Venice California Travel Guide

Plus a Google Map

Venice Beach City Guide

Venice Beach is my favorite district in Los Angeles. If you are visiting for the day, download the TAP app and ride the Big Blue Bus from the LAX Bus Terminal to Venice. Start your day with a coffee at Hooked Venice, then walk or run along the beach. For breakfast, I love the juices and smoothies at Moon Juice. Venice has excellent shopping along Abbott Kenney Boulevard. Stop in Gjusta for an afternoon snack and caffeine fix. I love the gluten-free lemon ricotta cake. For dinner, I recommend Gjelina. The lamb burger is outstanding, and the veggies are cooked to perfection. Before returning to your hotel, pick up some snacks at Erehwon Market. The hot food bar is fantastic!

EAT

Rose Cafe: A popular spot for indoor or outdoor dining.

The Great White: My favorite cafe for brunch.

GTA (Gjelina Take Away): The sister restaurant to Gjusta, perfect for a quick lunch or afternoon snack. Pack a fantastic beach picnic lunch with many delicious mains and sides.

Gjusta: Gjusta is a bakery and lunch cafe with outdoor seating. I recommend the lemon ricotta cake.

Fabio’s Pasta: The best pasta in Los Angeles.

Chulita: An organic Mexican restaurant with a mezcal/tequila bar.

Market Venice: A modern Italian restaurant.

GLUTEN-FREE:

401K Food and Wine: The entire menu is gluten-free.

Chulita: Cassava flour tortillas.

Moon Juice: Nutrient-rich cold-pressed organic juices and smoothies.

Erewhon Market: The grocery stocks Sweet Laurel’s delicious cakes and baking mixes.

Saints and Sinners Desserts: Gluten-free cupcakes.

The Great White: Gluten-free pizza.

Little Lunch: A small selection of gluten-free donuts and pastries.

DRINK

Gnarwhal: The cardamom latte is my favorite.

Little Lunch: A great coffee shop with free Wifi.

Hooked Venice: Home of the world champion barista artist Nicely Abel.

Moon Juice: Nutrient-rich cold-pressed organic juices.

Wallflower: A modern Indonesian spot serving signature cocktails.

Salt Air: Enjoy eating oysters and drinking rosé by the beach.

Sunny Spot: A popular spot for brunch.

Zinque: Terrific French-inspired food for sharing small plates and a bottle of wine.

The Tasting Kitchen: Reservations are usually required a couple of weeks in advance to get a table, so locals opt to sit in the bar area instead.

Venice Beach Wines: A great selection of natural and organic wines.

Wurstküche: Belgian beer and fries.

Vin on Rose: A natural wine shop.

MARKETS:

Erewhon Market: I never miss an opportunity to stop in Erewhon. The takeaway food bar is so good, serving delicious smoothies and juices.

Mar Vista Farmer’s Market: This is one of the best farmer’s markets in the area. (Sunday mornings)

Gjusta Grocer: The market includes prepared foods, farmer's market produce, specialty groceries, pantry staples, breads & baked goods, wine & beer, coffee, charcuterie, cheese, and more.

SHOP

Living Libations: One of my favorite beauty brands.

Roo Vintage: Vintage clothing and furniture.

The Canal Market: A neighborhood market in Venice featuring locally sourced products.

Parachute: Luxury bedding and linens

Salt: A women’s boutique.

Heist: This carefully curated women’s clothing boutique is brimming with gorgeous, splurge-worthy clothing.

General Store: The LA outpost of this San Francisco store has a world-class mix of clothing, jewelry, and home goods. You’re sure to find something for everybody.

IRO: This place has the best leather, hands down.

Cuyana: My favorite bag and wallet.

Tortoise General Store: Chic homeware made by Japanese artists, books & cards.

DO

Love Yoga: A boutique yoga studio

The Studio (MDR): The Lagree Fitness workout is a total-body program that combines Pilates, cardio training, and weights to create a revolutionary, one-of-a-kind exercise program.

Spier Pilates: A boutique reformer studio.

Bike: Pick up a bike at Jay’s Rentals. Cruise the 22-mile oceanfront Bime Path.

Paddleboarding at the beach: There are many spots along Venice where you can rent a board and head to the beach.

Free Yoga at the Beach: Daily at 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM; Sunset 6:00 PM Monday-Thursday.

Studio Surya Yoga: Venice's bright, airy studio is a local favorite. 

Santa Monica Surf School: The surf school is a fun way for people of all ages to learn to catch a wave. They offer hourly lessons or packages.

Walk: Venice is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in LA. Stroll the Canals and walk down Abbot Kinney and Rose Avenue.

Venice Canals: A fantastic walking tour.

STAY

The Redline Venice Hotel

Stay Open (hostel)

Air BNB

GETTING AROUND:

From the LAX bus terminal, take the Big Blue Bus Santa Monica. Download the TAP app to pay with your mobile device. Cash is not accepted on the bus.

MAP

I created an insider’s Google map that reflects all my recommendations, so you can easily access them throughout your travels. You can save the map with your Google account.

What are some of your favorite places to visit in Venice? Leave your responses in the comment section.

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