Venice Beach
Venice Beach: the back story
The back story
About Venice Beach: the back story
Venice was founded by Abbot Kinney in the early 20th century as a seaside resort with canals. Today its boardwalk, canals and Abbot Kinney Boulevard draw visitors from around the world.
The boardwalk
Ocean Front Walk has street performers, Muscle Beach, the skatepark and murals.
The canals
The surviving canals are a quiet residential district with footbridges.
A few blocks separate the bustle of the boardwalk from the calm of the canals.
Abbot Kinney
Abbot Kinney Boulevard is lined with independent boutiques and restaurants such as Gjelina.
Our advice: come in the morning for the canals and the boardwalk, and stay for sunset at a rooftop.
Why it's on our list
- The boardwalk
- The canals
- Abbot Kinney
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Venice Beach: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Venice Beach: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Venice Beach Boardwalk0.6 miWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Santa Monica Pier2.0 miWalk 40 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Getty Center5.7 miCycle 37 minCar or taxi 23 min
- Rodeo Drive6.3 miCycle 40 minCar or taxi 25 min
- LACMA7.8 miCar or taxi 30 min
- The Grove8.2 miCar or taxi 31 min
- TCL Chinese Theatre10 miCar or taxi 38 min
- Hollywood Bowl11 miCar or taxi 40 min
- Griffith Observatory13 miCar or taxi 46 min
- Walt Disney Concert Hall13 miCar or taxi 47 min