Santa Monica Travel Guide

Venice Beach is Los Angeles' most streetwise seaside stretch. Its Ocean Front Walk teems with street performers, graffiti walls, skate bowls and the open-air 'Muscle Beach' gym, where hippie and sports cultures mingle in a free-spirited, rebellious vibe. The area was originally named after Italy's Venice, whose canals the developer once dredged; today the preserved Venice Canal district is quiet and elegant, a sharp contrast to the boisterous boardwalk. A coastal bike path runs north to Santa Monica, ideal for a linked ride.

The Third Street Promenade is Santa Monica's pedestrian spine — three blocks of car-free promenade where national retailers, indie cinemas and a constant cast of street performers draw locals and tourists alike. A few steps from the Pacific and the Santa Monica Pier, it merges beach-town ease with urban bustle. Buskers, outdoor dining and the ocean breeze make it a quintessential Southern California evening stroll, especially after sunset when the lights come up.