daughter offers mostly vegan items.
Things to Do
Venice ranges from artsy to bohemian to idyllic. To get the real vibe, head to Venice Boardwalk for people-watching and browsing the many shops.
For a quieter side of the community, check out the Venice Canals with its charming beach houses and arching pedestrian bridges. You’ll even see ducklings and paddle boarders.
Other classic Southern California activities include surfing, swimming, and skateboarding right at the beach.
Schools
The Venice area is home to a number of excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
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Westminster Avenue Elementary School, Grades K-5
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Coeur d’Alene Avenue Elementary School, Grades K-5, highly rated public school
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Venice High School, Grades, 9-12, Public secondary school
