Venice Beach Activities

Los Angeles County

Venice Beach, Los Angeles County, California
Venice Beach, Los Angeles County, California

Venice Beach Activities

Los Angeles County


Surfing at Venice Beach

The Venice Breakwater draws surfers from the area, always expecting something different in the break. Located north of the lifeguard headquarters, a rock breakwater parallels the beach just offshore, creating a sandbar that usually generates a consistent, gentle break.

Caution: Check with lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.

The breakwater is considered good spot for beginner and intermediate surfers, but check with lifeguards. Occasionally with the right swells the waves can be hollow and powerful. Rip-currents and rocks are hazards. A specific surfing area is marked with red flags to avoid conflicts with swimmers. Boogie boarding and skim boarding are popular along the beach.

Venice Beach map, Los Angeles County, CA

Ocean Front Walk

The spectacle that defines Venice Beach can usually be found along Ocean Front Walk at the foot of Venice Boulevard and north to Windward Park. The pedestrian walkway extends along the edge of the beach from end to end. For those who would rather stroll than watch the side-show performers, the 2-mile long path provides a great view of Venice Beach. Once beyond the congestion around the Windward Park and the sports areas, walkers enjoy a relaxing amble along the promenade.

Venice Beach Performers

Street performers of all kinds migrate to Venice Beach where they know their acts will attract an eager audience. Expect anything from dancers to snake charmers, chainsaw jugglers to amazing balancing acts. It is considered good etiquette to offer a small donation ($1) for any performance you watch for a period of time or photograph.

Beside the talented performers you will likely encounter a number of oddities. Many are harmless eccentrics, others are best avoided by moving past them with purpose. The number one advice to tourists is to keep close watch of your possessions.

Muscle Beach

Muscle Beach is found two blocks north of Venice Boulevard along Ocean Front Walk. A giant concrete barbell atop the Muscle Beach Gym marks the spot. There are bleachers arranged for spectators to watch body builders and gymnasts work out. The area includes weight lifting equipment along with acrobatic bars, rope climbing, and other gymnastic equipment.

The gym is operated by the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks. A day pass is $10, a week costs $50, and a yearly membership is $170.

Venice Beach - Muscle Beach, Los Angeles County, CA

Venice Beach Basketball

Venice Beach's basketball courts, found between Muscle Beach and Windward Plaza, are famous for the high quality of play. Pick-up games can be intense. Tournaments and leagues at Venice Beach attract top players from across the country. Professional basketball players are known to show up to watch or play.

Basketball court at Venice Beach Skatepark, Los Angeles County, CA

The main attraction court is located in Windward Plaza and draws huge crowds when big games are on the venue. The annual Venice Basketball League in partnership with SPL, a pro-am league, tips off at 12:30 PM on Sundays beginning early June.

Kids Venice Ball is a youth basketball camp for ages 6-13, sponsored by KVBL.
Venice Ball


Venice Beach Skateboard Park

The 16,000-square-foot Venice Beach Skateboard Park is located on the sand next to Windward Park. Smooth concrete pools, and street sections with boxes, ledges, rails and stairs attract everyone from novices to professionals. It is open to the public from 9:00 AM to sunset. There is no entry fee. Safety gear must be worn by skaters. Scooters, BMX, and bikes are not permitted.

Skateboarder at Venice Beach Skatepark, Los Angeles County, CA


Venice Beach Paddle Tennis

The 11 paddle tennis courts at 1800 Ocean Front Walk are open to the public. The courts are smaller than standard tennis courts and paddles are used instead of rackets. Paddles and balls can be picked up for $5 from the nearby Recreation and Parks Office. Except for special events, the courts are first come, first served. The United States Paddle Tennis Association regularly holds tournaments at Venice Beach. Check Venice Paparazzi for updates: Paddle Tennis at Venice Beach.

Venice Beach Handball

4 outdoor handball courts are next to the basketball courts. Like the other facilities, they are open to the public on a first come, first served basis. Among the tournaments held at Venice Beach have been the Big West Shoot-out 3-Wall Big Ball Singles, the Summer Slam (big ball) Doubles, and the Pacific Coast Big Ball Challenge.

