Venice Beach
Venice Beach
4.4
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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.
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4.4
1,352 reviews
Excellent
733
Very good
428
Average
139
Poor
38
Terrible
14
Steve Lind
Venice, FL15 contributions
Feb 2023
I have done thousands of swims here and it is one of my favorites. Excellent lifeguards (3 stations) and a very nicely taken care of beach. It is no wonder that there are several hotels overlooking the water. Most people come down for the Winter but I recommend the Summer because the water is SO nice and warm that you can stay in it for hours. Snack bar is immediately available right behind Lifeguard station. Parking is VERY accessible (but get there early on Holidays and weekends) Jetty is at the North end and Fourth of July Fireworks are a real treat here. Right on the other side of the jetty (technically in Nokomis) is "Fish Camp" where you can get bait, beer, soda, ice cream etc. And right next to that is a county park (Nicely taken care of) where you will find picnic tables and charcoal grills. Lots of boats entering and exiting the harbor and of course lots of fishing.
Written 8 February 2023
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.
Kirk Myelde
Plantagenet, Canada15 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is a great place to visit. The shore line is not developed with condos or hotels but has at the same time all the emmenities you need for your visit such as washrooms, parking, excellent road access, a fishing pier and an excellent restaurant. The biggest surprise was all parking is free. The beach is also recognized as the shark tooth capital of the world and for us it lived up to its name as we sifted 140 fossilized teeth in 3 hours. You can find teeth (and sea shells) by simply walking and looking but bringing some kind of sifter as it works much better.
Written 19 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.
Ladygrl
Pekin, IL413 contributions
Mar 2021 • Friends
The four days we spent in Venice, it was windy and cold so definitely not good beach weather. We did go one day when the sun was out and also a couple nights to see the sunset. We did not get to hunt for sharks teeth due to the weather and the water being so cold, but the beach and sunsets were beautiful.
Written 10 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.
Chelsea N
1 contribution
May 2024 • Couples
My fiance and I frequent this beach since we live in the area. Yesterday, 5/5/24, we went to walk along the beach and to catch the sunset. We parked near the outdoor shower this time and we were disgusted with what we saw. There was a boy about 7 years old running around naked which was not only disgusting but we both immediately felt uncomfortable. The mother did not care, Venice beach is not a nude beach, the outdoor shower is for rinsing, and what makes a mother think that having her son run around with his penis out acceptable? My fiance and I would not allow our children to do that. We continued to have a relaxing time on the beach and when we were done we wanted to use the outdoor shower to rinse off our sandy feet.
Again, another mother had her 2 year old son showering naked in the outdoor shower for the whole world to see. No one went near the shower because it was uncomfortable seeing a 2 year old's penis. The mother was taking her sweet time too. My fiance was becoming paranoid about being labeled as a pedophile for being in a public place where small children were running around with their penises out in a non-nude beach area. We both wanted to wash our feet but we left to avoid being mixed up in any type of situation. This place immediately became disgusting for us but if you're into seeing little children naked, then this is the spot for you. Whoever is in charge of the beach needs to put up a sign that states no nude children.
Worst case scenario, if someone were to take photos of the nude children here, that person would be arrested. Yet it is open/public area that is non-nude and the mothers seem to not care. So who should really be at fault?!
Again, another mother had her 2 year old son showering naked in the outdoor shower for the whole world to see. No one went near the shower because it was uncomfortable seeing a 2 year old's penis. The mother was taking her sweet time too. My fiance was becoming paranoid about being labeled as a pedophile for being in a public place where small children were running around with their penises out in a non-nude beach area. We both wanted to wash our feet but we left to avoid being mixed up in any type of situation. This place immediately became disgusting for us but if you're into seeing little children naked, then this is the spot for you. Whoever is in charge of the beach needs to put up a sign that states no nude children.
Worst case scenario, if someone were to take photos of the nude children here, that person would be arrested. Yet it is open/public area that is non-nude and the mothers seem to not care. So who should really be at fault?!
Written 6 May 2024
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.
