Venice Beach Boardwalk
Venice Beach Boardwalk
4
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Anything and everything on this famous concrete strip - from hippies to skateboarders, you will see it all here.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Neighbourhood: Venice
Venice has always danced to its own beat as the epicenter of bohemian culture in Los Angeles. Along the boardwalk there are street performers and local craftsmen selling their wares. Original paintings, souvenirs, and jewelry are on display. Crowds of visitors marvel at the sites while weightlifting enthusiasts pump iron in plain view, and skateboarders do their tricks around the skate park. All of it happens under the warm California sun with sprawling views of sand and sea. Heading east, the main drags of Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Main Street are lined with boutique shops, some major retail stores, art galleries and restaurants. Here the ambiance is more relaxed and upscale than the frenetic boardwalk area. Venice is a mostly walkable (and certainly bikeable) neighborhood, full of areas to explore.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,996 reviews
Excellent
1,109
Very good
942
Average
554
Poor
218
Terrible
173
Ian P
Redondo Beach, CA34 contributions
May 2021
My wife and I used to come here since we were in high school together. For years we'd walk, eat at the food vendors, see the jugglers, magic acts, and beautiful beach sunsets. Now it's filthy!
Tents everywhere, the smell of urine is overwhelming and the filth is an embarrassment to our city.
I feel sorry for the residents who spent so much money to live in a once-perfect location.
Sadly, avoid this!
Tents everywhere, the smell of urine is overwhelming and the filth is an embarrassment to our city.
I feel sorry for the residents who spent so much money to live in a once-perfect location.
Sadly, avoid this!
Written 17 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed B
4 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Had a friend at work who lived in California in the 1980’s . He would talk about all the cool people showing off their talents The weight lifters and roller skaters . I always wanted to see it for myself. I wonder when it went downhill. Yes there was a large group of people practicing yoga and people playing sports and the skateboarders but that was all overshadowed by hundreds of mentally ill homeless people . We went to sit down to eat at a outdoor restaurant but the smell from a group of homeless men was overpowering. If you want to see it go early or not at all. California shame on you.
Written 20 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frenchiefastwaves
Montreal, Canada22 contributions
Nov 2022
When I came here in the 80's it was the best place i had ever seen. Cool, funky, crazy, everything I dreamed LA would be and more. By far tyhe best-people watching spot on earth I thought. I just went back this year. Its gone down the toilet, big time. There's homeless people all over, people with mental issues, it's dirty, it smells like weed everywhere....I was looking for a public bathroom, There's dirty beds and clothes in all the toilets where the bums have decided to stay! The city has totally lost control and I've heard its just getting worse everyday. Imagine those who have bought million dollar houses around there...I would sell everything as soon as I could. Don't waste your hard earned money in a hell hole like that. But Yeah, the beach is still beautiful.
Written 17 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cdn927
Whitby, Canada39 contributions
Feb 2020
We were visiting LA for the first time so I felt that Venice Beach was a necessity. I'd say the same almost anyone going to LA for the first time. Muscle Beach, the view out on the ocean, the shops. Cool for about 5 minutes. Then come the "musicians" selling CD's for donations. The homeless, the smell.... Like I said, was cool for a bit, then time to go.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie M
Pennsylvania103 contributions
Jul 2022
I went to Venice Beach with such high hopes... When googling best boardwalk in California , Venice Beach Boardwalk came up. In ALL of California...this is the best you have? I feel so bad for the people who own properties on this beach and paid millions and thousands in taxes just to have the homeless sleeping EVERYWHERE. We saw a woman just take off her top and walk around, people eating out the trash, crawling on the ground. Illegal drugs are being announced for sale and being sold right out in the open! The people watching is like nothing I ever experienced in my life. However the skate park was very entertaining, enjoyed that.
Written 2 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly M
Marina del Rey, CA53 contributions
Mar 2021
This was exactly as I expected. A diverse culture and all walks of life. I am giving it 4 stars because I was expecting what I saw. I was saddened to see the large amounts of homeless lining the boardwalk. However, they were not a problem. They never approached us and pretty much just stayed to themselves. I was a bit disappointed to see dog mess on sidewalks. If you bring your dog clean it up. I was also a bit frustrated at the amount of dogs not on leashes. These were not strays as they had owners close by. Lots of shops and plenty of places to grab a snack. With that said, I was a bit turned off at how dirty the store fronts were for the food. It made me not want to eat there but that was a personal preference. If you are looking to see the culture, history and enjoy people watching this is the place for you. If you want a clean, quiet place with few people then this is not for you.
Written 28 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stratosphere
London, UK142 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
This street is very attentive and charming and you can run into so many crazy and dizzy people along this boardwalk. But ıt is very funny. I liked so much. You can find a nice bars there and you can enjoy your time by drinking beer in venice.
