Venice Beach
76 people recommend, 14 warn against itvia r/LosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 25 threads.
What people say, in short
Most visitors recommend Venice Beach, and several enjoy the people-watching along its boardwalk. Several visitors find parts of the boardwalk run-down, and a couple note that it gets crowded, so expect a busy, less polished atmosphere. One visitor suggests pairing it with the Venice canals and Abbot Kinney for a quieter balance.
Address
Venice Beach Boardwalk, Beach pavillion in, 517 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
At a glance
- Best for
- Walks
- Opinions divided
- Yes
- Known for
- People watching on the Boardwalk, Muscle Beach area and skate bowl, Photo walk from Venice toward Santa Monica
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Venice Beach, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/infernoenigma in r/LosAngeles · Jul 2026
Author strongly recommends a photo walk starting from Venice Beach and heading toward Santa Monica, after doing it themselves.
- Recommendsu/tragichero24 in r/AskLosAngeles · May 2024
Recently visited and liked relaxing on the sand with shops and snacks steps away.
- Recommendsu/Significant_Sun5095 in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026
Says to do both, but start with Venice as the priority.
- Recommendsu/Not_RZA_ in r/AskLosAngeles · Aug 2026crowds
Recommends it for tourists despite crowds, while noting locals may not love it.
- Recommendsu/fighting_tadpole in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026
Suggested as a beach to visit after strolling Abbott Kinney.
- Recommendsu/sweetsaleem in r/AskLosAngeles · Sep 2025
Says Venice merits a long visit and recommends walking its boardwalk.
- Recommendsu/theModernEA in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026uniqueness
Recommends Venice Beach for its diversity and people-watching.
- Recommendsu/Freak85fromsls in r/AskLosAngeles · Sep 2024
Suggests visiting Venice Beach, including its muscle-beach area.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/International-Shoe40 in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026uniqueness
Has always had more fun there, with odd sights and famous film-location spots.
- Caveatu/mpython1701 in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026maintenance
Calls Venice gross, even though it is on many people's bucket lists.
- Recommendsu/SharpnCrunchy in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026uniqueness
Says Venice has more character, and suggests canals and Abbot Kinney nearby for a quieter, balanced day.
- Recommendsu/WyndiMan in r/AskLosAngeles · Aug 2026
Says it is worth seeing alongside Santa Monica, connected by a bike path.
- Caveatu/Ready_Corgi462 in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026maintenance
Says the Boardwalk is gross, though other parts of Venice are fun.
- Mixedu/etherealfap in r/LosAngeles · Sep 2026crowds
Said the southern walk ending here is busier with more people, though it has more to look at.
- Recommendsu/salamandyr in r/AskLosAngeles · Sep 2024
Named as a second starting point for the same flat bike ride heading south.
- Recommendsu/Pure_shenanigans_310 in r/AskLosAngeles · Feb 2026uniqueness
Calls it unlike anywhere else; suggests biking inland rather than staying on the sand.
- Recommendsu/Fun_Astronomer_4064 in r/AskLosAngeles · Aug 2026uniqueness
Suggests it as the spot for a tourist vibe.
- Recommendsu/mettaCA in r/AskLosAngeles · Apr 2026uniqueness
Recommends Venice Beach mainly for watching the people there.
- Recommendsu/hellobeatie in r/AskLosAngeles · Feb 2026
Lists Venice among LA landmarks worth visiting.
- Recommendsu/cyberspacestation in r/LosAngeles · Jul 2026
Mentions the Venice pier as one of the spots to take in on a longer walk.
- Recommendsu/Timely_Rooster1361 in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026
Picks Venice outright over the alternative suggested.
- Recommendsu/New_Personality_3884 in r/AskLosAngeles · Aug 2025uniqueness
Big fan; praises its wide beach, historic boardwalk and colorful, iconic vibe, suited to a few hours.
- Recommendsu/GoodLyfe42 in r/AskLosAngeles · Nov 2024
Counts the Venice Boardwalk as a nearby highlight for staying in Santa Monica.
- Recommendsu/birdbyb1rd in r/LosAngeles · Sep 2026
Enjoys the long beach walk from north of Santa Monica down to Venice and back, ending with time in the water.
- Recommendsu/Armenoid in r/LosAngeles · Sep 2026
Enjoyed a jazz festival held on the beach on a beautiful day.
- Recommendsu/cloudedcents in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026
Would still visit Venice too, since it is close by.
- Caveatu/SoulExecution in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026maintenance
Calls Venice kind of trashy.
- Recommendsu/thepantlesschef in r/LosAngeles · May 2024crowds
Recommends Venice beach, especially the area around the Venice pier off Washington Blvd.
- Caveatu/cranberrydudz in r/AskLosAngeles · Jan 2026
Finds Venice less pleasant to walk around than Santa Monica.
- Caveatu/Minimum-Sentence-584 in r/AskLosAngeles · Sep 2025visit time
Says Venice Beach doesn't justify a full day of time.
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Freshness
Details last checked 3 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.