11 Chill Things to Do in Venice Beach, CA

Spending Time in Venice Beach: What to Do

Take a Walk on the Venice Fishing Pier

Head west on Washington Boulevard until it ends at the Venice Beach parking lot, and you’ll run right into the Venice Fishing Pier. It’s open to the public, and no fishing license is needed if you feel like casting a line.

The pier stretches out into the Pacific, making for a relaxing walk with ocean views. On a clear day, you might spot Santa Monica or the Palos Verdes peninsula in the distance. It’s also a great place to watch surfers trying to catch waves near the pier.

Just a heads-up—it can get pretty windy out there, so bring a light layer.

Tour Idea:
Private Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach [book tour]

Rent a Bike and Ride from Venice Beach to Santa Monica Pier

One of the best ways to soak up the coast is by biking from Venice Beach to the Santa Monica Pier along the Marvin Braude Trail—locals call it The Strand. This scenic beachside path stretches 22 miles in total, but the most popular (and manageable) ride is the stretch between Venice and Santa Monica.

You’ll pedal alongside the Pacific the entire way, with ocean views that make it feel like something out of a postcard.

Bike rental shops are easy to find near Washington Boulevard, the Venice Fishing Pier, and the North Venice parking lot. Just pick up a bike and hop on the trail—it’s all right there.

Take a Casual Stroll Along Venice Beach Boardwalk (Ocean Front Walk)

The Ocean Front Walk stretches from Playa del Rey and runs past the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Spending the afternoon strolling this path is a classic way to experience Venice. It’s dog-friendly too—just keep your pup leashed (though dogs aren’t allowed on the beach itself).

If you start near the pier entrance at Washington Boulevard, the vibe is much more relaxed. You’ll walk through a residential stretch of Venice, passing small hotels and beach homes. The salty air, the hum of bikes and roller skates flying by—it’s a nice intro to the neighborhood.

Once you cross North Venice Boulevard, things shift. You’ve officially entered the Venice Beach Boardwalk, where it gets loud, colorful, and unpredictable. You’ll come across musicians, street performers, vendors, and plenty of people watching. Just a heads-up: some of it might not be kid-friendly—I’ll let you be the judge.

This is also where the air starts to take on a certain… herbal quality.

Stay alert while exploring—there’s a lot happening at once, and it’s easy to get caught up in the crowd.

Explore the Venice Canals

Did you know Venice Beach has actual canals? Just a short detour off Ocean Front Walk—before you reach North Venice Boulevard—you’ll find the Venice Canal Historic District, one of the more unexpected and peaceful spots in the area.

You can enter the canals from 25th, 27th, or 29th Avenue off Pacific Avenue. Street signs mark the way, so keep an eye out during your walk.

These canals are a glimpse into what Venice was like when it was a resort town more than a century ago. Inspired by Venice, Italy, this area was once much larger than it is today. Now, it’s a quiet neighborhood of charming bridges, calm water, and beautiful homes, some with Italian-style touches, others classic Craftsman.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990, the Venice Canals are a local landmark and definitely worth visiting while you’re here.

Tour Option: Venice Boardwalk & Canals Walking Tour [book tour]

Check out Muscle Beach

Right along the boardwalk, you’ll find Muscle Beach—the world-famous outdoor gym known for its weightlifting and bodybuilding scene. It’s one of those Venice Beach landmarks you can’t really miss.

These days, you’ll see all kinds of people working out, though plenty of seriously muscled regulars still show up to lift. It’s most active during the day, so that’s the best time to stop by if you want to catch the action.

Take a Photo of the Famous Venice Beach Sign

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Just past Muscle Beach, take a quick detour east from the boardwalk onto Windward Avenue. Hanging above the intersection of Windward and Pacific is the iconic Venice sign—one of the most photographed spots in the area.

While it nods to the original that hung here in the early 1900s when Venice was its own city, the current version was installed in 2007 and has become a symbol of the neighborhood.

Watch the Action at Venice Skatepark

Once you see the palm trees covered in graffiti, you’re close. Venice Skatepark sits right along the Ocean Front Walk, just west of Market Street, and it’s one of California’s most iconic skate spots.

Built in 2009, the skatepark has become a favorite stop along the boardwalk. It’s packed with bowls, ramps, and rails that attract everyone from local teens to pro skaters—and yes, Tony Hawk has been known to show up.

Even if you don’t skate, it’s worth stopping to watch. The energy is contagious, and the talent on display is seriously impressive.

