The Beach

Venice, California may bare the name of an Italian city but comparing it to that European location is like comparing apples and oranges.  Though the California beach community located in the Santa Monica Bay between Marina del Rey and Santa Monica has canals and  was created as the Venice-of-America in 1905, it is Southern California to the core. Best known throughout the world as a setting for films such as SPEED with Sandra Bullock,  BREATHLESS with Richard Gere and the popular BAYWATCH television series, this Venice has a long tradition and romance with the movie industry.  Venice Pier, Muscle Beach and artwork are some things that locals enjoy. 

Location, location - with several film studios located in the city and numerous others nearby, Venice streets, beaches, canals and people have been used in hundreds of films during the past century.  Mary Pickford rowed down a canal, Our Gang of little rascals played around the pier and for a time, filming nearly brought commerce to a halt.  In a land where film production is commerce, however, local sentiment to move the crews out of town did not  last and today, it's business as usual and on location in Venice. Through the years, films and popular TV series such as THE FUGITIVE, GET SMART, SIMON & SIMON, CHIPS and the A-TEAM have done location work in Venice.

For regular folks who just want to see what all the fuss is about, weekends draw all sorts of unique talent to the 1.5 mile beach and boardwalk. Artists, acrobats and actor wannabees co-mingle and strut their stuff in the spot recently named by one magazine as "Funky Town". For those who prefer less crowds and a leisurely pace, the photos above were taken on a week day. There were only a handful of people on the beach,  bicyclists and skaters passed  by the pier at regular intervals and the outdoor cafes quickly accommodated luncheon guests.

Though Muscle Beach was once synonymous with Venice, the smell of sweat has been subdued as coconut suntan oil and sea breezes titillate the senses now. There is still a workout pit, but the words we've heard repeated time after time are, "They've cleaned it up."  Venice appears as friendly and family oriented as any beach along several hundred miles of Southern California coast. 

Traffic and parking can become a bit intense on busy weekends.  There is pay parking at the Venice Pier lot at the end of Washington Street, limited street parking and also shuttles that travel regularly from remote lots to the beach. Though houses line the streets along the beach, they are compacted along narrow alleys with garages used for residents' needs. It is possible to park for free on city streets but you should be prepared to walk a few blocks, at least.   

Like most Southern California beaches, expect mild climate and cool, evening breezes (lightweight jacket recommended). You'll hardly feel a sunburn because the weather is so nice, but be forewarned that the sand and water act as reflectors and can cause burning within minutes, especially on babies' skin and fair skinned children and adults. The water temperature generally ranges between the 50's in the winter and high 60's in the warmer months of July to November.   

Declared the "Skating Capitol of the World" in past years, activities at Venice Beach include roller blading and skating, bicycling, surfing, swimming, sunbathing, shopping, dining and sailing from Marina del Rey. If you happen to be in Venice in December, there's an old fashioned boat parade along the canals.   

Located just 15 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Venice Beach is a great place to stay if you are seeking a location close to the airport within reach of many attractions.  While there are only 6 or 7 hotel properties in Venice, you can also stay in Marina del Rey or choose from over 25 hotels and resorts in Santa Monica.  

Venice Beach got its name from developer Abbot Kinney, who hoped to create an American version of Venice, Italy. Shedding its past and former title of Rancho la Ballona in 1905, the new community had guidelines for building which included an architectural style inspired by the Venetian Renaissance.

The Pier

Venice Pier, the 1310 foot wonder that's survived storms, weathering and a few earthquakes during its current lifespan (built in 1997), was reopened in 2006 after yet another devastating blow had closed it due to structural concerns.

People love fishing in L.A. You don't have to know what you are doing, and you don't have to catch anything. But you do have to maintain an attitude that being outdoors in the Southern California weather is just fine. The Venice Pier actually provides areas that wheelchairs can pull up comfortably to fish, in fact.

When you speak of the Venice Pier, you need to explain which one you are referring to. Florida has a Venice Pier, as well, and though it is just over half the length of the L.A. version, anglers like to fish on it, as well. Venice Pier in California is one of over 30 municipal and regional fishing piers that visitors can enjoy for strolling, and free fishing, unless the pier specifies with signage that it is not a free fishing pier. (Most that aren't will state that a California State fishing license is required.)  Venice is fairly representative of so much of the Southern California coast.  Oil was discovered and for a time, derricks dotted the landscape and skyline.  Three piers were built during the time that builders had to convince people to move to the beach.  Like its neighbor to the south (Naples, a neighborhood of Long Beach), Venice was designed with pleasure in mind.  It was supposed to be like an Italian city with all the romance of canals, boats, gondolas, hotels, amusements and joy. 

Within view of the Venice Pier is Santa Monica Pier to the north. A public parking lot next to the pier that charges a flat rate, street parking throughout the neighborhoods and blocks away are your options in this area. On clear days you can gaze at and enjoy the stunning Santa Monica mountains. Closer and in view are surfers that ply the open waters surrounding the pier. And to the south is the Marina del Rey harbor. For a day of piers, check out Venice Pier, Santa Monica Pier and Malibu Pier. That should could busy for a few hours.  The Santa Monica Pier has several restaurants where you can grab a sit-down, ocean view meal.

Venice Pier, Washington Blvd. and Ocean Walk Front (Boardwalk), Venice, CA 90291. Pier is open daily.

The Canals

The canals are now a quaint upscale neighborhood in Venice. Fully restored and remodeled homes make it a postcard scene along the canal shores. Venice California originally was to be a copy of Venice, Italy, canals and all. Few of the original canals remain today.

The original 16 miles of canals were dug in 1904 under the direction of Abbot Kinney. Man and mule worked around the clock to dig the canals in time for the grand opening of Venice on July 4, 1905. Kinney was displeased with the progress so he deployed steam dredging equipment to complete the canals on time.

When Venice of America was first conceived by Kinney, life was literately in the horse and buggy age. By the twenties, the automobile had made its mark and was here to stay. The canals were not practical for the horseless carriage. In 1929 the majority of the canals were filled in and converted to roads.

As real estate prices sky-rocketed in the late seventies, the houses along the canals were remodeled and homes were built on the numerous vacant lots. Soon the affluent home owners replaced the artists and Bohemians. In 1994 after nearly thirty years of talks, Los Angeles refurbished the six remaining canals for $6,000,000. Some of the most beautiful homes on Los Angeles’ West Side line the canals maintaining a unique community atmosphere. The canals today provide a sense of serenity that Venetians and tourists alike greatly appreciate.

Digging the canals in 1904 was back breaking work