Theresa's Mixed Nuts: Some Girls Just Have Venice Beach In Their Soul

Monday, June 11, 2018

Some Girls Just Have Venice Beach In Their Soul

I know, it took a year, but I finally finished weeding through my Cali pics and I'm now ready to get the rest of them posted here. When we were planning our trip, I went back and forth on putting Venice Beach on our itinerary. From what I was reading from other blogs and even some of my family and friends that have been there, I was getting the impression it was a nasty rat hole with nothing but beggers and homeless dirtying up the area. We were told, "keep your kids close, don't take valuables with you, try to avoid the sketchy people." Now, honestly, can't that be said for a lot of places around the U.S.? I mean, we just wrapped up a few days on the Vegas Strip where it's pretty well policed for cleanliness and keeping the beggars to a minimum, and while there we saw a lady pull her pants down in broad daylight and do her business right in the middle of the busy sidewalk. That's not even something I've ever seen happen in Chicago, and with all the bad press that city gets, you would expect it there. I think with all of the bad reviews, I didn't have high hopes for a pleasant Venice Beach experience.

Venice Beach Sign


We did want to head to the Santa Monica Pier, so we booked an AirBNB that was just 3 blocks from there. We got lucky because our rental house offered 4 bikes, and while old and rickety, got us to the beach just fine. There's a wide pathway you can walk or ride along that goes from the Santa Monica Pier through Venice Beach, so we decided to ride though both areas and get a feel for the area before tackling it on foot. To my surprise, I thought the area looked quite interesting.

Venice Beach


Now, yes, there were quite a few homeless camping out in the area, but not once was I approached by anyone and not once did I feel unsafe walking around the area with the girls. What I did see was an eclectic mix of people minding their own business, doing their own thing.
 
Venice Beach

Venice Beach

Street performers:



People displaying their own original works of art. I do believe I made my Barbie Styling Head look quite similar to his work though, when I was a toddler :)


Lots of places to shop for trinkets, souvineers, medical needs, and tasty treats:

Venice Beach

Venice Beach

Venice Beach

Venice Beach

Venice Beach

Grab some friends and drink and ride your way around the area on a Barcycle...

Barcycle

We did have to take a minute to appreciate the sweaty hunks working out at Muscle Beach. Well, not so much Jason, but I sure did.

Muscle Beach, Venice

Muscle Beach, Venice

I'm glad I didn't listen to the negative reviews of Venice Beach because I enjoyed the area so much, I went back 2 more times before we had to fly home. We did only cruise the area in broad daylight, and even though I felt perfectly safe there, I would not recommend venturing out into the area after dusk because I'm sure there are sketchy folk wandering around then. However, I did make Jason take me back at night because I wanted to see the sign lit up.

Venice Beach Sign

If you're planning a trip to the area, don't discount Venice Beach based on internet reviews. If you don't mind strolling the area with a wide mix of people, it's a cool spot to experience. And be sure to check out the El Bordello Alexandra Apartments and Venice Beach Canals. Both are a must see!


Do you like exploring beach towns?




33 comments:

  1. I see they had the little lifeguard house painted in pride colors. As a painter, I don't envy the ones who had to make the art come to life. Kinda like making crafts with the American flag painted, trying to make everything look perfect is more complicated than you'd first think.

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    1. I agree. One slight slip up and you have a backlash of offended people. It must be quite stressful when commissioned for those kinds of jobs.

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  2. Never saw a bar like that before. Gotta love that green health care lol sounds like if you go in the day and take your time, can be grand indeed.

    I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go. At least she could have used an alley haha

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    1. Gives a whole new meaning to drinking and driving. I'm not sure I'd want to peddle around all tipsy though lol

      It was a total WTF!? moment seeing her pop a squat and do her business for all to see. I imagine the casinos and such don't allow them to enter to use the facilities though, so they just go wherever.

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  3. Does this mean we will be hearing about Paris till 2022? :P
    That biatch Cassandra mentions Venice Beach a couple of time in her book.

    That lady playing the piano on the beach should be proclaimed the queen of the Venetian Republic indeed!

