Megan’s Venice Beach guidebook
Neighborhoods
Venice Beach is the 2nd most popular destination in California after Disney Land, and for good reason. Gorgeous wide sandy beaches, palm trees, surfing, beach volleyball, a cycling culture, scooters, a storied art / surf / skate history, world famous shops & site seeing, top tier cuisine & a cultural heart beat that's full of grit, color & sass. Venice is eclectic & unique, with a vibrant night life, trend setting fashions & a laid back sea air that is intoxicatingly chill.
351 locals recommend
Venice
Venice Beach is the 2nd most popular destination in California after Disney Land, and for good reason. Gorgeous wide sandy beaches, palm trees, surfing, beach volleyball, a cycling culture, scooters, a storied art / surf / skate history, world famous shops & site seeing, top tier cuisine & a cultural heart beat that's full of grit, color & sass. Venice is eclectic & unique, with a vibrant night life, trend setting fashions & a laid back sea air that is intoxicatingly chill.
Food scene
This is the restaurant that put Abbot Kinney on the map, for those who didn't already know. Written up in GQ Magazine circa 2010, and the rest is history. Gjelina is now world famous, and features farm to table style culinary treats.
85 locals recommend
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney BlvdThis is the restaurant that put Abbot Kinney on the map, for those who didn't already know. Written up in GQ Magazine circa 2010, and the rest is history. Gjelina is now world famous, and features farm to table style culinary treats.
Recent location change from their original spot, this is a local French / Venice family owned spot that is a total scene for Venetians. Great atmosphere and vibes. Fun tip, you can buy paddle tennis rackets here if you find yourself wanting to go hit the ball around at the beach courts.
251 locals recommend
Zinqué
1440 Lincoln BlvdRecent location change from their original spot, this is a local French / Venice family owned spot that is a total scene for Venetians. Great atmosphere and vibes. Fun tip, you can buy paddle tennis rackets here if you find yourself wanting to go hit the ball around at the beach courts.
Popular local coffee spot with yummy breakfast sandwich, a short walk away.
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdPopular local coffee spot with yummy breakfast sandwich, a short walk away.
Good brunch / lunch spot, kid friendly, easy walk (go via Lindon and take the walk streets).
320 locals recommend
Superba Food + Bread
1900 Lincoln BlvdGood brunch / lunch spot, kid friendly, easy walk (go via Lindon and take the walk streets).
Gjusta
320 Sunset AvePopular lunch and coffee spot.
Celadon
13364 Washington BlvdGreat Thai delivery / take away spot that is reliable & fresh.
Definitely worth a visit. There's often a line out the door. Word to the (local) wise, to avoid the wait, go straight inside and select a tub from the freezer, buy cones and take it home. No wait required when buying a tub =)
189 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
1357 Abbot Kinney BlvdDefinitely worth a visit. There's often a line out the door. Word to the (local) wise, to avoid the wait, go straight inside and select a tub from the freezer, buy cones and take it home. No wait required when buying a tub =)
Delicious Asian food with great cocktails on the popular, buzzing, Rose Ave.
47 locals recommend
Wallflower
609 Rose AveDelicious Asian food with great cocktails on the popular, buzzing, Rose Ave.
Best breakfast burrito in Los Angeles. Cn call the order in and then cycle to collect. Get extra bacon =)
174 locals recommend
Flake
513 Rose AveBest breakfast burrito in Los Angeles. Cn call the order in and then cycle to collect. Get extra bacon =)
Cool scene, beach breeze, great eats... great spot for a meal. Known for their breakfast / lunch scene, but now open for dinner too.
84 locals recommend
Great White
1604 Pacific AveCool scene, beach breeze, great eats... great spot for a meal. Known for their breakfast / lunch scene, but now open for dinner too.
Delicious, authentic, actual Mexico City style eatery that also delivers awesome vibes. Lots of vegan / healthy options. Great cocktails and owned by a fabulous Venice local who happens to be your neighbor while you stay at La Playa!
17 locals recommend
Chulita
533 Rose AveDelicious, authentic, actual Mexico City style eatery that also delivers awesome vibes. Lots of vegan / healthy options. Great cocktails and owned by a fabulous Venice local who happens to be your neighbor while you stay at La Playa!
The new location for live music and entertainment home grown hub, this is an exciting add to the Venice scene. Great for music, comedy, dining, cocktails and the Venice scene.
7 locals recommend
Winston House
23 Windward AvenueThe new location for live music and entertainment home grown hub, this is an exciting add to the Venice scene. Great for music, comedy, dining, cocktails and the Venice scene.
Great bright and yummy vegan / vegetarian breakfast / lunch spot, that makes you forget you're not eating from a full menu. Lovely vibes.
175 locals recommend
The Butcher's Daughter
1205 Abbot Kinney BoulevardGreat bright and yummy vegan / vegetarian breakfast / lunch spot, that makes you forget you're not eating from a full menu. Lovely vibes.
Delicious share plates, mixologist bar tenders, a whiskey room (invite only speakeasy) and generally cool scene. A delicious meal out for sure.
