Venice Beach Recreation Center

I is a nice and at the same time disturbing place. People singing, running, lifting, selling, all sorts. Foods, good veriety of t-shirts, caps, etc. At the same time quite few weird people - homeless, junkies and "take my music CD for free, but you should donate" kind. Not very impressed, but would say, should see one time.

Famous worldwide Venice Beach ! My kids really enjoyed strolling here, it was like being in a movie.

An experience like no other I've had before. Very touristy and crowded but hire some bikes and head up the coast and it's nicer.

The place is beautiful and very nice, but don't expect to see what is shown on the screen. Lots of shops and restaurants along the route to Santa Monica Pier. Sunscreen is a must, even if you arrive early in the morning and everything is still foggy. Very quickly the sun comes out and burns.

Clear summer day, walking to this place is a good thing to do. Venice beach is great.

Great place to see sunset 🌇.

Nothing bad to say about this amazing area!! The $7 parking right at the beach was plentiful and cheap, don't get caught up paying more in town, go right up to the beach! You will love all the carnival type of shops and food, while checking out the famous work out areas of the giants (I thought big stong men would be working out there all the time, but it was fenced off in fact). The skate park, pier and ocean were unspeakably beautiful. Another nice touch is a police station right on the beach, along with so many cameras which all added to the safe feeling and general cleanliness of the area.

Visited in a Nov late evening. Place was cold and little crowded. But overall nice.

I is a nice and at the same time disturbing place. People singing, running, lifting, selling, all sorts. Foods, good veriety of t-shirts, caps, etc. At the same time quite few weird people - homeless, junkies and "take my music CD for free, but you should donate" kind. Not very impressed, but would say, should see one time.

Famous worldwide Venice Beach ! My kids really enjoyed strolling here, it was like being in a movie.

An experience like no other I've had before. Very touristy and crowded but hire some bikes and head up the coast and it's nicer.

The place is beautiful and very nice, but don't expect to see what is shown on the screen. Lots of shops and restaurants along the route to Santa Monica Pier. Sunscreen is a must, even if you arrive early in the morning and everything is still foggy. Very quickly the sun comes out and burns.

Clear summer day, walking to this place is a good thing to do. Venice beach is great.

Great place to see sunset 🌇.

Nothing bad to say about this amazing area!! The $7 parking right at the beach was plentiful and cheap, don't get caught up paying more in town, go right up to the beach! You will love all the carnival type of shops and food, while checking out the famous work out areas of the giants (I thought big stong men would be working out there all the time, but it was fenced off in fact). The skate park, pier and ocean were unspeakably beautiful. Another nice touch is a police station right on the beach, along with so many cameras which all added to the safe feeling and general cleanliness of the area.

Visited in a Nov late evening. Place was cold and little crowded. But overall nice.

Venice Beach did a major sweep of the unhoused and it's quite nice now. Every now and again, you still get the aroma of something someone is smoking but on a weekend, it was quite calm. Murals were breathtaking but I didn't see the walls that used to be for graffiti artists. Maybe we didn't walk far enough. Dias de Los Muertos was coming up and Don Julio had a beautiful altar. The structure took a week to construct and all the flowers around it took 3 days. Yay for tequila. It was a beautiful sunny day strolling down the boardwalk. Ok, bye.

I mean you really. You do know what you're getting into. This place will indulge all the senses you have and try to find ones you don't have. This is where all the weird stuff takes place outside of Hollywood. Check it out on the YouTube live feed they had to set up since it was getting too outrageous even for Venice Beach. Yes those needles are used in the bathroom. Yes they're used for that reason not what they're meant for. What did you think would be in that stall, toilet paper? No these people don't live here, they just hang out all day so you feel awkward enough to give them money or something, I guess. I don't know bum sales techniques, I just see results. They're all in a row down here and they're not selling stuff. Not openly that is. Just repeat after me: no, I'm not interested in hearing your mixtape. Then walk away. You'll leave here a lot dirtier than you arrived so I would shower before you shower. It's not so much the sand as everyone's insane auras seeping into your epidermis. I'll watch how long this real and honest review of Venice Beach stays up before some pansy whose never been here reports it. The rumors don't even touch this place. The skate bowl is nice but over hyped, sorry but those are everywhere. This one happens to be on a beach. Park in the neighborhood and don't walk back unarmed at any time of day. No it's not usually that bad but you're less likely to get stabbed first. It's been happening lately, look it up.

