Venice Beach Escape Guidebook
Sightseeing
The Getty offers 2 outstanding museums and are not to be missed. The Getty Center is right off the 405 Freeway in West L.A. and the Getty Villa is in Pacific Palisades. Wonderful art collections, beautiful grounds that feel like a park - and are used that way by locals!. Don't miss the very interesting tours lead by the all-volunteer docents at both locations. Nice restaurants and cafes also add to your day...indulge and enjoy!
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrThe Getty offers 2 outstanding museums and are not to be missed. The Getty Center is right off the 405 Freeway in West L.A. and the Getty Villa is in Pacific Palisades. Wonderful art collections, beautiful grounds that feel like a park - and are used that way by locals!. Don't miss the very interesting tours lead by the all-volunteer docents at both locations. Nice restaurants and cafes also add to your day...indulge and enjoy!
While this is a pretty basic boardwalk pier, the beach is lovely around it. Also find the historic and renovated Carousel. A short few hours of family fun featuring a mild roller coaster, scrambler, ferris wheel with beautiful views, dragon swing, boardwalk games and junk food.
Tip #1- get the wristband if you plan to go on more than one ride. While they're pricey, you'll still be better off.
Tip #2 - go off the pier for food. Right up the hill, Ocean Ave and Third Street Promenade offers much better food choices.
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierWhile this is a pretty basic boardwalk pier, the beach is lovely around it. Also find the historic and renovated Carousel. A short few hours of family fun featuring a mild roller coaster, scrambler, ferris wheel with beautiful views, dragon swing, boardwalk games and junk food.
Tip #1- get the wristband if you plan to go on more than one ride. While they're pricey, you'll still be better off.
Tip #2 - go off the pier for food. Right up the hill, Ocean Ave and Third Street Promenade offers much better food choices.
Beautiful park with many hiking trails - long and short choices. Be mindful, it is steep, so even the easier paths include hills. But WORTH it. Also, horseback riding options here too...not easy to get bookings though as they're limited in number and book rather quickly. Another great fun feature are Polo Matches....yes, you read that correctly, polo matches.
204 locals recommend
Will Rogers State Historic Park
1501 Will Rogers State Park RdBeautiful park with many hiking trails - long and short choices. Be mindful, it is steep, so even the easier paths include hills. But WORTH it. Also, horseback riding options here too...not easy to get bookings though as they're limited in number and book rather quickly. Another great fun feature are Polo Matches....yes, you read that correctly, polo matches.
Beautiful place to stroll around, feed ducks, smooch on a bridge, and take in the lovely atmosphere. These are the few remaining canals from Abbot Kinney's Venice of America vision.
12 locals recommend
Venice Canals Beach Access Path
2480 Pacific AveBeautiful place to stroll around, feed ducks, smooch on a bridge, and take in the lovely atmosphere. These are the few remaining canals from Abbot Kinney's Venice of America vision.
Why add a mall as a destination? Because it's really pretty, all outdoors, has great eateries, and its close to loads of fun. Shop, eat, views, movie theater, easy parking - even though it may not seem to be the case by the line to get to parking, it's pretty easy and worth it.
178 locals recommend
Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica PlaceWhy add a mall as a destination? Because it's really pretty, all outdoors, has great eateries, and its close to loads of fun. Shop, eat, views, movie theater, easy parking - even though it may not seem to be the case by the line to get to parking, it's pretty easy and worth it.
Food scene
Fun Brew Pub on the Boardwalk with pretty tasty eats (real pub food which in LA includes veggie options!) with good beers, friendly staff, amazing people-watching!
321 locals recommend
The Commons Ale House
129 BroadwayFun Brew Pub on the Boardwalk with pretty tasty eats (real pub food which in LA includes veggie options!) with good beers, friendly staff, amazing people-watching!
Really nice indoor/outdoor feel in this upscale cafe. Pricey, but lovely! Solidly good food, busy, hip and fun!
320 locals recommend
Superba Food + Bread
1900 Lincoln BlvdReally nice indoor/outdoor feel in this upscale cafe. Pricey, but lovely! Solidly good food, busy, hip and fun!
Cool, unusual sausage and beer house. Terrific sausage sandwiches - vegan options too - and outstanding offerings of beers, wines. Casual, easy, fun whether you're solo or with a big group.
243 locals recommend
Wurstküche Restaurant Venice Beach
625 Lincoln BlvdCool, unusual sausage and beer house. Terrific sausage sandwiches - vegan options too - and outstanding offerings of beers, wines. Casual, easy, fun whether you're solo or with a big group.
A Venice landmark, the Sidewalk Cafe offers a huge selection of classic American cafe food and offers a full bar. Good for breakfast, after beach day snack and drinks, sunset cocktails while taking in sunset, watching the eccentric collection of Venice boardwalk people du jour. Very casual, very friendly staff.
52 locals recommend
The Sidewalk Cafe
1401 Ocean Front WalkA Venice landmark, the Sidewalk Cafe offers a huge selection of classic American cafe food and offers a full bar. Good for breakfast, after beach day snack and drinks, sunset cocktails while taking in sunset, watching the eccentric collection of Venice boardwalk people du jour. Very casual, very friendly staff.
