🌴Venice Beach Travel Guide｜1 Day in California’s Most Chill Coast! Ready?☀️
Your complete Venice Beach itinerary — best hotels, brunch cafés, and must-see landmarks all in one guide🌴
Hi there, I’m Hattie 👋 This time on my USA trip, my very first stop was the iconic California beach destination loved by so many — Venice Beach!
Of course, there are way too many beaches in California to visit them all 😂 but I managed to go to Venice, Santa Monica, and Malibu — each with its own charm. So in this post, let’s start with the one I think should be your first stop on any California itinerary — Venice Beach!
🛏 Venice V Hotel — A Chic Industrial Hotel Right by the Beach
If, like me, you love waking up to the ocean view in Venice Beach, Venice V Hotel is your dream stay!
It’s literally right next to the beach — step out the door and you’re on the sand. The price is friendlier than most ocean-view hotels in Santa Monica, yet the quality is top-notch ✨
The rooms feature beautiful industrial-style design, with thoughtful details throughout.
And the best parts?
🧴Full set of Aesop toiletries (a detail that makes it one of the best boutique hotels in Venice Beach).
🚘On-site parking lot (paid) — super convenient if you’re driving, since parking near Venice is notoriously tough.
🏝️Easy day trips to Santa Monica and Malibu — both just a short drive away.
✅ If you’re looking for where to stay in Venice Beach, I highly recommend this one for travelers who love chic design and comfort.
Click here to check prices & availability
Related article : Other great California hotels ⬇️
🌴California Budget Travel Guide｜5 Affordable Hotels You’ll Love 💕
🏖 Venice Beach — Wide, Free, and Effortlessly Photogenic
Venice Beach Los Angeles quickly became one of my favorite beaches in California.
It’s wide, long, and never feels crowded — you can easily capture those serene “just you and the ocean” shots. It’s the definition of California beach vibes 🏝️
There’s a walking & biking path along the beach, perfect for a sun-soaked stroll or ride while soaking in that “living in a movie” feeling ✨
👉 Note: Some street artists or installations charge a small fee for photos — best to ask first (or just admire from afar 😆)
📍Don’t miss the Venice Sign!
It’s tucked among shops and not super obvious, but once you spot it, you have to take a photo 📸
The sign lights up beautifully at night — come around sunset for the best vibe!
📍Location: Pacific Ave & Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
🍴 Great White — The Must-Try Brunch Spot (That Blue Smoothie Bowl!)
If you’re into brunch, you can’t skip Great White Venice Beach, one of the most popular cafés in Los Angeles.
We went to their Venice branch, which has way fewer people than the main one but serves the exact same menu — instant win 👏
🥣 Blue Smoothie Bowl
Totally worth the hype! Refreshing, tangy, and not overly sweet — perfect for summer and Instagram-worthy 💙
🐟 Salmon Mezz
Fresh salmon with colorful onions — light yet satisfying. Perfect for sharing between two.
📍Great White Venice: 1604 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA
✅ If you’re searching for the best brunch in Venice Beach, this one’s 100% worth it!
🛍 Abbot Kinney Blvd — The Coolest Designer Street in LA
After brunch, take a walk down Abbot Kinney Boulevard, one of the trendiest shopping streets in Los Angeles.
You’ll find brands like Everlane, Vuori, rag & bone, plus many local designer shops. It’s chic but not overly commercial ✨
Prices are a bit higher than average, but the browsing experience is so enjoyable — you might discover something truly unique.
Most stores open around 10–11 AM, so I recommend visiting in the afternoon. After 5 PM, the restaurants start to fill up and the street takes on a cozy nighttime vibe 🍷
🚨 Safety Tips — Fine by Day, Head Back Early at Night
Venice Beach is vibrant and safe during the day — full of sunshine and good vibes ☀️
But at night, you might catch a whiff of “that smell” (you know what I mean 😅) or encounter some eccentric characters.
Best to head back to your hotel by 8 PM — take a long shower with your Aesop bath set and relax. That’s the real California beach life 🌙
📝 Hattie’s Final Thoughts — Venice: The Chillest Start to California
Venice Beach California was our first stop on this West Coast road trip, and I instantly fell in love with its sunshine and sense of freedom.
It’s wide, open, and gives you that perfect first impression of California — just the right mix of relaxed and beautiful.
If you’re planning a California beach itinerary, definitely include Venice Beach in your route 🏄♀️
Whether you want dreamy beach photos, trendy brunch cafés, or a stylish ocean-view stay — Venice has it all!
🔗I’ve linked all the hotels and restaurants mentioned — feel free to check prices or book early.
And if you have any questions, drop me a comment — I’d love to help! 🙌
👀 More brains, fits & trips on IG 👉
