Where Sun-Soaked Boardwalks, Bohemian Energy and Boundary-Pushing Creativity Collide

Venice Beach isn’t just a place—it’s a state of mind. Tucked between Santa Monica’s polish and Marina del Rey’s calm, this colorful enclave pulses with grit, glamour and unfiltered creativity. Where else can you start your morning with a cortado and a cold plunge, spend the afternoon surfing or strolling past murals and end the night sipping natural wine in a sushi bar draped in florals? 

Locals live at the intersection of wellness and weirdness, and visitors quickly catch on to the free-spirited charm. Whether you’re spending a weekend in Venice Beach or just stopping through, this guide maps out where to stay, sip, shop and explore—all with that in-the-know, lived-in touch.

 

STAY

For travelers craving laid-back luxury with a local twist, Venice Beach delivers a medley of standout stays. First up, The Venice Beach House, a storied Craftsman estate listed on the National Register of Historic Places, feels like a secret garden in the middle of the action. Built in 1911, this nine-room charmer blends historic elegance with casual beach vibes. Meander through its lush gardens—lovingly dubbed “The Oasis of Venice Beach”—then head just beyond the gate to dip your toes in the Pacific.

One block from the beach, Gjelina Hotel offers a more modern take on hospitality with 27 design-forward rooms and suites. Operated by the acclaimed Gjelina Group, it’s effortlessly integrated into the Venice lifestyle. Guests can expect one-of-a-kind furnishings, hyper-local amenities and seamless access to Gjelina’s neighboring restaurants, grocer, flower shop and more. It’s a stylish, community-driven stay for those who want to feel like they belong.

For a touch of Hollywood-meets-surf culture, check into Venice V Hotel. Set in the landmark Waldorf building—where Charlie Chaplin once slept—this Proper Hospitality property channels boho glam with themed rooms (artist, athlete, sun lover), beach cruiser perks and a rooftop that feels straight out of a film.

 

DINE + DRINK

Venice’s culinary scene mirrors its vibe: bold, healthy and a little bit wild. Start your day with a Wake & Bake special from The Butcher’s Daughter—$10 gets you a breakfast sandwich and a latte with rose cardamom or honey lavender. Come back for Wild Wine Wednesdays or DJ sets on weekends, when the indoor-outdoor eatery pulses with energy.

Si! Mon brings a fresh take to Central American cuisine, where Panamanian roots meet LA’s diverse flavors. The tropical courtyard, intimate back casita and buzzing bar scene make for a dynamic dining experience that evolves throughout the night.

At Great White, the Venice restaurant location delivers Aussie-inspired all-day fare just steps from the sand. Whether you’re noshing on a smoked salmon pizza or spooning into the sourdough bread pudding, this airy cafe serves up photogenic plates and Venice-perfect people watching.

Gjelina on Abbot Kinney is the OG of Venice’s vegetable-forward, wood-fired movement. Despite its cult status and ever-rotating seasonal menu, it still stuns. Go for the charred radicchio or saffron spaghetti and stay for the candlelit magic that transforms the space as the sun sets.

If your cravings lean Japanese, Wabi on Rose in Venice is your pick. Plush pink booths and floral-lined walls set the stage for inventive sushi rolls, sashimi gardens and cheeky cocktails. It’s as much a vibe as it is a meal. But if seafood is your jam, don’t skip Dudley Market, where much of the fish is caught by the restaurant’s own crew. Sit near the window with a glass of natural wine and watch the sun melt into the ocean.

 

COFFEE SHOPS

Fuel up at Menotti’s Coffee Stop on Windward Ave, where a vinyl soundtrack and secret menu pair perfectly with a cortado or Venice Beach cappuccino. Locals line up for the Way To Bee—a dreamy combo of oat milk, CBD and honey.

Prefer to sip and shop? Saba Surf Café blends surf culture with third-wave coffee, serving regeneratively grown espresso and weekend bites from Tartine. Grab a banana bread and browse surfboards by top local shapers while waiting for your cold brew.

 

BOUTIQUES 

For a fashion fix, Principessa defines Venice-chic with its curated collection of designers and indie labels. Down the block, Burro is your one-stop shop for beautiful books, quirky cards and the kind of hostess gifts you’ll want to keep for yourself.

For anyone who loves a good thrift, Artists & Fleas pops up every Saturday on Abbot Kinney, where 50+ makers and vintage vendors transform a school lot into a buzzing open-air market. It’s equal parts shopping spree and creative community gathering.

Last (but certainly not least!), Flowerboy Project is a floral-forward haven that merges espresso, donuts and dreamy bouquets under one sun-drenched roof. It’s impossible to walk out of this Venice boutique empty-handed.

 

ACTIVITIES

Start your morning with a stroll along the Venice Canals, where charming footbridges and serene reflections feel a world away from the boardwalk buzz. Then head to HUME—a design-centric wellness club that’s reimagined what the modern gym can be. From cold plunges and hammams to sensory-driven recovery lounges, this new space is about slowing down, not speeding up.

At Likeminded, contrast therapy (cold plunge + infrared sauna) gets social. This outdoor wellness spot is more about ritual and connection than reps, with mood-boosting amenities and community vibes baked in.

For a Venice Beach activity that’s off the beaten path, don’t miss a Saturday tour at the Mosaic Tile House. This is riotous work of living art created by two local artists who transformed their home into a technicolor mosaic masterpiece. Every corner here tells a story.

Wrap up your weekend at The Cook’s Garden, an urban farm and animal sanctuary. They offer organic gardening workshops, chef collabs and music-driven community events. Whether you’re petting rescued bunnies or learning how to build a compost bin, it’s a joyful, dirt-under-your-nails kind of place that makes Venice feel like home.