Venice Beach Los Angeles

A couple of generations ago someone decided to try to turn this stretch of beach into a southern California Venice - complete with canals and artsy types. While the original dream was never quite realized, Venice Beach has become a Los Angeles icon. Southern California in general, and Los Angeles in particular, has a less than flattering reputation in the rest of the United States as the gathering place for "colorful" characters. Venice Beach probably has something to do with that image. This is a place for people watching.

Costumed characters, skating guitarists, fortune tellers, prophets of doom and girls in micro-bikinis make their way up and down the crowded boardwalk past tattoo parlors and t-shirt stands. Not far away is Muscle Beach where bodybuilders pump and tone in the hot sun. The place has a circus atmosphere and as long as you approach it with that mindset you'll pass a couple of enjoyable hours at the beach. Just don't take yourself, or anyone else, too seriously.