Iconic Venice Beach offers a vibrant and singular escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, even for us locals. You can spend an entire weekend exploring Venice and not even scratch the surface of what the lively beach town has to offer and lately I have been doing just that. The end result, this guide, is a diverse lineup of my very favorite attractions and stops in Venice Beach.
One of Venice Beach’s ever idyllic canals.
Eat & Drink
1103 Abbot Kinney Blvd
If you find yourself on Abbot Kinney do yourself a favor and stop by Blue Bottle Coffee for what coffee addicts of Los Angeles herald time and time again “the BEST coffee in ____”. Fill in the blank as you will, in LA, Rome, the world. You’ll likely encounter a line so long it winds out the door and down the street, but your patience will pay off in the form of perfectly brewed, strong and to the point coffee served in minimal and stylish cups.
Nothing is as refreshing on a hot day as Blue Bottle Coffee’s New Orleans Style Iced Coffee.
Recommended: I’ve yet to find something on the menu I don’t love, but Blue Bottle addicts repeatedly praise their lattes and mochas. My personal favorite is their New Orleans Style Iced Coffee. It is so potent and smooth it ought to be a crime.
56 Windward Ave
If you’re on the Venice Beach Boardwalk Menotti’s Coffee Stop is not to be missed. Menotti’s baristas are well educated and make drinks that border on works of art. Their prices are steep (think upwards of $8 if you sub in almond or soy milk) but their coffee is definitely worth checking out once or twice.
Menotti Coffee Stop’s classic exterior.
Recommended: Their cold brews and Spanish lattes are what they’re most known for but they make a mean dirty chai that packs a punch.
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd
People are firmly of two schools when it comes to New American outpost Gjelena. Lovers of the restaurant consider the food the best they’ve ever tasted, while critics claim it’s massively over-hyped. Any place that polarizing is worth checking out as far as I’m concerned. The location can’t be beat, the interior is gorgeous and there are some absolutely delectable items on the menu.
This squash blossom pizza is picture perfect.
Recommended: Their fresh oysters, mushroom toast and pizzas all garner rave reviews, particularly their squash blossom pizza.
Note: 20% gratuity is automatically added to the bill. Some find this offputting to discover at the end of their meal so I wanted to give fair warning.
1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd
The Tasting Kitchen, like Gjelena next door, offers a trendy yet welcoming interior and diverse loosely Italian menu, making it an Abbot Kinney standby since it opened. With exposed brick walls, wood beams and gigantic windows, The Tasting Kitchen is a feast for your eyes and your stomach.
The Tasting Kitchen’s famous shrimp tagliarini.
Recommended: Fried chicken and waffles at brunch (you can get bacon baked into them!), their infamous shrimp tagliarini at any other time of day. To drink try the Baby Bird cocktail made with vodka and lavender tonic.
1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd
The Otheroom’s sleek and industrial-influenced interior makes it the perfect place to stop in for a drink. The venue maintains a low-key vibe, even at night, so don’t come here looking for a party. The bar serves strictly beer and wine and there is not a fruity cocktail in sight. The menu, while not extensive, is diverse and truly features something for everyone.
Recommended: Completely dependent upon your preferences!
1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Every bit as good as it’s original Portland counterpart, the Venice Beach outpost of Salt & Straw is well worth waiting in the at times thirty-minute long line. Salt & Straw is known for their unique and seasonal ice cream flavors (think Strawberry Tomato Water Sherbert and Caramel Corn on the Cob in the summer) and is guaranteed to offer a delectable treat for your taste buds.
Two scoops – Honey Lavender and Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache.
Recommended: Their Honey Lavender and Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache flavors are both to die for.
See & Do
1140 Abbot Kinney Blvd
It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of Cuyana’s minimalist and streamlined wares, I featured them on my inaugural “Spotlight on Style” post after all! One look at their Venice Beach store will show you why. Cuyana is fabulously designed and comes across as more of a showroom than a traditional retail store. Walking into this shop is like escaping into a serene oasis from the hecticness that is Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
Cuyana’s gorgeous interior.
