World Traveler's Website

Photo By: Chris *- Flickr.com

Venice, a '60s counter-culture enclave of Los Angeles, is as weird and eclectic as it comes in Los Angeles, in a good way of course. Founded by Abbot Kinney in 1905, Venice was envisioned to be a beach town and was designed with canals to model the city of the same name in Italy. Venice is known for its beaches, canals, and eclectic mix of street vendors and performers that line its ocean-front boardwalk.

Venice Beach, two miles of beautiful California beach, contains the boardwalk, Muscle Beach, skate dancing plaza, handball courts, volleyball courts, and basketball courts where a number of NBA players have been recruited from in the past. Take a stroll down the boardwalk and enjoy the different street vendors, shops, and street entertainers that are offered.

Nightlife in Venice has been active since the 1920s and 1930s, and today is especially popular with a number of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Dine in at one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles before hitting the bars/clubs to finish off the evening.

Venice also has many notable and famous residences, including Simpsons creator Matt Groening, South Park co-creator Matt Stone, Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage, etc. Venice is also featured in many films and television shows, including Speed, American History X, Million Dollar Baby, Beverly Hills 90210, Baywatch, and 24.