Venice is a fun place to visit, but the surf sucks. You can go literally any direction any distance on any swell and get better surf.
Was there this time last year and was underwhelmed. With both with the surf and things to do. You should scrounge for needles in the trash cans with the rest of the local populous. At least the lowest common denominator of humanity is concentrated in a few mile stretch.
I agree with everyone else. If you skip it, you won't miss a thing. Weak surf, dirty beach, smug people everywhere
Venice had the P.O.P. Pier until about the mid 1970's, I've read it used to be a decent surf spot. But now, it's gone and the surrounding beach pretty much blows goats. Head south to Segundo or PV, or north towards Mali-zoo and *Ventura*.
Agreed. It's basically the worst elements of Manhattan, but on the beach, and all the terrible people are half-naked.
The skatepark is ridiculous amount of fun if and when its ever empty and I scored super clean chest high surf there. No complaints. My suggestion, is bring all your boards with you, park some 8 miles from the water, and float the canals
Go south. Don't come up here. Ventura is a long way to drive just to have your tires slashed and windows waxed. The rich f*ks in Malibu or south of the airport won't risq their trust funds just to smash up your rental car.
Drugs... so much drugs being done there. During my first and only trip to Cali, stopped by Venice beach and people were asking for $ to buy pot and smoking while police were right next to them. Festivals are the only other times I have seen this. Was having lunch outside on the boardwalk and a dude that was 100% on acid came up to us and shouted out jibberish before moving on. [video=youtube;BceHGzsDVLY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BceHGzsDVLY[/video]
