Local’s Guide to Venice Ocean Front Walk
A visit to Los Angeles seems incomplete without a visit to the eclectic Venice Ocean Front Walk. It’s a great place to visit that offers a host of fun activities which you can indulge in. To the east of this cemented boardwalk, are some excellent restaurants and souvenir shops where not only do you get to taste some great Californian cuisine but also have the opportunity to buy some great souvenirs to remember your trip to Venice.
It’s important to keep an open mind when on the boardwalk as you are likely to encounter several conspiracy theorists, fortune tellers and god knows what else. Most of them are just in it to make a buck or two, just try and enjoy the experience and don’t pay too much attention to some person who’s blabbering about the end of the world. He probably just watched the movie 2012.
There are some excellent performance artists located on or near this boardwalk such as the guy who walks on glass and the whacky turban wearing electric guitar player. You are likely to encounter some very strange people when on the boardwalk and who knows maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to see the local escape artist work his magic.
Once you’re done with the boardwalk, you should definitely check out the many tattoo parlors and Tee shirt vendors or you can decide to just sit on the beach and relax. If you’re the type who loves physical activities then Venice beach is the place for you. You can indulge in a variety of different sports such as surfing, basketball, volleyball and even tone up your physique on the famous muscle beach outdoor gym. This is the place where famous bodybuilders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dave Draper used to come to tone their physiques. The basketball courts located at Venice are legendary for the talented individuals who come there to hone their skills, many a NBA pro has been recruited off from these very courts.
Parking
As with any recreational spot, parking is one of the most important aspects to consider when visiting such a place. There are quite a few parking spots to be found near Venice such as on North Venice Boulevard and Rose Avenue. The average parking fee is in between $5 to $7 but is usually set higher on the weekends.
Nearby Attractions
The Ocean Front Walk is not the only famous Venice attraction; there are loads of other famous places to visit as well. Such as the Venice canals, these canals are ideally situated near some beautifully sculpted houses and feature some stunning arched bridges and the occasional gondolier (a slim Italian boat); all the above mentioned things when coupled together with the beautiful LA weather make it a great place to visit.
For all those Shopaholics out there, there’s no reason to worry Venice has something to offer for everyone. The famous Abbott Kinney Boulevard is one of the best known places to shop at while in LA. It is home to some very well known boutiques, jewelry, perfumes and book shops. Abbott Kinney Boulevard is the ideal place to see how the eccentric mixes in with the traditional. It’s a must visit place for all the shoppers out there.