Great beach for people watching, skateboarding, just fun vibes overall. We rented a tandem bike and biked along the beach. It was definitely a lot of fun to do that. Loved that there were separate bike lanes and pedestrian walk ways. Highly recommend on a visit to LA!

Iconic California beach that has tons of activity and businesses along the beach boardwalk. Seriously there's a lot of great restaurants and casual eateries in the area and pretty much you can find something for everyone. Home to the iconic Muscle Beach. I knew of this place growing up before I even moved to LA because of all the famous bodybuilders that come through. There's also some basketball courts that are really popular and there are events here I think every Sunday. Definitely a vibrant place for locals and tourists alike. I don't come out here too often, but have generally a good time when I do. A couple of the downsides is the homeless issue and drug issue. Which they might be related. As of 7/2024, it seems like they addressed the homeless issue a little bit but if you're a tourist or even a local, I would take the necessary precautions and just look over your shoulder just in case. There's paid parking, but there's some street parking to be found in the neighborhood if you're willing to walk and you know where to look.

As I close my eyes and listen to the sweet caress of the waves flow through my mind. I get this feeling, a very familiar soul soothing feeling of being back in the womb with each crash of the wave. The warmth of the sun on my skin comforts me as my mother did when I was a child. The tranquil feeling of peace flows through the air without a worry or care just as it did when I was young and didn't have to do the adulting thing. It's amazing how just a few feet away you can escape the craziness from the boardwalk onto the sand of peace and zen. This beach gets a bad rap but I've been coming here since I can remember and I guess I'm just use to the LA life. And that's my take, Peace out

Venice has changed quite a bit . Lots more homeless and not as clean as it once was but also not as bad as the news makes it out to be . Still a cool place with a great LA vibe 4 stars is for the lack of reasonable parking

The crème de la creme of La. The daily festival. The palm tree circus. The land of all walks of life. The one and only Venice beach. Bring a skateboard. Ride a bike. Lay on the sand. Hit a rooftop bar. So much to do no wonder people retire here.

Venice Beach is a stunning destination that offers a unique blend of relaxation, recreation, and celebrity sightings! I was thrilled to run into MMA fighter Nate Diaz during my visit. The beach itself is beautiful, with soft sand and crystal-clear waters perfect for a day of soaking up the sun. The boardwalk is great for a leisurely walk, taking in the street performers, vendors, and vibrant atmosphere. However, be aware that after sunset, the area can get a bit sketchy, with a significant homeless presence. It's still worth visiting, but be mindful of your surroundings. Overall, Venice Beach is a must-visit spot in California, offering a unique experience that's both laid-back and exciting. Just be prepared for a change in atmosphere as the day wears on.

Venice Beach offers miles of beaches, walking trails, and shops. You'll enjoy gorgeous views of the pacific, as well as cliffs in the distance. Beware that marijuana is very popular here.

Venice Beach is so iconic. I don't think that anything comes close. from the skating ring area to the vendors and all the good places to get snacks. Once you come here, it'll leave the lasting impression , hopefully for the good. I enjoy watching the skaters !

I like this beach. Parking was $18 if you want to be closer to the beach. There are a lot of people though. There are some ships in the area as well!

