20 Best Things to Do in Venice Beach, CA

Pacific Ocean waters, mesmerizing sunsets over the beach, pretty boardwalks, strong beer, and delicious food—Venice Beach, California, has everything you could ask for in a beach vacation.

The neighborhood is also home to some of California's best tourist attractions.

On top of all that, did you know that Venice Beach sees the highest number of beach weddings every year?

Without further ado, here's a list of the best things to do in Venice Beach, California:

Plan Your Day at Venice Beach

The beach itself is, of course, the top tourist location in the area.

The name says it all, and it's an excellent place for the whole family to visit.

Kids can enjoy the beach, while parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy the day.

This is one of the hippest locations in town, and no matter when you decide to drop by, you will see a lot of crowds.

Most of them are engrossed in their beach fun and activities like tennis and skateboarding.

There's also a boardwalk nearby so that you can enjoy the views.

Many cafes and restaurants have also made their place along the beach, making it an excellent lunch location.

Walk along the Venice Beach Boardwalk

Countless travelers who frequent this place have said that the boardwalks are their favorite part of Venice Beach.

In fact, most of the people of Santa Monica ride their bikes and come here to catch the sunset along the boardwalk.

If you're feeling a bit adventurous, you can rent a bicycle, cycle around the neighborhood, and spend the end of a glorious day here.

The best part about this boardwalk is that you can find many food items here—all kinds of food courts are lined up in the area.

Additionally, you can shop for sea charms or even get your fortune told!

Have Your Meals at Rose Cafe

One of Venice Beach's iconic spots, Rose Cafe is a must for your itinerary.

It has been here since the 1970s, and the boho culture is quite evident here.

As you enter, you will be welcomed by warm and chic interiors.

Some dishes that you will see on the menu are local favorites which have been staples at Rose Cafe since the beginning.

But with time, the menu has changed, too—you can now find a lot of tasty international dishes as well.

Go on a Biking Tour of Venice Beach

Cycling is one of the best ways to explore Venice Beach and its surrounding areas.

If you want to see all its hidden gems, this is one of the best ways to do that.

You can find a lot of operators who organize bike tours, which last around three hours.

The best part about this tour is that it goes along the different beaches, and everyone is well aware of how splendid the Malibu Coast is.

Get ready to see the beautiful Santa Monica Pier, bike along the Santa Monica Boardwalk, and get a glimpse of some of the best views in California!

You will even get to go past some of the biggest and most expensive houses you'll see in your lifetime.

Most Hollywood celebrities also have beach houses here.

Snap a Few Pictures of Mosaic Tile House

When you are looking for some of the best things to do in Venice Beach, the Mosaic Tile House should definitely be on your list.

Did you know that the artists, Cheri Pann and Gonzalo, are married?

The Mosaic Tile House was a joint venture, and they have not stopped working yet.

They add a few more pieces to the house every day to symbolize Venice's immense beauty.

This house is often included in local tours.

However, if you wish to visit privately, you are always welcome.  

Take a Look around the Venice Canal Historic District

The Venice Canal Historic District is very high up on our list.

Bring your camera and snap some photos of these incredible canals.

These canals were in no way naturally built; they are all artificial.

Abbot Kinney was the mastermind behind this creation.

He wanted this place to have some of the vibes of Venice, Italy, and even thought of turning this place into the Venice of the USA.

Once upon a time, you could even find authentic gondolas here along the artificial canals.

The place is picturesque and offers one of the best scenes in Venice Beach.

Enjoy the View from High Rooftop Lounge

If you want to get a little tipsy in Venice Beach, you should at least do it with a great view.

This place has some of the best cocktails and overlooks some of the neighborhood's most gorgeous scenes.

High Rooftop Lounge is one of the fanciest places here.

The music is also quite exciting.

The DJs have their way with the ambiance, and the atmosphere is great too.

They have some signature cocktails that you need to try out.

You can even find some of the best food here, such as their tacos and crabs.

Explore the Venice Murals

If you decide to take a walk around Venice Beach, there will be a lot of unusual sights to check out.

However, the Venice murals still seem to be favorites among locals and tourists.

Walking along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, you will see this concrete wall where the murals lie scattered.

Some of the murals are quite old, too.

But if you want to see something new, do take a look around, and you shall see a perfect mixture of the old and the new.

A lot of information about the beach and the surrounding areas is also written down on these murals.

There are 24 murals in total, and if you want to see everything and read every line—expect to be here for almost three hours!

Check Out the Venice Public Art Walls

Check out the coolest graffiti in town.

Venice Public Art Walls are something that will absolutely rock your social media.

Are you in Venice Beach and looking for some of the coolest places to click some of the best pictures for your Instagram?

Say no more!

Some of the art is even from the 1960s.

It did not use to be a public place, but upon seeing its potential, the locals decided that people needed to see the talents of these artists, too.

Treat Your Sweet Tooth at ChocoVivo

Do you have a sweet tooth?

ChocoVivo is one of the best dessert places in Venice Beach.

First of all, the dark chocolate here is just out of this world.

It is rich, and the taste is exceptionally creamy.

Enjoy what dark chocolate is actually supposed to taste in ChocoVivo, and buy some chocolate for your folks back home.

Go on a Shopping Spree at Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Want to head over to the GQ-acclaimed coolest block in the States?

We know the answer is yes!

