Venice

 

 

With ocean exposure, a boardwalk that stretches over two miles, an endless parade of street performers, and classic Californian architecture, Venice is among the city’s hottest neighborhoods.

 

Venice was founded in the early 1900s by a tobacco millionaire, Abbot Kinney. The area was originally a beach resort set on two miles of oceanfront property. It was an independent city until 1926 when it merged with Los Angeles.

 

 

Over the past several years, a slew of artists, restauranteurs, and designers have entered Venice, imbuing the area with a creative, innovative sensibility.

 

 

Venice locals enjoy the town’s creative atmosphere, tasty food, and of course, the shoreline. With perhaps the best waves on the southern California coast, Venice beaches draw ocean enthusiasts from every corner of the city.

 

 

Venice’s reputation as a laid-back beach town is well-deserved. Its stylish locals appreciate and support the plentiful food, coffee, and fashion establishments scattered throughout town—places like Gjelina, Salt and Straw, and Blue Bottle Coffee have devoted fan bases.

 

 

While the beach and boardwalk see their share of crowds, its residential streets sometimes provide a quiet respite.

 

 

Homes in Venice are predominantly modern and beautifully designed. The lots tend to be smaller compared with other LA neighborhoods, spiking the beach town vibe with a surprisingly urban feel.

 

 

Offering perfect waves, a bustling boardwalk, beautiful homes, and community sensibility, locals prize Venice as one of LA’s most vital beach communities.