Venice Beach is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the raw, energetic heart of Los Angeles. It's not for everyone, but if you're open to new experiences, embrace the weird, and don't mind a little sand in your shoes, you'll have a blast. Just remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, embrace the chaos in small doses, and let Venice Beach wash over you in all its messy, fascinating glory. Tips: - Go early to avoid the crowds and snag a good parking spot. - Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat - the sun can be relentless. - Wear comfortable shoes - you'll be doing a lot of walking. - Keep your valuables close and be aware of your surroundings. - Don't be afraid to say no to street performers (unless you want a hand-painted portrait of your dog, of course). - Relax, soak it in, and let the Venice Beach vibe work its magic. Venice Beach might not be your typical beach paradise, but it's an experience you won't soon forget. So grab your sense of adventure and get ready for a wild ride!

Vibrant and iconic! Venice Beach embodies LA's free-spirited vibe with street performers, eclectic shops and stunning ocean views. Perfect for people-watching, sunset strolls and soaking up the California cool!

The beaches in West LA are something to behold, aren't they? Breathtaking views, clean air, clean beach, good vibes, interesting stores, and good music (I actually enjoyed the random singers on the sidewalks, they had pretty good vocals). I actually enjoyed Venice Beach more than I anticipated. I have read lots of comments that the bathrooms are nasty. Well, I disagree with that, considering they are for public use and the amount of people visiting this place each day, I thought they were relatively well maintained (perhaps because I am male, we can do it standing up). Also, if watching people skateboard is your thing, this place would make the parking fees worth it (yes, the parking near the beach isn't free and they aren't cheap by any stretch). Best of all, the sunset views are surreal! If you think they look great in photos, they look even better in real life! What are you waiting for? Find some time, bring your partner, friends and family here! The only downside to this place is that homeless people can be seen roaming around here. If you are worried about that, then visit other beaches, they won't have the same upbeat vibe, but definitely more secure than this!

This place gets a 5 star if you look to expect an explosion of locals and tourists who are equally but differently engaging with the area. First time here was 2 weeks after moving to California on my first 4/20 here. Last month 16 years later we Stopped by here celebrating our Anniversary on 4/20 early in the morning to check out some Peruvian food and fish tacos.it was cold and gray. People were out and about, opening shops and setting up for the day. We say two couples in wedding attire taking photos. Nice to just stroll and take in all the variety of life. Be alert and mindful and enjoy yourself.

So I haven't been to Venice Beach since I was a child and after watching Barbie, I added Venice Beach to my bucket list next time I was in Los Angeles. Maybe I'm on the wrong side of the beach or I came on an off day but the beach was interesting. First off, there's a sidewalk path next to the sand. We assumed one side would be pedestrians and one side for bicycles. However, both paths were for bikes. There's not a designed safe area for pedestrians to walk except for the boardwalk area (where bikes were still allowed) or the sand. The homeless are still pretty present on the boardwalk. We saw them in pretty much every bench with carts nearby. The smell of weed was overpowering. Trash was everywhere. As we were leaving, there was a homeless lady throwing bread in the parking lot attracting the birds. She was on a bike so be careful when you're exiting the parking lot. It's sad because Venice Beach is very artsy and there's lot of nice street art murals or sculptures.

I came by weekday afternoon. Not so crowded at all and the beach was empty. I walked down from Santa Monica pier and it's good place to get inspired from work out enthusiasts. If you are tired to walk, go to Main street. There is a bus to go to downtown Santa Monica. It will pass Santa Monica station though.

Very run down, dirty and scuzzy place around the beach. I have been to many California beaches and towns this one is the worst by far. Too many overpriced restaurants and junk food in the area. A lit of the places are cheap pizza and county fair food. Others are overpriced sit down restaurants. Walk around the neighborhood and you will see worn out area. Shady people hanging around there and on the beach including a lot of homeless. I would not take elderly people or young children here. The positive thing is the beach itself is pretty nice and a good place for volleyball and walking. You can see muscle beach and some of the street art. It's too bad the place is not what it used to be. My friends in the area said it used to be good but in recent years has really changed. I was planning on staying here longer and going back later but left after a couple of hours. If you are in the area go check it out but I don't recommend making this place a destination for your vacation.

