Venice

Nestled between Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica, Venice stands out as one of the most iconic beachside communities on the West Coast. Known for its free-spirited atmosphere, Venice boasts a vibrant surfing and skating culture, lively street performances on the bohemian Venice Boardwalk, and popular shops along Abbot Kinney Boulevard. The community also offers reputable farm-to-table restaurants and a lifestyle focused on wellness and outdoor activities. 

 

Venice’s laid-back and inclusive vibe welcomes people from all walks of life, attracting artists, designers, sports enthusiasts, and progressive professionals. "Venice is really a soulful artist community and the creative mecca of Los Angeles," says Tami Pardee, founder of Pardee Properties and the Life Change Warriors Foundation. "It's weird and fun, and it's a place for real people where you can be yourself."

 

Reflecting the neighborhood's creative spirit, homes in Venice often feature small courtyards and vibrant colors, including shades of green, blue, aquamarine, and yellow, contrasted by neutral tones like white, terra cotta, and beige. The landscape is dotted with Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Revivals, duplexes, and multi-unit buildings, adding to the area's diversity.

 

Most home prices in Venice start around $1.5 million for a 1,000-square-foot beach cottage or a 1950s surf shack. Two-story properties begin at $2 million and can reach up to $10 million. Contemporary villas over 3,000 square feet often feature open floor plans, large glass panels, backyard pools, and views of the waterfront or the canals, with prices reaching up to $14.6 million.

 

Start your day with a visit to Intelligentsia for a cup of fair-trade coffee. For groceries, head to the farmers market or Whole Foods Market, and don’t forget to pick up a fresh bouquet at Flowerboy Project. For a more relaxed shopping experience, drive to the famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Here, you can explore popular shops like Burro for unique home goods, Heist, and Tortoise General Store. Vintage enthusiasts will love Artist & Fleas, a marketplace curated by fashion experts and vintage vendors. For dinner, consider making a reservation at Felix Trattoria for upscale Italian cuisine. The Rose Venice is a chic spot offering farm-to-table Southern California fare, perfect for a meal, coffee, or cocktails. The Butcher’s Daughter and Café Gratitude provide casual vegan dining options. For larger shopping needs, Target is located a few miles away in Culver City.

 

Venice Beach offers residents a variety of water activities, including surfing, boating, paddle boarding, and kayaking. The beach features a fishing pier, bike paths, playgrounds, and a famous skating park, making it a popular spot for locals, visitors, and film crews. Take a bike ride along the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, which stretches along the coastline from Santa Monica to Torrance. The Venice Beach Recreation Center offers facilities for basketball and tennis, and Westminster Dog Park is perfect for off-leash fun with pets. Bodybuilders can work out at the Muscle Beach Venice Gym. "There are yoga, dance classes, roller skating, surfing, and skateboarding; there’s something for everyone here, and that’s the beauty of Venice," says Tami Pardee, founder of Pardee Properties.

 

Residents can enjoy various recreational activities, such as hunting for street murals, visiting the vintage Townhouse Venice bar from 1915, and taking quiet strolls along the Venice Canals to admire the waterfront homes. For lively street performances, head to the Venice Beach Boardwalk. The Venice Fest is a summer market showcasing some of Los Angeles’ most sought-after artists and brands, offering food and drinks from local vendors. The Abbot Kinney Fest attracts approximately 150,000 visitors with over 350 artisanal vendors. This festival celebrates Venice's culture and lifestyle with live performances, food, beer gardens, and carnival rides for children.

 

For primary education, Coeur D'Alene Avenue School and Broadway Elementary School are rated A-minus by Niche. Mark Twain Middle School scores a B, while Venice High School, rated A, is known for its advanced academic programs, including law, arts, dual language, sports medicine academies, and the STEMM magnet program.

 

Venice is well-served by Metro and the Big Blue Bus, both of which offer extensive bus networks throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California. Metro also provides rail services for commuters heading to downtown Los Angeles. Santa Monica, Los Angeles International Airport, and Beverly Hills are all within 10 miles of Venice and accessible via local roads. Interstate 10 takes commuters to downtown Los Angeles in about 15 miles, and Torrance is approximately 18 miles south via Interstate 405. Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital is about 2 miles away, ensuring residents have access to top-notch healthcare.