Venice Boardwalk Attractions

Venice

Venice Pier

Abbott Kinney built Venice's first pier back in 1905, but the current model dates from 1963. Rescued from demolition in the mid-1980s, the restored fishing pier reopened in 1997.

Murals

Numerous murals beautify facades all along the Venice Boardwalk and its side streets. Rip Cronk's Venice Reconstituted and Homage to a Starry Night are famous.

25 Windward Ave at Speedway

Venice

Muscle Beach Venice

Check out beefy, hunky bodybuilders with abs of steel at this outdoor gym, successor to the Santa Monica original, which shut in 1959.

Basketball Courts

The game's always on at Venice's famous outdoor courts, especially during "Hoops by the Beach," which draws the best street basketball teams.

Street Performers

The best in the business, Boardwalk's street performers dance, walk barefoot on glass, balance people on their chin, and even juggle chainsaws.

Drum Circle

People of all colors and ages gather on the beach on Sunday afternoons, chanting and gyrating to the seductive rhythms of pots, bells, and bottles.

Windward Avenue

Flanking Windward Avenue are Venice's oldest Renaissance-style buildings, including St. Marks Hotel, a hostel.

Beach Architecture

Unique private homes line the Boardwalk between Venice and Washington Boulevards. Look for the one by Steven Ehrlich at No. 2311 and Frank Gehry's Norton House.

Jody Maroni's Sausage fey Kingdom

The simple sausage goes gourmet at this locally popular but unassuming take-out stand. 2011 Ocean Front Walk

Sidewalk Café

The kitchen produces satisfying sandwiches, salads, and other simple fare. Ideal for people-watching. 1401 Ocean Front Walk

Places to eat