Venice Beach

Originally developed in 1905 by Abbot Kinney, an ex-cigarette manufacturer who relocated to Los Angeles, the area around Ballona Creek was intended to attract Los Angeles's urban populace to live by the ocean. Based on the canals in Venice, the developers hoped to create a European/Bohemian atmosphere by the sea.

Today, the area around Venice Boardwalk, which is locally-known as Venice Beach, attracts thousands of Angelenos and tourists every week who come to soak up the party atmosphere. Venice Boardwalk is also known as the Ocean Front Walk, and is home to hundreds of street performers, including jugglers, palm readers, buskers, snake charmers, fire-eaters, cyclists and roller skaters. Muscle Beach, which is situated close by, is just as famous for its legendary weightlifters who work out daily in the sun.