This beach is on many tourists to do list and rightly so. It's a must see if you're visiting LA not so much for the beach but for all the culture and vibrancy the people bring to it. There's a skateboard park where you can hang out for a while. Some fun graffiti art. And of course muscle gym! Beautiful strip to walk along and see the street performers. You can spend half a day here getting your steps in and people watching. This is a tourist trap though so I would steer clear of the food & souvenir vendors on the strip. The beach is also dotted with homeless persons and the beach in general is not very clean. There is a police presence though so I felt pretty safe.

I would not recommend Venice beach as a tourist stop. Maybe a decent spot for locals to do certain activities - like skateboarding, basketball, or wall ball. I visited this because I wanted to check it off the list of places in LA - But after walking down the strip I quickly realized there was nothing for me here. Unless you need a vulgar poor quality shirt or pot supplies - you can skip this destination. The vendors selling items were very low quality.

Beautiful beach! Nice restrooms, available to the public. Places to eat. Lots of shops, and colorful murals. Lots of guys working out in the Muscle Beach! We were here a short time, so I can't say much about it. I do like it, here. It was fun to people watch. We didn't have anything to eat here, we were heading elsewhere until 1:00pm.

Decided to head here to check out the scenery, eventhough it was very overcast we got a good three mile walk in. They have lots of shops selling varies items from clothes to trinkets for souvenirs to take back home. You will find basic eats here like carnival foods, beer and Cafe type food as well along with some cannabis shops. People watching is easy to do here and you will see people from different ethnicities here. I didn't like that in the walking area there were many people on bikes zipping by without regard for anyone eles there.

I love the aesthetic of Venice Beach but I hate how touristy it is. After you get past the vendors and street performers it's a beautiful place and great to drink a beer and watch the sunset, skaters, and roller bladers. The food is higher priced due to the tourist crowd so I recommend getting food before or bringing it with you. Parking can be $10-$20 so I usually park blocks away and walk.

Beautiful and historic, much different that the last time i was here. So many cool shops. Was the backdrop for many movies over the years. The patrons were so cool. The beach was clean, saw some skateboarders doing their thing. Just cool, to see it again!

This famous beach is worth including in a vacation to Los Angeles. It's a good place to walk or bike to get exercise. There is a lack of shade trees, so wear adequate sun protection. During our short visit, the main attraction for us was the skate park. For some reason, there is a lot of building artwork glorifying the Brazilian national soccer team.

Venice Beach is a wonderful place to catch the sun while having fun in the sand and catching waves. It is definitely a touristy place, but you'll find locals on the beach too. Its board walk is very famous and filled with souvenir shops and fast food eateries. The beach is clean and there are bathroom services nearby. Paid parking is available in the lots near the beach.

Just like Santa Monica, I had to see Venice Beach over the summer. It did not disappoint! It was crowded. It was loud. It was wild. I loved it! We were there earlier in the day, so we didn't catch the sunset like in Santa Monica. Stopped and watched skaters at a beautiful skatepark. Walked down to the water. Headed over to Muscle Beach. Just generally enjoyed the day. I like more laid-back beaches and will definitely want to see a few of those on my next visit to SoCal, but for my 1st visit, I had to see these California classic spots.

We had a great time here.I love hearing the waves in the background while walking in the sand.If you're in LA, you should definitely make a stop at Venice Beach. Very clean California beach. The sand was soft. Boardwalk is a great place to walk around.

If you've ever been to the Jersey Shore, it's that...on steroids. Literally (?). And in a good way! From pumping iron at muscle beach to the skate park to custom t-shirt shops with questionable slogans, there's something for everyone. Like many other places it's a bit grungy and certain places are thick with the smell of weed. But that kind of adds to the charm I guess. Most importantly the views are incredible. Seeing and hearing the Pacific is a truly awe-inspiring experience. And doing it at Venice Beach is a moment you're not likely to forget.

