Today we're going to aim the spotlight just around the corner to Venice Beach. This worlds famous and famously unique beach is a must stop in if you find yourself in sunny Los Angeles. You'll find yourself mixing it up with LA's most creative beach lovers. Shops and street vendors sell everything nature and art related along the infamous boardwalk.
If you love bars and nightclubs, Venice Beach has you covered. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what type of music you like or even the kind of people you like to mingle with – Venice Beach has something for everyone. Some bars are loud and exciting with a lot of single people while others have more of a calming ambiance. One very cool place:
The Venice Whaler
For whatever reason Venice Beach seems to attract the "Medical Marijuana" crowd. Every block you walk you'll see a small shop selling you some of their controversial fix to your medical problems. And it sure seems like a lot of people have problems. Even guys on skate boards! :-D
(Police and tattooed beach bums coexist in Venice)
And YES, there is a Muscle Beach on Venice. Muscle Beach is a special area where sun seeking bodybuilders pump iron in a public show of strength and cry for attention. This is the same outdoor gym that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has worked out on and continues to frequent for special events.
Last August 2009 was a special event for bosom baring women, "Go Topless in Venice Beach".
Go Topless Website. This crowd pleasing event had goal was to raise awareness for both breast cancer AND the fact that they feel they have the right to bare their chests every bit as much as men in public. I'm not going to argue! Illegal at Venice Beach these ladies braved arrest to get their point across. Good news: none of the ladies got a ticket.
(Hey, even ultra cool Lady GaGa likes Venice)
People you might know of that make Venice home: Julie Roberts, Kate Beckinsale, Nicolas Cage, Red Hot Chili Peppers John Frusciante, Fiona Apple among others. Robert Downey Jr had an apartment on the Boardwalk in the 90's and Jim Morrison of the Doors lived in Venice for 2 years.
(an often seen Venice Beach drum circle)
Need a few good hotel recommendations for the area? Glad to help. I'd suggest the
Venice Beach Suites and Hotel. It's smack in the middle of all the action, has decent rates ( As cheap as $130 a night) and gets nice reviews. This historic hotel has plenty of rooms with views facing over that wacky boardwalk and toward the Pacific. They're at:
VB Suites Website and/or 310.396.4559. Tell them we sent you and you get absolutely nothing for it. :-D (neither do we)
So there you have it, LA's most "funky" beach and perhaps one of the funkiest beaches in all of the US. Do yo know of any other beaches more funky that Venice? Comment on...
