Venice, California
Created | Updated Mar 22, 2002
Venice, CA is a peculiar town. The closest description that springs to mind (meaningful only for those experienced in England) is the mutant offspring of the (now sadly late, lamented) Kensington Market and Brighton on a jaunt to the West Coast. There's a webcam view of it that you can waste your time watching if you like. Or perhaps put it in a little window on your desktop.
It's definitely very different from 'LA proper' - very bohemian and relaxed, but wholly separate from the urban conurbation to its east. It's definitely a town in its own right, not least in its higher density of tattoo parlours, which may well be the highest in the western world.
Apparently the Doors came from Venice; that's not really surprising. There's a large mural of the Lizard King himself on the wall of one of the beachfront buildings; walk down Speedway and you'll see it. They're big on murals in Venice.
If you visit Venice, you may well recognise it; it's famous, and not without reason. It's featured in several recent British adverts, including the Rolling Rock beer ad with a big snake, a magic show and a woman with a bed of nails, which is shot around the streets of Venice, and the John Smith's No-Nonsense Man 'lifeguard' ad - look out for the distinctive arched architecture of Abbot Kinney (the original designer of much of Venice)'s in the background. In addition, Venice featured in the movies "Speed", "The Net" - watch out for when Sandra Bullock walks along one of the canals - and in an episode of the supernatural thriller series "Brimstone".
It's quite a small area; just walk north for a few minutes and you're in Santa Monica, which incidentally has quite a large ex-pat British community. You can, though, if you prefer, just relax on the marvellous beach itself or take a look at what Venice itself has to offer.
There's plenty of cheap accomodation for the budget or student traveller - hostels include the Venice Beach Cotel, which is pretty decent. Unlike, on the other hand, the Venice Beach Hostel up the street, which deserves to be given a wide berth. Travellers who've stayed there will tell you frightening tales of vermin infestation.
A lot of your nourishment during a stay in Venice will probably come from the million-and-one fast food joints lining the beachfront. You'd be advised to choose carefully. The pizza from the place next door to the comprehensively-stocked head shop and by the beachfront market is very similar to cardboard. The best 'junk' food to be had there comes from the Sidewalk Cafe; in fact, the food there isn't junk at all, it's really good, and they do great breakfasts. Whilst you're eating read a book from Small World Books, situated next door. Look out for the bookstore's cat if you go in.
The beachfront is composed of the beach itself with its stunning views of the Pacific, and everything behind the beach on the land. There's the famous skating route along the edge of the beach; the road behind it with all the beachfront shops and market stalls; and the neo-Classical buildings of Venice itself, including its own canal running behind the beachfront homes. When you go down the beachfront walk, look out for Harry Perry, the "World's Greatest Wino" -, the rollerblading guy in the turban with the electric guitar, who's something of a local celebrity and known the world over to Venice visitors (that's a lot of people: at the weekends up to 150,000 people visit Venice Beach every day). If you don't spot Harry then you'll almost certainly see one of the many other weird and wonderful street performers who entertain and bemuse alike.
For those who'd like to know more, the comprehensive Venice site is located here.
It's definitely very different from 'LA proper' - very bohemian and relaxed, but wholly separate from the urban conurbation to its east. It's definitely a town in its own right, not least in its higher density of tattoo parlours, which may well be the highest in the western world.
Apparently the Doors came from Venice; that's not really surprising. There's a large mural of the Lizard King himself on the wall of one of the beachfront buildings; walk down Speedway and you'll see it. They're big on murals in Venice.
If you visit Venice, you may well recognise it; it's famous, and not without reason. It's featured in several recent British adverts, including the Rolling Rock beer ad with a big snake, a magic show and a woman with a bed of nails, which is shot around the streets of Venice, and the John Smith's No-Nonsense Man 'lifeguard' ad - look out for the distinctive arched architecture of Abbot Kinney (the original designer of much of Venice)'s in the background. In addition, Venice featured in the movies "Speed", "The Net" - watch out for when Sandra Bullock walks along one of the canals - and in an episode of the supernatural thriller series "Brimstone".
It's quite a small area; just walk north for a few minutes and you're in Santa Monica, which incidentally has quite a large ex-pat British community. You can, though, if you prefer, just relax on the marvellous beach itself or take a look at what Venice itself has to offer.
There's plenty of cheap accomodation for the budget or student traveller - hostels include the Venice Beach Cotel, which is pretty decent. Unlike, on the other hand, the Venice Beach Hostel up the street, which deserves to be given a wide berth. Travellers who've stayed there will tell you frightening tales of vermin infestation.
A lot of your nourishment during a stay in Venice will probably come from the million-and-one fast food joints lining the beachfront. You'd be advised to choose carefully. The pizza from the place next door to the comprehensively-stocked head shop and by the beachfront market is very similar to cardboard. The best 'junk' food to be had there comes from the Sidewalk Cafe; in fact, the food there isn't junk at all, it's really good, and they do great breakfasts. Whilst you're eating read a book from Small World Books, situated next door. Look out for the bookstore's cat if you go in.
The beachfront is composed of the beach itself with its stunning views of the Pacific, and everything behind the beach on the land. There's the famous skating route along the edge of the beach; the road behind it with all the beachfront shops and market stalls; and the neo-Classical buildings of Venice itself, including its own canal running behind the beachfront homes. When you go down the beachfront walk, look out for Harry Perry, the "World's Greatest Wino" -, the rollerblading guy in the turban with the electric guitar, who's something of a local celebrity and known the world over to Venice visitors (that's a lot of people: at the weekends up to 150,000 people visit Venice Beach every day). If you don't spot Harry then you'll almost certainly see one of the many other weird and wonderful street performers who entertain and bemuse alike.
For those who'd like to know more, the comprehensive Venice site is located here.