Very vibrant. Eclectic group of people. There a lot of good performances. Love the ambiance. Restaraunts are great. Highly recommended.

This was a wonderful experience. The only advice I would say is that atvh out for the t-shirt ships. The ones that print any design there is one that is amazing and the older guy who runs it is honest, then there is the second one we went too which tried to charge us 280$ for a single sweater. We are fighting with our bank right now to get the charge reversed save your money and buy from a local artist instead. Otherwise this is a beautiful place and as long as your on your toes, you'll be just fine

Where chill vibes meet great eats and a cool atmosphere. Perfect for a laid-back day by the sea with fantastic dining options, eclectic entertainment, and gotta love the diversity of people. It's fun, it's funky, it's Venice.

I paid $5 for this snake experiment and it was worth it. I love coming to venice beach intuitively and I did spot my sisters cousin. Family members. Love it. I had a nice little walk the other day after my workout. I'll def come back. I like the excitement of LA.

We wanted to stop by the beach during our trip to LA and were in the area checking out the Venice Canals, so we headed here. Still feeling the cold winter temperatures in early March, we found a spot on the sand to just hang out and enjoy the views... the water, trees, and entire atmosphere. The beach was fairly empty since it was later in the afternoon and breezy, but it somehow felt nicer seemingly isolated.  Venice Beach doesn't really offer anything special compared to other nearby beaches, it's fairly plain. I think the Boardwalk is the biggest draw for tourists. But even that part to me doesn't really stand out. You have some eateries and souvenir shops, some that look at little run down, your typical street performers, but some of them not so interesting (and others possibly con artists), and of course some of the homeless population in the area. The beach itself is lovely, but there are so many other alluring beaches, with more beautiful and cleaner surroundings and better shops and neighborhoods, some with noteworthy piers as well. All of that really attracts a certain crowd and shapes the quality of a beach. Venice Beach is just okay, in my opinion.

Updating my rating as a result of the drastic improvement of cleanliness, 98% removal of the homeless, tents/encampments and increase of police presence... that I feel more at ease to visit more frequently. The Venice beach pier is easy to access with the ten or fifteen dollar fee public parking lot right next to it. And sometimes if you're lucky, you can snag street meter parking for le$$. Yesterday while walking on the pier, I notice Venice Oceanarium a nonprofit organization that helps blend the ecosystems with Art and Poetry. Venice Oceanarium placed placards along the pier rails by famous poetry quotes that upon reading them, were perfect as you look outward towards the beach, ocean and reflect on moments that simple things that matter. Hope the city, nonprofit organizations, locals and visitors continue the effort to keep our beaches, oceans and ecosystems clean for ALL to enjoy. Peace!

Do NOT park at Safety Park 619 Speedway Venice CA... If I could give it a ZERO I would! There was one of their attendants filtering people down to their $20 valet parking when public parking was straight ahead for $5. The attendant didn't tell me it was valet parking until AFTER I paid. I'm headed to the airport to absolutely everything I have is in my rental car. They would not return my money. This company is beyond shady. When I called customer service to try and fix the situation I was HUNG UP ON TWICE! Do NOT park here!

Loved visiting Venice beach with our family. The views were spectacular and food was great! We rented electric bikes and ride for a few hours along the beach. So much fun!

A must see in California, especially Southern California. All sorts of shops and eateries, interesting people from all bsckgrounds. Skate park, a couple other public talent shows.

