Venice

Venice is a hip beachfront neighborhood to the southeast of Santa Monica within the Los Angeles Westside. This creative and free-spirited community first grew as a seaside resort in the early 20th century. Venice’s attractions and landmark areas include the sand and surf of Venice Beach, lively Ocean Front Walk and its many street performers, the picturesque waterways of the Venice Canal Historic District, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard’s chic shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Recent decades have seen this energetic neighborhood evolving and reinventing itself as a trendy home for artists, musicians, surfers, tech workers, and movie stars. Venice’s diverse housing options include oceanview condominiums and single-family homes ranging from remodeled early-20th century properties to contemporary custom builds. Housing is consistently in high demand, and properties are typically snapped up soon after appearing on the market.

• Beautiful beaches

• Lively shopping and restaurant scene

• Eclectic and contemporary feel

• Tech hub

Venice is one of Los Angeles’ most exciting and distinctive neighborhoods, and there is always something happening along the waterfront or on Downtown Venice’s stone-flagged sidewalks. Venice has evolved over the years from a peaceful turn-of-the-century seaside resort into a haven of the ‘50s and ‘60s counterculture and now into a tech hub often dubbed Silicon Beach. The influence of all these stages can be seen in the city’s eclectic and contemporary feel. In 2002, Julia Roberts’ arrival in the neighborhood sparked a trend of Hollywood A-listers moving into the area, while the addition of Google in 2011 and Snapchat in 2015 brought in a new wave of high-tech workers.

Abbot Kinney Boulevard is one of the world’s premier retail addresses, described by GQ Magazine as the coolest block in America. Heist is one of Abbot Kinney’s signature boutiques, carrying a great selection of upscale brands in a striking modern space. Other must-visits for the fashion-conscious include Aesop for skincare and body products, Alexis Bittar and Miansai for handmade jewelry, Buck Mason and Enda King for menswear, Fiorentini + Baker and John Fluevog Shoes for footwear, Salt for European-style womenswear, and Waraku for unique Japanese imports. 

Stop for refreshments at exceptional coffee shop Intelligentsia or health drinks at Pressed Juicery. Standout dining choices along Abbot Kinney Boulevard include The Tasting Kitchen, which serves inventive Mediterranean-style small plates and cocktails described by Zagat as “the best west of the 405.” Felix draws on culinary influences from across Italy for delicious dishes prepared using fresh Californian ingredients. The centerpiece of this rustic trattoria is a state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled pasta lab, with the most coveted seats being those that have a good view of the artistry occurring inside it.

Venice is a vibrant city with a packed events calendar throughout the year. First Fridays on Abbot Kinney see dozens of premier food trucks line Venice’s iconic shopping boulevard. Stores stay open late for this evening event, which also features live music and other street performances. On the last Sunday in September, Abbot Kinney Festival fills the boulevard with around 350 vendors, food trucks, kids’ rides and games, four stages of live music, and five beer gardens. 

The Venice Art Walk & Auction in May is a celebration of the thriving local arts scene. Studios open their doors to the public during this event that also includes art workshops, activities for kids, live music, and a gallery-quality silent auction to raise funds for charity. 

Running for a mile and a half alongside the sands of Venice Beach, Venice Beach Boardwalk has a festival atmosphere every day of the year. Here, you’ll find hundreds of performers and vendors, including mimes, musicians, jugglers, fortune tellers, and unique arts-and-crafts booths. The outdoor exercise equipment of Muscle Beach is another famous Venice landmark. Here, you’ll find bodybuilders and talented displays of athletic and gymnastic skills. The streets surrounding the Muscle Beach Gym have a high concentration of renowned fitness studios.

Venice is part of the Los Angeles Unified and Animo Venice Charter High Public School Districts. Highlights include:

• Broadway Elementary School, Public, K-6

• Coeur d’Alene Avenue Elementary School, Public, K-5

• Animo Venice Charter High School, Public (Charter)