Visiting the Venice Beach Canals
As renters and aspiring homeowners, one of our favorite things to do in Los Angeles is walk through the city’s many neighborhoods and look at all of the diverse architecture. On any given street you might find up to 16 different styles. If this sort of outing sounds like fun to you, we recommend taking a free self-guided stroll through the famous Venice Beach Canals.
Only a few blocks off of the boardwalk and just south of the beaches of Santa Monica, you will be transported into a magical setting of backyard views in an eclectic mix of bohemian, historical, and modern homes while strolling along the canals on charming footpaths and quaint bridges. Lush gardens, local wildlife, and cocktail-hour boat docks make for a picturesque setting and a memorable trip.
A Brief History of the Venice Beach Canals
The Venice canals were built in the early 1900s by developer Abbot Kinney (a name that might sound all too familiar to locals) and were meant to recreate the romantic atmosphere of Venice, Italy, in Southern California.
Originally, the area consisted of several miles of canals lined with sidewalks, bridges, and beautiful homes. However, over time many of the canals were filled in to create roads and accommodate the increasing popularity of automobiles. Today, only a fraction of the original canals remain.
Getting to the Venice Beach Canals
There are six remaining canals and they are bounded by Pacific Avenue, Venice Boulevard, and the Venice Beach Boardwalk. There are several ways to enter the canals from street access, and you can start your self-guided tour from any direction. The Venice canals are accessible 24 hours a day, but this is a residential neighborhood, so it is important to respect the neighbors.
Parking at the Canals
Depending on the time of day, there is available street parking, but be sure to read the signs for restrictions. We’ve never had that much trouble finding a parking spot on the side streets just north of Washington Blvd. There is also a pay lot on the corner of Washington and Pacific Avenue (2108 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291).
Make a Day of It
We typically spend 30 minutes to an hour exploring the canals, and we often make a day of it. It’s one of our favorite spots to bring out-of-town guests because it’s not only a fun stroll in a historic and beautiful part of Los Angeles, but it also costs absolutely nothing — which we love.
The proximity to the beach and Abbott Kinney with all of the local restaurants and savvy shops also make it a great destination. Grab some coffee and a pastry at Gjusta, head to the canals and then walk the boardwalk, or grab lunch or a bite on the strip just in time for happy hour if you plan it right.
What to Bring to the Venice Canals
It doesn’t take that long to walk the entirety of the Venice Beach Canals, so you may choose to leave the water bottle in the car. But be sure to bring a camera (or have your phone handy), some comfortable shoes, and maybe a sweater depending on the time of year. We’ve found that it’s generally 10 degrees cooler near the coast than it is in central Los Angeles.
Got a spot near the canals that you love? Reach out and let us know! We love exploring Venice, and there is so much to see and do!
