How to Spend a Weekend in Venice
If you want to spend a weekend experiencing a unique Southern California beach town, Venice is the place for you. Venice is best known for its luxury real estate, free-spirited residents, and the famous Muscle Beach — where Arnold Schwarzenegger found fame through bodybuilding.
There’s so much to do in Venice over a weekend that you might have a hard time fitting it all in. Any itinerary must include a stroll down the boardwalk, a visit to Abbot Kinney Boulevard for some upscale shopping and dining, and walking along the famous canals that gave the community its name.
Below are the best ways to enjoy a weekend near Venice Beach.
Explore the boardwalk
The best way to feel the true vibe of Venice is to take a stroll on the Ocean Front Walk, otherwise known as the Venice Boardwalk. The boardwalk is a paved pedestrian mall that stretches for nearly three miles along the beach and is lined with hundreds of shops, restaurants, and street vendors. There are sidewalk performers and artists who have made the boardwalk their performance venue, and limitless people watching with some of the most colorful characters in SoCal.
Hit the beach
Once you’ve finished strolling the boardwalk, you might as well hit the beach. The wide, golden beach is a perfect place to spend several hours enjoying the sun. Don’t forget to use plenty of sunscreen and take a dip in the ocean. If you surf, you can bring or rent a board and catch some waves.
People who buy houses for sale in Venice often realize that Venice Beach is a perfect location for people with an active lifestyle. The warm climate and outdoor setting make it perfect for skateboarding, biking, and rollerblading up and down the boardwalk. Residents and visitors can play tennis, basketball, and handball on courts located just steps from the surf. There is beach volleyball and a huge gymnastics playground open to the public.
Visit Muscle Beach
No weekend in Venice would be complete without a visit to Muscle Beach, which remains a mecca for bodybuilders from all over the world — as well as people who own Venice real estate. This outdoor gym is between the boardwalk and the beach, putting it right in the middle of the action. You can either watch bodybuilders hit the weights, or you can buy a day pass for $10 and join in the workouts. Muscle Beach is open year-round, except for major holidays and when it’s raining. Hours vary based on the season. There is a competition stage right in the middle of the complex, as well as the Muscle Beach Venice Hall of Fame.
Drop in at the Venice Skatepark
When the surf isn’t firing, many Venice residents enjoy skateboarding on the concrete bowls and banks of the Venice Skatepark. Located on the beach, this park has become one of the most popular in Los Angeles since it opened in 2009 and is one of the most recognizable skateparks in the world. There’s almost always a crowd watching—and with good reason. The park’s combination of concrete and performance art is a beautiful, artistic addition to the boardwalk experience.
Shop, eat, and walk Abbot Kinney Boulevard
To get a feel for the more refined side of Venice, stroll up and down Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Experience a wide range of upscale shops, boutiques, galleries, and many restaurants and bars that have become favorites of foodies who have purchased Venice homes for sale.
Shops
Burro Goods is an artsy gift shop with trendy, California-centric clothes and goods from local artisans. This is the perfect place to grab cute home decor or unique cards to send all your friends. For upscale clothing boutiques, check out Guild and Heist, while Huset brings you the best in Scandanavian home furnishings. There are also locations for fan favorites such as Warby Parker and Happy Socks.
Dining
Get your morning caffeine fix at Venice Coffeebar, a location of the beloved Intelligentsia. For the perfect brunch, The Butcher’s Daughter transforms fresh ingredients into distinctly California dishes in this trendy location. Charm your tastebuds with dinner at local Italian favorites, Piccolo Ristoranti and The Tasting Kitchen.
Visit the Venice Canals
Just a few blocks from the beach are the Venice canals. Built in the early 1900s, many of the original canals are gone, but a few remain and are worth seeing. The best way to see the canals is to walk the four-block stretch of Dell Avenue that crosses four of the remaining canals. They are lined with classic beach houses and modern single-family homes.
To better check out Venice canals homes for sale, take the charming pedestrian bridges that cross the canals. There are no boat rentals on the canals, but you can bring your own non-motorized boat or rent one elsewhere for a cruise if the water level is high enough. There’s a launch ramp on Venice Boulevard.
Venice is conveniently located between Santa Monica and Marina del Rey, giving residents easy access to the sprawling LA metro area. Hollywood and all the attractions of the West Side are just a short drive, and Los Angeles International Airport is just around the corner.
Ready to explore Venice homes for sale?
Despite the 2% dip in prices, Venice is still considered a seller’s market—so the best way to navigate the competitive market for Venice homes for sale is to hire a talented, local real estate agent. Their knowledge should include pricing trends and insights into the inventory of available homes.
Once you’re ready to shop for (or list!) a Venice home for sale, partner with the talented agents at the Ravelo & Deane Group. They offer each client an unrelenting work ethic, integrity, and expertise, bolstered by the fact that they both live in Venice. The Ravelo & Deane Group will get to know you and your lifestyle needs, and will then work hard to narrow down homes that check all the boxes. Wherever you are in your Venice real estate journey, contact Ravelo & Deane Group today!
