Just
south of the Santa Monica Pier is a section
of beach that is considered the original
prototype for a “beach community”.
Covered from end to end in roller-blading
sun worshipers, Venice beach is an excellent
place to spend the afternoon, enjoy some
cheese-covered nachos, and talk to the
interesting people that make the beach
their home.
In the post war years (i.e. the late 1940s
and early 1950s) Venice beach was home
to “the big swing era”. There
were several classic 1950s clubs that
operated out on the end of their Venice
Beach piers (including Kinney Pier). This
gave it a carnival like atmosphere, and
people were willing to celebrate with
both the war and prohibition still vivid
in most people’s memories. The night
was filled with music as big band, swing,
and county western music escaped from
the nightclubs and bars.
Venice beach has always been a place of
art and expression; it was a popular hangout
of the “beat generation” in
the late 1950s and early 1960s, it was
invaded by throngs of hippies during the
infamous “summer of love (the canals
witnessed pot parties, love-ins, and drunken
frenzies in plenty) and was home of several
rock icons. Venice beach was home to Jim
Morrison before fame and fortune took
him into history. The Doors were formed
and you could catch them playing at local
bars. Jim Morrison actually lived in one
of the houses on the Venice canals.
As
well as music, Venice Beach is also home
to many a visual artist. Coming from all
over the world to hand out and practice
their craft, the free spirit and open
attitudes of Venice make an ideal setting
for creativity. A walk around the beach
makes shows you the wide variety of art
studios, galleries, and murals painted
on the buildings.
Venice beach is also home to the famous
“Muscle Beach”, a place where
many people would get together to work
out in the sun shine and increase their
muscle mass. While not as popular today
as it was in the 1970s and 1980s there
is still a notable presence of health
enthusiasts, as well as being several
open-air gyms for the public’s use.
Today, Venice Beach isn’t as busy
as it used to be, but no one there really
seems to mind. The bicycle path is still
filled with people relaxing after a days
work, and the old spirit of the beach
lives on even thought The Doors are long
gone. People line the sidewalks with their
blankets, selling everything from hand
woven baskets to sand paintings, giving
the beach a adventurous feel. If you’re
up for a day of sunshine and good company
then Venice Beach is the place to be.
Venice
Beach Travel Links |
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