This is the best location to experience the neighborhood's vibrant spirit.

Also, if you're looking for places to shop, this is the coolest spot to get just what you need.

If you need souvenirs, you can grab those here at a highly affordable rate.

Jeans, books, coffee, dresses, antiques—no matter what you want, you're guaranteed to get your hands on that item here.

This is the hip part of the neighborhood.

If you are hungry, look no further because all restaurants and bars are lined up along both sides!

Lighten Up at Venice Beach Beer Company

How can you visit California and not have some beer by the ocean?

Check out Venice Beach Beer Company!

The ambiance at this place is very hip.

Like every other location in the neighborhood, Venice Beach Beer Company is exceptionally chic and has some of the best beers you can find in the area.

Enjoy some fantastic drinks as the ocean breeze glides across your face.

Amber Ale is one of the most famous drinks here.

So, do try one of those out.

Try Out Skateboarding

Venice Beach is quite a hip location.

You could even fall in love with some new things here.

Have you tried skateboarding before?

If not, this is the perfect time to take up some skateboarding.

There is the Venice Beach Skate Park, where you can see a lot of the youngsters trying to show off their skateboarding skills.

If you are not comfortable practicing in front of such a skilled crowd, just see how cool they are!

Maneuvering stairs, various tricks, boarding on railings—there are some highly talented skaters here.

You can catch some of the professionals here, too, from time to time.

Check Out the Athletes at Muscle Beach

Muscle Beach is one of the most famous spots in Venice Beach.

If you're a fitness enthusiast, you'll love the location.

Athletes and gym buffs come here to practice, work out, or randomly show off their bodies.

There is a lot of equipment on the beach, too.

Want to get into some training?

This is the right place to do so.

Moreover, the views are amazing, too.

Who doesn't love a good workout by the beach?

A lot of photoshoots for fitness magazines take place here.

There is a high chance you can catch a glimpse of your fitness guru, too!

Located quite close to the Santa Monica Pier, visiting Muscle Beach is one of the top things to do in Venice Beach.

Take a Walk around Town and Take in the Views

Walking around, exploring, and finding all of Venice Beach's hidden gems can be a lot more fun than going around by car.

In case you didn't know, Venice Beach has been a movie location for many films, and these shooting sites are kind of like the city's hidden gems.

The film industry plays a vital role in the neighborhood's history.

And when you walk around, you will surely be able to see how many parks and alleys show off Venice Beach's remarkable history.

Admire the Artworks at L.A. Louver

Delightful, Original, and Independent… L.A. Louver has not lost its momentum since 1975!

The contemporary art gallery is noted for providing a premier venue for globally recognized artists.

At this art space, you'll find some incredible masterpieces of East Los Angeles graffiti artist Gajin Fujita and American abstract painter William Arnstein.

This lovely art gallery sits between the beach and Pacific Avenue on North Venice Boulevard.

It was architect Frederick Fisher who designed the stunning 8,000-square-foot building that houses the L.A. Louver gallery on the north side of the street.

For any guests interested in visiting the gallery, validated parking is provided across the street in a structure directly adjacent to the gallery entrance.

Snap a Shot of the Evocative Venice Sign

The VENICE Sign on Windward Avenue at Pacific is a modern-day replica of the legendary Abbot Kinney's work that adorned the streets of Venice, CA, back in 1905.

You'll see a spectacular domed space, illuminated from dusk to dawn via color-changing LED lights, which comprises an iconic sign along this famous thoroughfare.

A symbol of Venice, you can learn more about the history and special moments that have taken place over time at this historically significant spot.

In 2007, the latest iteration of Venice's trademarked sign was recreated by The Venice Chamber.

Today, the sign continues to be a beacon welcoming visitors.

When you happen to come by this part of Venice Beach, you're more than welcome to take a pic of the evocative sign for either personal use or pleasure.

See Engaging Shows at the Pacific Resident Theater

Pacific Resident Theatre (PRT) is a staple of Southern California's theatre community.

In 1985, it was founded in the arts district of Venice as an actors cooperative.

This LA-based theater company strives to present classic and lowkey plays that have the potential to touch their audience and the artists involved in bringing them to life.

PRT is also dedicated to producing new works by new playwrights for up 'n coming talent.

Over the last 33 years since its inception, PRT has done just that with over 90 awards, making it one of the most decorated theatres in Los Angeles.

It earned awards from the Drama-Logue, the L.A. Drama Critics Circle, the LA Weekly, Garland, and the NAACP.

During this time, it has also had numerous actors scouted by modeling agencies and film studios and is consistently ranked as one of the best theatres in Los Angeles.

Final Thoughts

Venice Beach is an attractive, bohemian-inspired beach town in Los Angeles with upscale residential and commercial districts.

The gorgeous Venice Boardwalk is a great place to visit for its fantastic shops, bodybuilders, and colorful murals.

It also comes hand in hand with the free skate park, where kids and adults alike might have the pleasure of skateboarding along a temporary course designed by world-renowned architects.

There’s also a vibrant music scene taking place among the indie clubs that line up down Abbot Kinney Boulevard.

Delicious eateries can also be found here alongside fashionable fashion boutiques and many popular coffee bars, like Intelligentsia Coffee Venice Coffeebar or Blue Bottle Coffee.

Make sure to add these magnificent destinations to your travel bucket list, so you can experience everything Venice Beach has to offer!