Another casual beach cafe option a block off the boardwalk that is open air to the street. Wine, beer, and typical cafe fare for an easy - must-feed kids right now moment.
39 locals recommend
Simmzy's
37 Washington BlvdAnother casual beach cafe option a block off the boardwalk that is open air to the street. Wine, beer, and typical cafe fare for an easy - must-feed kids right now moment.
Looking for a good salad, a drink and a nice atmosphere? Here's a nice option.
14 locals recommend
Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails
1239 Abbot Kinney BoulevardLooking for a good salad, a drink and a nice atmosphere? Here's a nice option.
From the restaurant group that seems to always find huge success....Gjelina. Always crowded, always tasty, hip atmosphere and always nice to be on Abbot Kinney!
85 locals recommend
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney BlvdFrom the restaurant group that seems to always find huge success....Gjelina. Always crowded, always tasty, hip atmosphere and always nice to be on Abbot Kinney!
If you looking for an upscale version on Gjelina, this is it.
Solid food, drinks, cool atmosphere and priced accordingly!.
447 locals recommend
Gjusta
320 Sunset AveIf you looking for an upscale version on Gjelina, this is it.
Solid food, drinks, cool atmosphere and priced accordingly!.
So, it appears the butcher's daughter went vegetarian! The is a very pretty place, and a vegetarian menu - but they will add a piece of chicken or fish to some plates, so can be suitable for all. Plus, even hard-core carnivores wind up loving what they order...meat or not!
175 locals recommend
The Butcher's Daughter
1205 Abbot Kinney BoulevardSo, it appears the butcher's daughter went vegetarian! The is a very pretty place, and a vegetarian menu - but they will add a piece of chicken or fish to some plates, so can be suitable for all. Plus, even hard-core carnivores wind up loving what they order...meat or not!
VERDICT IS IN! Outstanding pizza IS in SoCal...and here is where you can get some. Funny enough, this is a Brazilian chef's restaurant ...and guess what he's won again and again, year after year? The best pizza chef price in Italy! You'll see why. (Oh, that Fungi pizza!!!)
Sampa's Pizza Cafe
534 Washington BlvdVERDICT IS IN! Outstanding pizza IS in SoCal...and here is where you can get some. Funny enough, this is a Brazilian chef's restaurant ...and guess what he's won again and again, year after year? The best pizza chef price in Italy! You'll see why. (Oh, that Fungi pizza!!!)
Delicious Mexican focused food...healthy, scrumptious, meat and meatless options. When you eat here, it is always even better than you think it will be. Bold flavors.
74 locals recommend
Tocaya Organica - Venice
1715 Pacific AveDelicious Mexican focused food...healthy, scrumptious, meat and meatless options. When you eat here, it is always even better than you think it will be. Bold flavors.
If you get a craving for Lavender Honey ice cream, or Strawberry Balsamic ice cream, or anything more traditional - hop on line and get a great cone, cup or pint
189 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
1357 Abbot Kinney BlvdIf you get a craving for Lavender Honey ice cream, or Strawberry Balsamic ice cream, or anything more traditional - hop on line and get a great cone, cup or pint
This is a huge cafe with tons of seating and a huge selection. Great teas, coffees, smoothies, salads, soups, sandwiches, plates...easy place to take the family. Order at counter and food is brought to your table so that makes it easy. Also, great to meet a friends for a quick brunch, or afternoon coffee and cake.
256 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StThis is a huge cafe with tons of seating and a huge selection. Great teas, coffees, smoothies, salads, soups, sandwiches, plates...easy place to take the family. Order at counter and food is brought to your table so that makes it easy. Also, great to meet a friends for a quick brunch, or afternoon coffee and cake.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Getting Around on the Westside of L. A.
Save money on a rental car if your focus will be on the westside of Los Angeles. Rider Shares such as Lyft, Uber, etc.., are almost instantly available here - really!, make sure you ready when you call for a car. E-Scooters like Bird, Jump, Lime, Spin are all over here as are MetroBikes, Jump Bikes etc... Buses also run along major boulevards and BBBus runs all over Venice, Santa Monica to UCA (as long as you don't transfer, buses are not so bad). If venturing east, the Expo lightrail takes you to Downtown L.A.much faster than your car ever will.
Just a moneysaving tip!
Don't miss
Venice Beach Bike Path: Malibu to Manhattan Beach
Take advantage of the opportunity to ride your bike (or skateboard, roll, skate, etc.) from Malibu to Manhattan Beach along a continuous bike path. Great way to spend the day outdoors, get some exercise, have lunch on the boardwalk in a new neighborhood. Rentals are available all over - both traditional and e-bikes. Fun for the whole family!
NOTE: You may not ride electric scooters on much of boardwalk/bikepath so avoid using there and try on designated bike lanes.
Don't miss
Spend lots of time on the Beach!
Lots of people walk the unique, urban, eccentric boardwalk of Venice, but fewer take advantage of Tim eon the Beach. Beautiful sand, great swimming, surfing opportunities, boogie boarding, and full time lifeguards all make for a great time at the beach. Be sure to grab as much time there as possible. It’s magical!