Have a Picnic at the Beach

Pack a picnic or grab something to-go from a nearby spot and enjoy it right on the sand. On a sunny day, there’s nothing better than stretching out by the shore, listening to the waves, and watching boats drift along the horizon.

The boardwalk might be buzzing, but the beach itself is wide enough that you can usually find a quiet spot away from the noise.

And yes, you can swim at Venice Beach. Personally, I find the Pacific a little too cold—but plenty of people are out in swimsuits when the sun’s shining.

Don’t Miss the Venice Pride Flag Lifeguard Tower

You’ll spot the rainbow-painted Venice Pride Flag Lifeguard Tower just north of the skatepark. It was painted in 2017 by artist Patrick Marston in partnership with Venice Pride and stands as a colorful symbol of love, acceptance, and support for the LGBTQ community.

It’s become one of the most popular photo spots on Venice Beach—and it’s easy to see why.

Stroll Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Abbot Kinney Boulevard is one of the most well-known streets in Venice—often called the “Bohemian Rodeo Drive.” It’s stylish, creative, and laid-back all at once. The boulevard runs diagonally from Washington to Venice Boulevard and is named after the neighborhood’s founder.

You’ll find a mix of curated boutiques, art galleries, home goods shops, and a growing number of coffee spots and eateries. The storefronts are bold and colorful, with everything from sidewalk racks of Venice-branded tees to sleek design studios and oversized sunglasses mounted above the doors (yes, really).

Fair warning: you might pay $10 for that latte—but it’ll probably be one of the better ones you’ve had.

By midday, the street is buzzing, and by night, food trucks line the blocks. It’s easy to spend a good chunk of time here browsing, sipping, and snacking.

Keep an Eye Out for Street Art

As you explore Venice and the boardwalk, you’ll spot street art just about everywhere—from full-wall murals to colorful touches on buildings and even the sidewalks. Art is woven into the fabric of this neighborhood, and it’s hard to miss.

Many of the murals change over time, so there’s always something new to see as you wander through.

Make a Reservation to Visit the Mosaic Tile House

If you’re planning a Saturday in Venice Beach, try to snag a reservation to see the Mosaic Tile House. This private home, owned by artists Cheri Pan and Gonzalo Duran, has been transformed into a vibrant work of art—inside and out—covered entirely in hand-laid mosaic tiles.

It’s one of the more unique and creative things to do in Venice Beach, but visits are by reservation only and limited to Saturdays.

💵 Cost: $20 per adult
📅 Reservations required: [click here for more info]

Where to Park at Venice Beach?

One of the biggest questions when visiting Venice Beach is: where do you park? We usually aim for one of the two main public parking lots, depending on what we’re planning to do that day.

Washington Boulevard Lot: This lot puts you right by the Venice Fishing Pier. From here, you can explore the pier and take a quieter stroll through the residential stretch of the boardwalk. It’s a bit of a longer walk to reach the main promenade, but it’s ideal if you’re also planning to visit the Venice Canals.

North Venice Boulevard Lot: If you want to be dropped into the heart of Venice Beach, this is the lot to aim for. You’ll be steps from the boardwalk, street performers, shops, and everything Venice is known for. If you’re short on time and want the full Venice experience, this lot makes the most sense.

Cost: We’ve paid around $9 on weekends and as low as $5 on slower days. Prices can vary, so be prepared for changes.

Private Parking: You’ll spot private lots as you drive into the area—some right near the boardwalk—but expect to pay quite a bit more. It’s convenient but not cheap.

Street Parking: If you get lucky and find legal street parking nearby, take it! Just double-check the signs since restrictions are common in this area.

Where to Eat in Venice, CA

It wouldn’t be a tasty itinerary without mentioning a few spots to eat in Venice. Restaurants and cafés come and go, but there are some places that always hit the mark.

If you’re sticking close to the boardwalk, grab a drink at High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin—it’s the only rooftop bar in Venice Beach and a great spot at sunset. Next to Small World Books, the Sidewalk Cafe is a long-time tourist favorite for casual beachside eats.

Wander a bit off the boardwalk, and you’ll find a few gems worth the detour:

Scopa Italian Roots

One of our favorite restaurants in all of LA. We’ve been coming here since it opened, and it still reminds us of the old-school Italian food we grew up with in New York. The rice balls are always a must, and brunch on the weekends is fantastic too.

Scopa Italian Roots is one of our favorite restaurants in all of LA. We’ve been coming here since it opened, and it still reminds us of the old-school Italian food we grew up with in New York. The rice balls are always a must, and brunch on the weekends is fantastic, too.