Ehhh not my kind of vibe. Upon minutes of entering the paved pedestrian area I was hit with a really strong lingering smell of weed and it seems like this place embraces it since the gift shops here have a bunch of weed-associated souvenirs lol. Also witnessed dogs being hostile to each other upon passing a few times and one instance of a dog owner/street merchant having an aggressive verbal confrontation with someone kinda making a whole scene. Nice. Much more peaceful and much fresher air once you get onto the sandy shore and right up against the ocean. There is a countless amount of food spots (I tried The Wee Chippy, which serves fish & chips; super tasty chips/fries there!). Glad I visited once but very unlikely that I'll visit again lol.

decided to go to the boardwalk at sunrise and it was absolutely stunning seeing the sun come up. It was chilly but breathtaking!

Cute walk for a stroll with family and friends or a cute date night. Bring your wallet, Los of tasty foods, and cute souvenirs. It was a Sunday night, and there weren't that many street performances. I wonder if this is the "Covid Norm" or if Venice has just lost its crown.

A very specific LA vibe. Nice walk, great view to the Pacific ocean. Windy... hard to find a perking spot for a reasonable price.

Yeah Venice Beach still has a special place in my heart. It has changed a lot over the centuries, but I was here last weekend taking a stroll with my girl, and it has become a homeless circus show here that has my ass laughing out loud. But I still love all of the food and entertainment. I love to people watch here, because its a tourist attraction. You meet people from all over the globe here. Plenty of street performers. I have been coming here since I was a kid.

Still as unusual as always. There are more people walking and eating on the sidewalk than on the actual beach. There are a lot of people, especially on a hot summer day. Pandemic or not, it's crowded. I also notice all the constant noise from the performers to the music blaring from the shops and the sidewalk vendors. I got lucky and found free street parking. Although, they now offer a large parking lot at a rate of $25 for all day. They did remove the homeless encampment that used to line the beach. However, they've closed off the area that gives this beach the name "muscle" beach. And no drum circle.

I was trying to chill on the beach on a Saturday evening when those damn Russians dropped a nuke.

Late upload! Love that there is a lot of good choices of food around. Stores are a bit expensive (but hey tourist area!) went on a stroll and my sister and I loved it i love seeing musicians around! Although a lot of homeless people, still a nice place to visit.

Venice beach is just something you have to do when in LA. It's a fun place to hang out. Cool vintage shops, restaurants and things to see. Some parts are a little sketch but it's to be expected.

Spent Saturday going up and down Venice Beach. With lots of entertaining spots and a charming beach, it is a fun place to spend the day. Quality: With a reputation for the absurd, Venice Beach combines a beautiful beach with a frenzied boardwalk. It is definitely worth a visit, and don't be surprised if you are talked into buying some street art and fake goods, or supporting a local performer. Quantity: The boardwalk is about two miles long with long swaths of beach. Value: Free to visit. Ambiance: Venice Beach is known as an unusual spot full of crazy characters. The beach is gorgeous, well-maintained with decent waves. The boardwalk is full of shops and bars, and tons of street performers and vendors. It is a top spot for people watching, and I would encourage a bike ride along the path up to the Santa Monica Pier. Crowd: The cooler weather kept beach empty, but the boardwalk was crazy. Service: Beach and boardwalk were both surprisingly clean. Parking: Tough street parking.

They're all next to each other: Manhattan, Hermosa, Dockweiller, Santa Monica, Malibu. You'd think they'd be all the same, right? But they're not. They all have their own unique identity and characteristics. City of Venice/Venice Beach is no exception. Like many SoCal beaches, it, too, is popular in its own right. Sure, they're seen in plenty of movies or TV shows, but there's nothing like walking along its shores and within its inner areas. Plenty of restaurants, mom-and-pop shops and the artwork in its city walls. Venice really has its own personality. It's a good place to spend a lazy afternoon. There are so many interesting things to see especially along the coast: muscle beach, artwork from independent artists, souvenirs for tourists is a few to mention. There are reports of homelessness ramping up (the pandemic is a factor, I'm sure) and that cleanup is supposedly imminent. I hope it isn't too much of a challenge. A good place to spend a lazy day. I certainly enjoyed that last visit.