Venice Beach is a beachfront neighborhood in Los Angeles, California that welcomes millions of annual visitors. This picturesque area is famous for its serene beaches, Italy-inspired canals, and bustling boardwalks. It’s one of Southern California’s best spots to visit in the summer when the Ocean Front Walk is littered with performance artists, fortune tellers, vendors, and other captivating characters. The area has plenty to offer in the way of public amenities, including a wide range of noteworthy cafes, restaurants, and shops. There are also biking and jogging trails, and sports courts where you can have some fun while exercising. Book a stay at a Venice Beach vacation rental today. Check out the most vibrant neighborhoods in and around Venice Beach.
1. Hollywood
Hollywood is Los Angeles’ premier vacation destination. If you really want to experience the glitz and glamor of the “City of Angels,” look for vacation rentals in this iconic neighborhood. While you’re in Tinseltown, be sure to visit Universal Studios for a glimpse behind the scenes of your favorite movies, as well as some thrilling rides and characters at the amusement park. Take a stroll down the Walk of Fame to see the sidewalk stars of all your favorite celebrities, and then catch the latest blockbuster at the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
2. Echo Park
One of Los Angeles’ most vibrant yet underrated neighborhoods, Echo Park is a wonderful place to rent a vacation home. Pack a picnic and enjoy a leisurely day by the water at Echo Park Lake, or rent a pedal boat, gondola, or canoe for an aquatic adventure. Elysian Park offers some of the best hiking and views in the city, and, if you’re traveling with a four-legged friend, it’s a great place to bring your dog. Baseball fans are sure to have a blast watching a Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium.
3. Santa Monica
Why limit yourself to just one beach? Santa Monica is a beachfront city that’s just a quick drive from Venice Beach, and it has plenty of its own charm to offer vacationers of all ages. The Santa Monica Pier is the city’s most famous attraction, featuring a Ferris wheel, amusement park, live music, an arcade, an aquarium, and plenty of other attractions. The beach itself has everything you’d want and expect from SoCal’s finest, including crystalline waters, surf-worthy waves, and soft, white sand.
4. Valencia
You can drive from Valencia to L.A. in less than an hour. It’s the perfect spot for a vacation rental if you want easy access to the city while still being able to escape and relax. This family-friendly Santa Clarita neighborhood is unofficially nicknamed “Awesometown,” and once you visit you’ll see why. Bring the whole family to Six Flags Magic Mountain for a day riding some of the country’s best amusement park rides. Fin’s Glow Zone is another great family-friendly attraction — it’s a miniature golf course illuminated with black lights.
5. Glendale
Glendale is an ideal spot for a vacation rental if you’re traveling with kids and don’t want to stay in the big city. While it’s still an easy drive from Venice Beach, you can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere in a more family-oriented neighborhood. Glendale has plenty to offer though, so come ready to have some fun! The Museum of Neon Art (MONA) is a popular attraction, featuring a huge collection of neon signs and other neon art. Verdugo Park is Glendale’s largest park, and, it has playgrounds, sports facilities, picnic areas, and even a skateboard park.
6. Beverly Hills
If you’re looking for luxury vacation rentals, you’ll find plenty in Beverly Hills. Home to a multitude of celebrities, this upscale neighborhood is one of the area’s wealthiest destinations. Enjoy world-class shopping on Rodeo Drive, and then, take a scenic drive down Mulholland Drive where you’ll see the many of the homes of Hollywood’s most rich and famous celebrities. Bring the kids to Will Rogers Memorial Park, where you can enjoy stunning scenery that includes palm trees, rose gardens, fields, and other gorgeous flora.
7. Manhattan Beach
Like many of SoCal’s beloved beaches, Manhattan Beach is famous for its rolling waves and fine sand as well as its lively pier. The Manhattan Beach Pier is the West Coast’s oldest standing concrete pier, and, it offers plenty of fun for visitors of all ages. It’s a great spot to spend the day fishing, and then you can bring home dinner to cook at your vacation rental. The pier also has an aquarium as well as a variety of unique shops and restaurants.
8. Culver City
Culver City is just a 20-minute drive from Venice Beach, and it has plenty of attractions for the whole family. Visit the Museum of Jurassic Technology, and, explore a wide range of outside-the-box science exhibits for all ages. Movie buffs both young and old are sure to appreciate a tour through Sony Studios, one of the movie industry’s leading studios.
9. South Pasadena
South Pasadena is a safe, family-oriented area with some gorgeous vacation rentals. South Pasadena is known for its excellent public parks. Garfield Park often hosts free outdoor concerts, and, there are also paths for jogging or biking, sports courts, playgrounds, and even a meditative garden space. For a change of scenery, take a hike up Eaton Canyon, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Los Angeles.
10. Silver Lake
Silver Lake is an up-and-coming Los Angeles neighborhood. While it’s recently been discovered by L.A.’s young, hip crowd, there’s fun to be had for visitors of all ages. The kids are sure to love The Great Escape Club is a wonderful supervised indoor playspace for kids that also has a separate area for the adults. For fun in the sun, head to Silver Lake Reservoir, a sprawling outdoor area with playgrounds, dog parks, a basketball court, and a picnic spot by the water.
11. Downtown L.A.
If you’re looking for a serene vacation rental, keep looking. If you’re looking to stay busy, downtown Los Angeles has plenty of excitement to offer. Experience a world-class performance at the exquisite Walt Disney Concert Hall. If you’re feeling hungry, be sure to check out the Grand Central Market, a massive dining hall with various cuisines from all over the globe. Little Tokyo is a fascinating district, full of exotic shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Whatever you’re looking for, it’ll only be a stone’s throw away in busy downtown L.A.
12. Los Feliz
Los Feliz is a delightful L.A. neighborhood with some scenic nature, classic cinema, and plenty of shops, cafes, and local eateries. To escape the city, head to the 4,310-acre Griffith Park, where you’ll see a wide variety of gorgeous nature, including caves and canyons, as well as museums and picnic areas. For a memorable movie experience, head to the Vista Theater. It’s a single-screen movie theater that plays films on analog film reels. Griffith Observatory is a must-visit, featuring some of the most breathtaking rooftop views of the city, fascinating science exhibits, and telescopes for gazing at the night sky.