Venice Beach Skate Dance Plaza

The Venice Beach Skate Dancers perform to music on roller skates at Skate Dance Plaza (Windward Park). The Venice Beach Skate Dancers have been leaders in skate da to catch their performances. Skaters are welcome to join in the fun.
Venice Beach Skate Dancers


Venice Beach, Los Angeles County, CA


Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding is allowed south of Ketch Street, which is beyond the Venice Fishing Pier and well down toward the end of the beach.

Surfing Lessons and Camps

Venice Beach Surf School
Surfing lessons, stand-up paddleboard lessons, surf camp, paddleboard camp, adult camps
Venice Beach Surf School


Venice Beach Surf Camp
Kids' summer day camp - activities include skim boarding, nature walks, surfing, boogie boarding, paddleboarding, and swimming. For ages 5 -15
Private and group surf lessons available
Venice Beach Surf Camp

Aqua Surf School, Inc.
Private and group lessons scheduled anytime from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, every day, year-round. Lessons for anyone age 4 through adult, from beginners to advanced levels. Surfboards and wetsuits provided. 1, 1½, and 2-hour lessons. Week-long surf camps for ages 6 - 17 at Venice Beach from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM all summer long.
Aqua Surf School, Inc.

Venice Fishing Pier

The Venice Fishing Pier extends 1,310 feet into Santa Monica Bay, with plenty of room along its length for anglers. The pier is open from 6:00 AM to midnight. Sections of the pier have 28-inch high railings for use by people in wheelchairs, while the rest of the railings are at a standard 41-inch height. A sandy bottom is found along the first half of the pier while out toward the end an artificial rock reef was deposited. At its tip is a circular area, providing more room for fishermen.

Anglers land a wide range of fish from the Venice Pier: guitarfish, croaker, corbina, surfperch, halibut, mackerel, jacksmelt, stingrays, bonito, kelp bass, sharks, and barracuda. Among the most popular baits are bloodworms, mussels, sand crabs, anchovy, and squid.

Facilities on the pier include fish cleaning stations, lights, and benches. Restrooms are found on shore near the parking lot.

Venice Fishing Pier, Venice Beach, Los Angeles County, CA

Venice Oceanarium

The Venice Oceanarium describes itself as a museum without walls. They host events on Venice Pier and on the beach with the mission of offering to the public a better understanding of the ocean and marine life. On most Sundays you will find an exhibit set up on the pier from about 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Every year they host a reading of Moby Dick on the beach. When the grunion are running, the Oceanarium hosts a Grunion Party, inviting everyone to the beach to see the run of hundreds of silvery fish. They also have school programs and boat trips.
Venice Oceanarium

Venice Beach Drum Circle

The Venice Beach Drum Circle evolved on its own, created by people with a common interest in drums and rhythms and from a desire to express themselves in an unstructured musical forum. They usually gather on the weekends on the beach at the foot of Brooks Avenue. Come experience the joy of their rhythms.

Nearby Activities, Attractions, and Events

The Venice Fest

June 24, 2023
noon to 8:00 PM, 12257 Venice Blvd.
Shopping, food, drinks, dance
Venice Fest

Westminster Dog Park

1234 Pacific Avenue at Westminster
Only a block from the beach.

Abbott Kinney Boulevard

Restaurants, bars, salons, clothing shops, food trucks, boutiques, and art galleries.

Venice Canals

After restoration, canals are back in Venice. Walk along streets bound by South Venice Blvd., Pacific, Ocean, and Washington Blvd.
Or join a guided walking tour: Venice Beach Walking Tours

Venice Beach Murals

Take a self-guided tour of Venice Beach's famous murals found on the sides of local buildings.
Find a preview of the tour at Navy and Rose on the concrete barrier that separates the parking lot from Ocean Front Walk.
Public Art in LA - Venice

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Ocean Safety

California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly." Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety