Me and my boyfreind are going to VENICE BEACH in July where do I go to eat, hang out, stay?

Question

First time there, (we live in california just never been to venice)

Answer 1

You will get the best accommodations in Venice by looking for short-term rentals on home/apartments on Craigslist.com. July is a great time to visit Venice - the "June gloom" should be gone and it will be 20 degrees cooler than the rest of LA.

For the best restaurant reco's try Citysearch.com. Not sure what you're into - funky, upscale, cheap - but there are plenty of choices and a LOT of great happy hours in Venice that start around 4PM every weekday.

Different neighborhoods to explore:

1. The beachfront. This is where the aforementioned freaks tend to hang out. The restaurants here are not so great but I can recommend the Waterfront (at the corner of Rose). Good burgers and German beer, and a good view. It's fun to rent bikes and ride on the bike paths in either direction. If you're feeling ambitious you can actually go south 12 miles or so to Manhattan Beach (although the path gets tricky around Marina del Rey so get directions from the rental place if you want to try this). Or go north to Santa Monica Pier and Malibu.

2. Main Street. This has a ton of restaurants and shops. Start around Rose and head north towards Santa Monica (walking). The World Cafe is pretty good, or try the lunchtime Bento boxes at Chaya Venice. The Rose Cafe (on Rose just east of Main Street) is also a longtime classic - try the Eggs Benedict for weekend brunches here.

3. Abbott Kinney. My personal favorite neighborhood in Venice. This neighborhood is more upscale, artsy, and trendy than other parts of Venice and many of the best restaurants (Hals, Lily's, etc.) are to be found here. Lots of boutique shops with hand-made paper products, offbeat furnishings/home decor, art books, etc.

Have fun!

Answer 2

I agree with a previous poster that many of the hotels in the Venice area are . . . . "interesting." I would recommend staying in Marina del Rey (adjacent to Venice - really just across the street) where everything from the Four Seasons to the Mariott to Oakwood Suites is located.

There are some great places to eat at the end of Washington Blvd. at the beach (very near the infamous Venice boardwalk area). A personal favorite is Gaby's Mediterranean - a delicious and extremely cheap Lebanese place.

Answer 3

I FREAKING LOVE VENICE BEACH.... there is truth to what some of your other answer authors say.

There are some homeless, there are some dirty areas, but the board walk is something everyone should go and see. I used to hang out there for hours on end. There is amazing artist, a real diverse set of people... I love it there. The culture in Venice is very laid back, on the board walk your gonna have $1 slices of pizza, or very cheep foods. there are some restaurants on the board walk you can sit and eat at. If you like you can go up about a mile or so to the 3rd street promenade where it is more like an upscale out door mall.

Answer 4

"Freak show" is rather harsh. I prefer "diverse, interesting, and entertaining poplulation".

Nothing says Venice Beach like the original Hot Dog On a Stick, located just to the north, just south of Santa Monica Pier. Get a big cup of Lemonade to go with it.

As for hanging out, feel free to check out the shops, entertainers, and restaurants by day, but get out by night time. It gets a bit too dangereous then.

Try the Holiday Inn or Loew's Hotel in Santa Monica, if you are staying the night.

Answer 5

Of course Venice is a freak show! That's the point!

However, if you find it objectionable, then do go to the crass and obviously touristy Santa Monica Pier, Malibu or one of the south bay beaches.

Enjoy.

Answer 6

To be honest, Venice beach isn't really that great. It's a freak show, full of weirdos and bums. It's dirty and trashy. You are much better off going to Santa Monica Beach or further south to Redondo or Hermosa. Those are very nice beach towns full of young people just having fun.

Answer 7

Been, and would have to pay me to go back. Have the same thing in Florida, and we have a Venice Beach also, water is warmer, and beaches nicer.

Answer 8

Sheila---ditto what Obviousman above said...that is what I was going to say...but he types faster----LOL

Yikes cabindwellers comment above cracks me up--the bike path between Venice Beach and Manhattan Beach "gets tricky"at Marina Del Rey..----unless I am mistaken how about non-existent

Answer 9

depends on what you want to eat...fast food or restraurant
there are alot to choose from...venice beach is awesome!

Answer 10

if u like trash, freaks, daytime gangbangers then enjoy your heart out. if u make it alive, youre very lucky