1409 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Burro reminds me of Urban Outfitter’s apartment shop with a much more cohesive and drool-worthy selection. The little shop is full of beautiful jewelry, home goods, unique gifts, a limited clothing selection, and the sweetest shop staff you’ll ever meet. I had to be dragged out of Burro by my husband because I couldn’t stop looking at all of the gorgeous and incredible finds.
Burro’s cheeky “NEVER, AS IF, NOT BAD, TEMPTING, IRRESISTIBLE” glass.
1629 Abbot Kinney Blvd
The Piece Collective is another shop stock full of one of a kind finds. This bohemian-influenced spot sells stunning jewelry, Coachella-worthy clothing and some seriously lust-worthy home wares.
The Piece Collective’s facade is possibly the cheeriest stop on Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
1801 Lincoln Blvd
General Store is a mecca for goods from local artisans. Founded with the goal of bringing “thoughtful, function design” to our communities, the store, which has an original sister shop in San Francisco, sells home goods, clothing, beauty products, and jewelry. My favorite finds are of the beauty variety. Their salves and mud masks are absolutely fabulous.
You could spend over an hour browsing all of The Piece Collective’s unique wares.
Street Art
Venice Beach is an absolutely vibrant pocket of Los Angeles that is bursting with artists and their incredible works. This is abundantly obvious if you spend a day roaming the town and encountering street art and large scale murals. Storefronts, garage doors and building facades alike are covered from top to bottom in the works of some seriously talented individuals. Venice Beach’s official website offers a concise guide of the must-see murals in the city.
Would you like a hotdog with your pizza?
Venice Canals
Developer Abbot Kinney built the infamous canals in 1905 in an attempt to recreate those in Venice, Italy. The remaining canals are just a remnant of the original grid laid out by Kinney. When automobiles gained popularity many of the canals were filled in, and those left untouched largely fell into disrepair. Today the canals offer a place to take a beautiful and leisurely stroll away from the chaos of the beach’s boardwalk, not to mention a plethora of photo ops.
A walk through the beautiful canals offer a peaceful reprise from the city.
The Venice Sign and Boardwalk
Out of towners can’t visit Venice Beach without stopping by the iconic boardwalk and sign. The sign, now hanging at Winward Avenue, is actually a replica of the original hung back in 1905 by, you guessed it, Mr. Abbot Kinney himself. The boardwalk is equally as infamous and features performers, artists, vendors, Muscle Beach, and a quite baffling “freak show”.
Not quite the deserted street you normally see in photos, the Venice sign is actually situated admist a heavily trafficed intersection.
Renew & Relax
1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Kreation Organic is a must stop shop for all things healthy, organic, and cleansing. I’ve been a fan of their juices for a long time and their Venice Beach “kafe” offers all those that I love and more. Their covered courtyard features tables where you can dine on full meals at after ordering off an iPad menu while their indoor shop offers pre-bottled drinks, tonics and take-away treats.
Recommended: Any of their green juices, their tonics or their syringe shots. They also make an incredible organic and gluten free cookie.
1205 Abbot Kinney
Gorgeously appointed and vegetarian The Butcher’s Daughter has gained fame thanks to their delicious dishes and Instagram-worthy interior. If you’re looking for the best avocado toast around or picture perfect backdrop for a photo, your search is over.
Recommended: Start with a juice flight before moving on to avocado toast or a macro bowl.
512 Rose Ave
Café Gratitude is a 100% plant based restaurant that offers cuisine so delicious you won’t be missing wheat or meat at all. The second you step foot inside the restaurant you’re greeted with a calm and soothing vibe that has to be experienced to be believed. Though it is a bit of a walk from the main attractions of Venice Beach it is well worth the time and effort.
Recommended: Feliz (coconut ceviche), Humble (Indian curry bowl), Liberated (pesto kelp noodles), and Excited (mojito spritzer).
I hope if you’re headed to Venice Beach you will find this guide helpful. Even if you are not, I hope it gives you travel lust and encourages you to get out and explore what Los Angeles has to offer in the future!