{"id":81,"date":"2013-05-28T04:28:24","date_gmt":"2013-05-28T04:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/lifes-a-show-at-venice-beach\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:18:27","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:18:27","slug":"lifes-a-show-at-venice-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/lifes-a-show-at-venice-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Life’s a Show at Venice Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"

Venice Beach has an eclectic charm unlike any other part of Los Angeles. Snuggled just south of Santa Monica, which is famous for shopping, copious restaurant choices and stunning waterfront hotels, Venice is a cultural explosion that couldn’t be more different to its posh sister.<\/p>\n

Santa Monica is still popular with Aussies visiting LA and the waterfront hotels are a great base if you\u2019re after something away from the action of Venice Beach. I rented a bike from the 100-year old Santa Monica Pier and cycled two kilometres down the sealed bike and running track embedded in the soft Pacific Coast sand. Following the snaking track past Muscle Beach with all its clich\u00e9d activity of tough looking, nuggetty men in striking muscle-popping poses, I\u2019m joined by rollerbladers and families enjoying the Californian sunshine.<\/p>\n

At first glance Venice Beach can be overwhelming. The sea is about 300 metres across the endless sand on my right, lush green grass and soaring palm trees punctuate the shoreline on my left, and in between I\u2019m suddenly swept up into a carnival.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s as if a Director shouts \u2018Action!\u2019 and all the colourful folk who hang out down here start performing. Only they\u2019re for real.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get run over by the guy on a bike with a taxi sign he\u2019s taken off a car and strapped to his head. Skating past him is a man in a turban with an electric guitar selling T-shirts. Look out for groups of tattooed girls who are hula-hooping on the grass under the palm trees.
\n
\nStall holders sell T-shirts and graffiti art, tattoo parlours have Harley Davidson\u2019s parked out front, people walk dogs the size of guinea pigs and a husky with wolf\u2019s eyes waits patiently for his owner to finish busking just opposite the Sidewalk Caf\u00e9, which is the perfect spot for people-watching.<\/span><\/p>\n

My tip for the best bar in the area is located on the rooftop of the\u00a0Hotel\u00a0<\/a>Erwin<\/a>, appropriately called High. The incredible sunset views make this the spot for a drink, even if you\u2019re not staying here. Inside, rooms are furnished with a Californian beach vibe, bright colours and quirky artwork, while Barlo, the restaurant on the ground floor, serves killer truffle fries.<\/p>\n

A couple of blocks back from the beach is Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Here you\u2019ll find cool boutiques, tapas bars, cafes, bespoke jewellery stores, art galleries and my favourite store of all, Bountiful, a beautiful antique and reconditioned homeware boutique with a window display that lures me from miles away.<\/p>\n

Venice Beach has a vibe all of its own and is one of the best places to stay in LA for stopover. Most Expedia Travellers stay in LA for 2 to 3 days and that\u2019s plenty of time to head to the beach. If you’re after ideas for fly and stay visits, see\u00a0Los Angeles Holidays<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Venice Beach has an eclectic charm unlike any other part of Los Angeles. Venice is a cultural explosion that couldn’t be more different to Santa Monica.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,6,2,3,14,20],"tags":[34,116,122],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-81","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventure","category-destination","category-experiences","category-explore","category-interests","category-usa","tag-culture","tag-los-angeles","tag-venice-beach","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLife's a Show at Venice Beach - Expedia AU Stories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Venice Beach has an eclectic charm unlike any other part of Los Angeles. 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