Debbie J
Underwood, IA102 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Nice beach to hang out on. We walked several miles of it. It was fairly clean. The sand isn't the soft sand like there is at Clearwater Beach. Parking was at a premium but we managed to find a place in a residential area a couple of blocks away. They was a small carryout restaurant that sold burgers and hotdogs. It's worth coming to.
Written 17 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.
Stanley H
colorado289 contributions
Jul 2021
Week of July 29 dead fish and smell and eye irritation at beach, when will this ever come under control. Some of it is a natural cause but much of it is caused by contaminates from fertilizer. I was here when the last big Red Tide was in the area and it was disgusting, beaches unusable and the whole of the downtown smelled as well as inland for several miles. Now it has arrived again and the beach is littered with dead fish and smell. The beach is fine when clean but now and often during the summer it is a mess. When you go by the parking lot and few cars are there just turn around as the red tide is present. Suggest going to the East coast where there is no red tide and water is clear and warm. Research you vacation spot for Red Tide.
Written 29 July 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.
denver88
66 contributions
Aug 2021
Red tide, ugh. The smell this August has been disgusting and so has the presence of dead fish and eye irritation and coughing. Stay away for now. Florida doesn't seem to have the interest in resolving these level of red tide that make beaches unusable. Vacation elsewhere such as the East coast. The smell is awful. Seems as though the local government tries to downplay the severity as do restaurants (which some of them have closed for now during this week of Aug 23, 2021). This has been going for years and ruining folks vacations so consider changing your travel plans to go elsewhere. The smell at Englewood Beach, Manasota Key and Venice Beach is to the level of a sewer. For me and many other, this has ruined and wasted our vacation
Written 27 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.
justadeva
12 contributions
Feb 2025 • Family
Great beach! Beats Siesta by far. That beach has back to back traffic for miles during off hours during February break. Go here instead for less crowds. Here you can rent fishing poles and seashell grabbers! Closer walk to beach from the parking too.
Written 27 February 2025
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.
Mitch B
Saint Cloud, FL14 contributions
May 2021
This beach is a nice beach. There is a building just off Venice Ave that has outdoor showers to rinse, and restrooms.
Never had an issue finding parking, and there was plenty of space for people to enjoy the beach without feeling crowded.
Sunsets were absolutely beautiful. I really enjoy the way a sunset brings a community together.
Never had an issue finding parking, and there was plenty of space for people to enjoy the beach without feeling crowded.
Sunsets were absolutely beautiful. I really enjoy the way a sunset brings a community together.
Written 15 May 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.
RHtravels
Rocky Hill, CT856 contributions
Mar 2021
We saw a beautiful sunset here and the beach is exactly as I remember it from 7-8 years ago when I last visited. We were lucky to get parking about an hour before the sunset. The beach was clean and we enjoyed walking around a little before enjoying the beautiful sunset. We tried to find some sharks teeth but did not find any full sharks teeth, however there are many small black pieces of sharks teeth within the sand, If you go during the day, arrive early to secure a parking spot. There are bathroom facilities at the beach, as well as a snack bar/restaurant. This is a lovely beach to visit if you are in the area. We also visited Caspersen Beach years ago and found many sharks teeth there, but did not have time to visit this time.
Written 14 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.
Has anyone found very many sharks teeth lately ?
Written 23 February 2024
I noticed the sand drops very steeply at Venice Beach. Are there beaches nearby, in the Veince area that have more gently sloping sand?
Written 19 July 2023
As best as I can answer I think that depends on the coastline and the movement of the surrounding water. I honestly do not know of any scientific answer. And I have not recognized a pattern. To the best of my knowledge it is indeterminate.
Written 21 July 2023
Is there still a drum circle gathering at Venice Beach? What day[s|. parking available?
Written 17 June 2023
Do they have changing rooms?
Written 26 December 2022
mike g
Sarasota, Florida
I woould like 2 know where I can find an inexpensive tent site within 100 miles of venice, florida?
Written 9 July 2022
Can you rent beach chairs at Venice beach?
Written 8 October 2020
Sorry we took our own chairs . I don’t recall seeing any were we where located. But I am sure some of the hotels offer chair rental services.
Have a great trip ☀️☀️☀️
Written 26 October 2020
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