    Lady Jade looks so grown up on that photo, I can only imagine how she looks this summer, probably like a college girl.

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    1. I guess Cassandra doesn't have you sold on Venice Beach then? ;)
      Yes, you'll probably be hearing about Europe for at least 3 years lol
      If I go back, I'll be sure to bestow upon piano lady her proper title.
      Allison is short, so thankfully she still looks age appropriate in person. I do worry for her as she is going to turn into such a beauty in the next few years (and that's not just the mama in me talking.) She's already got older boys trying to come a courting, but we ain't having none of that! :(

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    2. Just show them a photo of her nasty room and they will run for the road as if there's no tomorrow!

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    3. I'm sure their rooms are just as nasty though. Teens are just a nasty species in general :P

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  4. I love the "no stupid shit" sign, and man there's lots of activity. We don't live near a beach, near the mountains, or near a waterfall. :( There's rivers and lots of grassland here. It is nice that you can see for miles when you're diving around. Other places trees block the view. I'd love to explore a beach town right about now.

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    1. Isn't that sign great? I wanted to take it home with me. We don't live near anything like that either. The joy of living in the Midwest, eh?

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  5. It is a place with personality and no Kardashians I assume. I would love to go to a different beach like that and if I ever get back to the left coast I will keep it in mind.

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    1. I didn't see any Kardashians, so I think it's safe to say you won't be running into any of them there lol.

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  6. My husband and I were discussing going to California for our 10th anniversary. He wants a winery/food experience. I want the beach and great views. I hadn't considered Venice Beach, but this is making me think again.

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    1. Congrats on your 10 year anniversary! Why not do a few days in wine country, then take a road trip up the coast for the beach views? That sounds like a win, win for you both :)

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  7. Even if you don't have Venice Beach in your blood now, all you have to do is go there! I did, and now it's in me forever.

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    1. It's nice to see someone who has been there and agrees with me ;)

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  8. There is a great variety of beaches in SoCal. I'm glad you got some good pictures and enjoyed your stay.

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    1. There truly are. I think Cali has some amazing beaches, for sure!

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  9. If I'm around, I will be doing the same thing, Theresa. What a beautiful beach..and so colorful!

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    1. I am still itching to get to see your beautiful beaches in Indonesia. I'm sure they are unmatched with all of the others in the world.

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  10. I haven't ever been to the West Coast, but seriously now I want to go. Looks like Venice Beach is a wonderful place to visit this summer!

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    1. I hope you get to explore it for yourself some day!

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  11. Venice Beach is so alive with all kinds of activities and people. I think it would be exciting to take it all in!

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  12. I love this beach already. There are so many interesting people! A lady with her piano on a trailer. Wow. I could just sit there and listen to her play. If we ever get to travel to the West Coast this summer, I would want to be in Venice Beach for at least a day or two!

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  13. I would love to visit Venice Beach! It's just so full of life and color!

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  14. Now, THIS is a travel photo diary I could read over and over again. Your photographs are stunning and it totally looks like you enjoyed your time despite other people's recommendations.

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  15. I remember going to Venice Beach when I was a kid, but haven't been since I've been an adult. So many interesting people and things there!

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  16. Toni | Boulder LocavoreJune 13, 2018 at 1:58 AM

    Wow! Love the colors, arts, and very lively people! Such a fun place to ecperience art!

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  17. This post makes me super excited for our move to California. I cannot wait to see all the state has to offer and I can't wait to visit Venice Beach.

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  18. Im one of the girls who have Venice Beach in their souls. I went a few years ago for only 20 mins, locals can give it a bad rep but I like it because its essentric like me!

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  19. I'm not adverse to strolling any town, hahaha. :) I'd love to get out to the west coast. The furthest I've been is Vegas. I feel like there's so much more to see! I'd definitely like to see a few cities in California. We'd also like to get to Washington State.

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  20. I'm glad you had a good time. I was there once a long time ago and had a good time.

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  21. I've never been to Cali, let alone Venice Beach but it looks like an interesting place. I like to "people watch" so I'd be entertained.

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