Venice
Venice is a beach neighborhood of Los Angeles known for its canals, the Ocean Front Walk boardwalk and Abbot Kinney Boulevard, built more than a century ago as a resort town modeled on Venice, Italy. Here's what to know whether you're visiting or thinking of moving, with full drives so you can see the streets for yourself.
Last updated November 2026 · Sources
At a glance
- Part of
- City of Los Angeles, LA County
- Population
- About 34,200 (2021 estimate)
- Founded
- 1905, joined Los Angeles in 1926
- ZIP codes
- 90291 and 90292
- Main streets
- Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice Boulevard, Ocean Front Walk
- Freeways
- The 90 and the 10 nearby, the 405 to the east
A short history
- Venice of America
Developer Abbot Kinney opened Venice of America on July 4, 1905, after digging miles of canals to drain the marshes, and adding a 1,200-foot pier and arcaded streets in a Venetian style.
- Joining Los Angeles
Venice ran itself as an independent city until voters approved consolidation in November 1925. It became part of Los Angeles in 1926.
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- Canals into roads
After annexation, most of the original canals were filled in and paved, a process finished in 1929 after a court fight by canal residents. The old lagoon became a traffic circle.
- The canals saved
The remaining canals were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, then drained and rebuilt, reopening in 1993.
Venice today
- Ocean Front Walk runs about two and a half miles along the beach, with street performers, vendors, the skate park and Muscle Beach.
- Abbot Kinney Boulevard is the main shopping and dining street, lined with independent shops and restaurants.
- The Venice Canals are a quiet, walkable pocket of small bridges and waterfront homes, just a few blocks from the boardwalk.
- Homes range from small beach bungalows and walk-streets to modern architect-designed houses and apartment buildings.
From the driver's seat
Our drive shows Venice at a slow crawl: lots of people on foot, bikes and skateboards, narrow streets near the beach and a mix of old cottages and bold modern houses. It runs down from Santa Monica, along Abbot Kinney and through the streets around the canals.
If you're visiting
- Ocean Front Walk
The famous boardwalk, about two and a half miles of street performers, vendors, murals and people-watching.
- Muscle Beach Venice
The outdoor gym on the sand where bodybuilders work out in public.
- Venice Skatepark and the beach courts
The beachfront skatepark and the basketball courts made famous by the film White Men Can't Jump.
- The Venice Canals
A quiet walk over small bridges past waterfront homes, a few blocks from the boardwalk.
- Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice's main street for boutiques, restaurants and coffee.
- The Venice sign
The lit VENICE sign over Windward Avenue, near the old colonnades from the original resort.
- Venice Art Walls
Open graffiti walls on the beach where artists paint in public.
- Venice Fishing Pier
A long walk out over the water, good for sunset.
▶ Tap a highlighted name to watch that spot in one of our drives.
- Ride a bike along the beach path from Santa Monica; it's often faster than driving and parking.
- The boardwalk is busiest on weekend afternoons. Mornings are calm and better for photos.
- Beach parking lots sit at the ends of Venice Boulevard and Rose Avenue and fill up fast in summer.
Getting there: The nearest rail is the E Line in Santa Monica, about two miles north. Big Blue Bus and Metro buses run on Venice and Lincoln boulevards.
Preview it: Santa Monica to Venice BeachHours, prices and seasons change, so check before you go.
Tours and tickets
- Venice Beach bike toursGetYourGuideViator
The boardwalk, the canals and the beach path in one loop.
- Venice Canals and Abbot Kinney walksGetYourGuideViator
Guided walks through the canals and the shops nearby.
- Surf lessonsGetYourGuideViator
Beginner lessons with board and wetsuit included.
- Venice street art toursGetYourGuideViator
The murals, the boardwalk art walls and their stories.
These are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the drives coming. Both sites let you compare prices and reviews, and many listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. Planning a whole trip? See Plan your trip.
If you're moving here
Cost snapshot
Figures are area-wide estimates from listing sites and change monthly. Check current listings before you decide.
Getting around
Venice is very walkable and bikeable, with the beach bike path running north to Santa Monica and south toward Marina del Rey. The nearest rail is the E Line in Santa Monica, about two miles away, and Big Blue Bus and Metro buses run along Venice and Lincoln boulevards. Parking is tight.
Need Venice on film for work?
Realtors, relocation consultants and brands can license our footage or commission a drive of a specific street, route or time of day.
Watch it: drives through Venice
1 drive
Jump straight to it
Find a landmark- 9:16Pacific Avenue - Venice in Santa Monica to Venice BeachPlay
- 11:09Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Santa Monica to Venice BeachPlay
- 17:11Venice Canals neighborhood in Santa Monica to Venice BeachPlay
- 20:14Venice Beach & Boardwalk in Santa Monica to Venice BeachPlay
Short drives nearby
All shortsNext door
Quick answers
Where is Venice?
Venice is a beach neighborhood of Los Angeles known for its canals, the Ocean Front Walk boardwalk and Abbot Kinney Boulevard, built more than a century ago as a resort town modeled on Venice, Italy.
What is the population of Venice?
Venice has a population of about 34,200 (2021 estimate).
What is there to do in Venice?
Top things to see include Ocean Front Walk, Muscle Beach Venice, Venice Skatepark and the beach courts, The Venice Canals and Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
How do you get around Venice?
Venice is very walkable and bikeable, with the beach bike path running north to Santa Monica and south toward Marina del Rey. The nearest rail is the E Line in Santa Monica, about two miles away, and Big Blue Bus and Metro buses run along Venice and Lincoln boulevards. Parking is tight.
How much does it cost to live in Venice?
Median home value: $1.83M (Trulia, April 2026). Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,817/mo (Apartments.com, June 2026).
Can I see what Venice looks like before I visit or move?
Yes. Somewhere Drive has a full 4K drive through Venice with no narration, including Santa Monica to Venice Beach.
Sources
- Venice, Los Angeles (Wikipedia)
- Venice Canal Historic District (Wikipedia)
- The lost canals of Venice of America (PBS SoCal)
- Venice demographic profile (LA City Planning)
- Venice home values (Trulia)
- Venice rent trends (Apartments.com)
This guide describes places, streets and history, not who lives here. Spot an error? Email hello@somewheredrive.com.
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