Written 26 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holiday-view23-7-11
Basingstoke, UK1,805 contributions
Feb 2020
There is so much to see as you walk along the Boardwalk all sorts of shops and people. Everyone seems to be busy going somewhere either on foot; walking or running but you also see some on skateboards, bikes and even roller blades. It was areal experience and an eye opener too. Easy for people to walk along and suitable for all ages
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bx2L
Lexington, KY239 contributions
Nov 2019
The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a hip place to visit at any time of day. You have the beachgoers, outdoor people, and those that are just plain interesting. It's well worth a visit to grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and browse the interesting stores.
Written 28 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Priscilla C
San Diego, CA4 contributions
Apr 2021
First time here and never coming back. The boardwalk was filthy and smelled like urine. There’s a big homeless community living along the boardwalk in tents and they are starting to hoard old furniture and stuff which makes it look very unattractive. I do not recommend this place at all. I left the place feeling disgusted.
Written 6 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
According to the most recent guidelines, the Venice Beach area is open with limited activities. The boardwalk is open with access for curbside pickup of take out food.
I do not live in the LA county, but would expect the shops are limited to crowd size.
Written 17 January 2021
Hi, can anyone tell me what kind of weather to expect end of may begonning of june? I keep reading about low tempretures but see pictures of packed beaches and so and confused? any advice appreciated, Thanks
Written 22 June 2019
Hi Chris! It's a beautiful time of year to hang around the boardwalk! Lovely and warm, although one can't predict the wind. But on the whole, beautiful and sunny! Have a great trip!
Written 26 June 2019
Why is Venice Beach Boardwalk so great? Is there a better boardwalk in California other than this one? If so, which is the best?
Written 1 February 2018
As to boardwalks in California, most are not the same as our East Coast boardwalks with their amusement parks (think Coney Island). The closest is Santa Cruz which has an old fashioned amusement park.
Santa Monica is an open air street converted to pedestrian access with no ocean view. It is a success because of the crowds of walkers it attracts and its stores.
Venice has a totally different scene (a throwback to the 60's) with hucksters, tattoo parlors, Muscle Beach, homeless, a bike path, lots of local color (CSI LA films here a lot) and it is adjacent to the sand.
If you want ocean adjacent with a view of surfers then "C" Street in Ventura (it has a hotel) is much better.
Santa Barbara (accessible by Amtrac from LA or San Diego) is the place for a "quiet" walk and downtown can't be beat for its quaintness.
Written 1 February 2018
I am wanting to move to Venice Beach Area in about a year time, whats it like living around Venice beach?
I just looked on google to rent an apartment and it only comes up with accommodation, how can i find apartments to live in? How much money would I have to save to move over? $25,000?
Is it hard to find work in that area?
Written 10 January 2018
Are you a people person, enjoy "different" folks, or are you shy and reclusive? Venice attracts "unique" individuals. Apartment rents are among the highest in the state, a one bedroom can exceed $2,500/mo. depending on how close to the sand you are. Many listing services for apartments available.
Depending on your career work is not an issue, IT is the hot career.
Depends on where you are moving from, with or without a car; in country or out?
Written 1 February 2018
Is it suitable to visit during late December time ? Or is it too cold or even closed ?
And what are the best visit times during the day ?
Is it safe ?
Written 16 December 2017
December can be the coldest time of the year 60's - 70's but right now it is in the 80's!
9 - 5 is best and safest, after 5 best to stay near the pier of 3rd st.
Written 1 February 2018
Is it suitable to visit during late December time ? Or is it too cold or even closed ?
And what are the best visit times during the day ?
Is it safe ?
Written 16 December 2017
By English time it is still possible to wear shorts and kilts most all year round but the water temp will be in the 50's, full wetsuit temps.
Venice is open 365 days a year.
Safe is a relative term, alone or with others? As usual "it depends".
Written 1 February 2018
How do I get there by public transportation from The Hilton?
Written 18 January 2017
Which Hilton? We took uber pretty much everywhere when we stayed at The Beverly Hilton. Not too expensive, but this is one option. Google is a good choice too and sometimes your hotel can take you if it is within a certain mile radius. Just ask around and people will have all sorts of ideas for you.
Written 19 January 2017
I was hoping to spend the day at the beach before my evening flight. 2 questions, 1. is there anywhere I can rent a locker for my bag (just a small beach bag as my luggage will be at the hotel desk or in my car) while I surf? and 2. are there showers anywhere on the beach. Not just the ones where you hold the button to quickly rinse off, but to actually shower and wash my hair etc? Thanks for the help
Written 26 May 2016
You might be able to use the Muscle Beach Gym facilities. They probably have lockers and a shower. They're right on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. I think they have a per-day charge there.
Written 27 May 2016
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