260 locals recommend
Scopa Italian Roots
2905 Washington BlvdDelicious share plates, mixologist bar tenders, a whiskey room (invite only speakeasy) and generally cool scene. A delicious meal out for sure.
New and popular beach spot for eats and vibes. Over priced but worth a look in.
7 locals recommend
Belles Beach House
24 Windward AvenueNew and popular beach spot for eats and vibes. Over priced but worth a look in.
Small little restaurant on the Penmar Golf Course run by a Venice homegrown favorite. Great for meeting and brunch. Also home to a Wednesday night comedy night and other midweek happenings that feel super local.
The Penmar
1233 Rose AvenueSmall little restaurant on the Penmar Golf Course run by a Venice homegrown favorite. Great for meeting and brunch. Also home to a Wednesday night comedy night and other midweek happenings that feel super local.
Best, straight up, no frills, straight off the volleyball courts, burger and beer spot in town. Sawdust on the floor, live music, pool table, zero frills, cheap and a total Venice Beach classic.
318 locals recommend
Hinano Cafe
15 Washington BlvdBest, straight up, no frills, straight off the volleyball courts, burger and beer spot in town. Sawdust on the floor, live music, pool table, zero frills, cheap and a total Venice Beach classic.
Depending on the time of day, this is a great spot for a quiet lunch / drink off the beach, or a total scene (typically at sunset). Eitherway it's a lot of fun and great decor.
27 locals recommend
The Waterfront Venice
205 Ocean Front WalkDepending on the time of day, this is a great spot for a quiet lunch / drink off the beach, or a total scene (typically at sunset). Eitherway it's a lot of fun and great decor.
Great lunch spot on the actual waterfront walk in the heart of the boardwalk action. If you can get a table under the awning its a great way to people watch and take a break from the bike & sand.
321 locals recommend
The Commons Ale House
129 BroadwayGreat lunch spot on the actual waterfront walk in the heart of the boardwalk action. If you can get a table under the awning its a great way to people watch and take a break from the bike & sand.
Great family friendly spot to get pizza. It's inland a little bit, so you'll most likely want to drive there.
168 locals recommend
Pitfire Artisan Pizza
12924 W Washington BlvdGreat family friendly spot to get pizza. It's inland a little bit, so you'll most likely want to drive there.
Super easy, fun, German sausage & beer hall. Great for families. Order at the counter, draw on the communal tables and enjoy.
243 locals recommend
Wurstküche Restaurant Venice Beach
625 Lincoln BlvdSuper easy, fun, German sausage & beer hall. Great for families. Order at the counter, draw on the communal tables and enjoy.
Best local BBQ spot. Good for take away or eat in. Nothing fancy, just good, simple, delicious BBQ eats.
154 locals recommend
Baby Blues BBQ - Venice
444 Lincoln BlvdBest local BBQ spot. Good for take away or eat in. Nothing fancy, just good, simple, delicious BBQ eats.
A venice classic, one of the old spots still standing, featured in I Love You Man. Can't go wrong with their food breakfast, lunch or dinner. They brag about their fish tacos, but that's arguable.
258 locals recommend
James' Beach
60 N Venice BlvdA venice classic, one of the old spots still standing, featured in I Love You Man. Can't go wrong with their food breakfast, lunch or dinner. They brag about their fish tacos, but that's arguable.
A long standing local fave, this no frills spot offers up great Chinese food without the steep Abbot Kinney prices. Can usually walk in without issue, no waits. Also good for takeout. Local tip, bring your own booze!
112 locals recommend
Mao's Kitchen
1512 Pacific AveA long standing local fave, this no frills spot offers up great Chinese food without the steep Abbot Kinney prices. Can usually walk in without issue, no waits. Also good for takeout. Local tip, bring your own booze!
Sightseeing
Best place for a sunset drink in Venice. Rooftop of the Hotel Erwin right by the Venice sign. Panoramic views, heat lamps, heavenly views.
97 locals recommend
High Rooftop Lounge
1697 Pacific AveBest place for a sunset drink in Venice. Rooftop of the Hotel Erwin right by the Venice sign. Panoramic views, heat lamps, heavenly views.
Step back in time with this historic, classy and good looking bar, that is a slice of old Venice. Where Jim Morrison used to drink, and home to a prohibition speak easy, depending on the day of the week, visit for a quite cocktail or a rowdy night of dancing.
212 locals recommend
Townhouse Venice
52 Windward AveStep back in time with this historic, classy and good looking bar, that is a slice of old Venice. Where Jim Morrison used to drink, and home to a prohibition speak easy, depending on the day of the week, visit for a quite cocktail or a rowdy night of dancing.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Bike rental stand on 7th Ave off California.
If you need more bikes, you can either rent here, or at a variety of spots along the beach.
Getting around
Scooters & share bikes via apps
You can find share scooters and/or bikes using apps like Lyft, Ride, Uber, Lime etc. There's typically a lot of inventory available in Venice. Use caution, but have fun!
What to pack
Beach Temperatures
The coastline in SoCal comes with it's own weather system. It is typically gorgeous weather, but it's always wise to travel with some light layers and warmer options, just in case some marine layer moves in bringing some fog, or the wind shifts.