Venice Beach is described as a haven for the artistic and creative...I would tend to agree with this, given some of the amazing street art, murals and musical performances...however i’d probably chuck in “...and for the pot heads and eccentrics!” really lovely vibe to the town, laid back and chilled out people. The promenade feels like how we imagined San Francisco may have been back in the 70s.
The promenade is bustling with shops, bars and street performers. It’s really good for people watching and entertainment, but it’s a real mixed bag from talented musicians and artists to just a chap walking around in his speedos with a boom box on his shoulder or a chap selling two jokes for a dollar (good value though, it was one joke for dollar in New York). Note to anyone visiting Venice Beach, there’s lots of a street performance to see on the promenade, but if you are going to stop and watch you have to be prepared to pay!
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| Promenade near the beach |
We started this morning by shooting some B-ball on the courts, just past muscle beach (a small caged courtyard with gym equipment and oily swartznigger wannabes)...I have to say Arran was looking like a semi-pro (playing basketball that is) while I tried to profile my best netballing skills! We ate lunch watching a couple of street basketball games. Apparently basketball scouts for the NBA regularly hang out here to spot potential future stars.
A really beautiful part of town is the Venice Canals area. Apparently its one of the most sought after property areas in LA. I’m not surprised, it’s seems like an idyllic setting – just off the main promenade and you receive an optional row boat for commuting to and from your house. A lot of celebrities are meant to own properties around the canal.
A really beautiful part of town is the Venice Canals area. Apparently its one of the most sought after property areas in LA. I’m not surprised, it’s seems like an idyllic setting – just off the main promenade and you receive an optional row boat for commuting to and from your house. A lot of celebrities are meant to own properties around the canal.
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| Lovely house on the canal |
The murals in Venice beach are pretty spectacular. We walked past one young chap beginning to paint a wall in the morning and by the afternoon it was finished with a queue of people queuing up to take pictures. Apparently the wall changes every day and anyone can go up and have a go. There’s a massive mural of Jim Morrison just around the corner from his former home.
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| Jim Morrison, Speedway Street |
We’ve spent most of our time so far on the beach – three miles of lovely white sands and blue sunny skies! There’s no better place for chilling out, listening to your iPod and reading a good book.
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| Venice Beach |
Looking forward to celebrating Hogmany here. It’s early evening now, so we’re just getting ready to go out for something to eat and some drinks before heading over to Marina del Rey to see the New Year in with fireworks and bubbly. Happy New Year everyone!
