Venice Beach and Boardwalk, Los Angeles

Venice Beach is a wonderful place for children and adults. It allows parents the luxury of watching young and older children frolic in the water right in front of them. It also provides a variety of entertainment such as skaters, basketball games, gymnastic performers, musical talent, and magicians at times. Bike and scooter rentals are offered at a minimal fee. A variety of eateries are provided along the sand line . Parking requires a minimal search for that "perfect" parking space... Unfortunately the public restrooms leave a lot to be desired. If you're going to utilize the restrooms, travel toilet seat covers are recommended.

This was a wonderful experience with the Wife. Very relaxed, comfortable, enjoyable & entertaining atmosphere. If you want to go to a nice beach & have a wonderful day go to Venice Beach. You'll definitely enjoy yourself. There's enough comedy for you to enjoy watching the different acts to watching a quick pick up game of basketball. Venice Beach looks just way its advertised on TV shows & movies.

I’m there about every weekend. Absolutely love it. So many shops, interesting people, and stuff to do. Even if you’re down to walk a little bit the Santa Monica pier is the next beach north. It’s a bit of a walk but rent some bikes or something. It’s an experience you won’t get from most other beaches. There’s always something going on. Boardwalk food is of course ridiculously overpriced but there are some decent restaurants. I’d personally recommend waiting to have a nicer dinner in town a bit more or eating a good lunch and packing snacks because even a corn dog meal will run you roughly $11

Venice by name, but definitely not by nature. The beach is beautifully sandy and the sea warm with big waves. There is also lots of grass and palm trees behind the beach. However, the strip of shops behind that is decidedly shoddy. Lots of dingy shops simply sell lots of rubbish that you simply wouldn't want: it doesn't even appeal to tourists. There are lots of tatty shops, and very few food shops at all. On the plus side there is a good shop that sells pizza slices and an excellent Ben & Jerry's, but that's essentially it (apart from a large cafe with a long queue outside). There are lots of people pestering you with leaflets. There is also a long cycle road that runs between the grass and the sand. This is great for cyclists, but a danger to anyone who wants to cross. There are no designated crossings, and cyclists dash past in large groups, which makes crossing very hazardous. There are several police cars and fire engines parked, but no police presence at all. All day (11 to 4 for me on a Saturday) there was a plane flying above the sea advertising cannabis on a big banner, which wasn't very appealing to me as a tourist. Won't return, and definitely wouldn't recommend.

As an east coast visitor this place is amazing. Period. There are tons of people watching to do. I saw some pot shops (I think). We ate at one of the restaurants and the whole trip was wonderful. The street artists were abundant. If you get there and you aren’t from here, go ahead and expend the extra energy and walk to the Pacific Ocean just to say you’ve touched the water.