Venice Blvd, South Los Angeles

Venice Blvd is another of my favorites in Los Angeles because I've never found it to be too congested, there's loads of independently owned boutiques, restaurants and shops throughout, and if you're driving it from east to west, there's a gem waiting for you at the end...The Beach. The street can start to get a little seedy the further east you go once past Culver City and Palms, but the westside makes it all worthwhile. This is another street worth including your list of nice weekend drives with the windows down.

Eastern Venice Boulevard is a congested commuter route with residential areas that have maintained their value throughout the years. Although tinged with an urban edge the surrounding neighborhoods remain diverse. Heading west, Venice becomes a mecca of retail and commercial establishments... eventually leading to the beach. The surrounding community of unusual beach dwellers with unique talents makes Venice beach a popular hang out for tourists and locals alike. Many seem to be attracted to the indie like surroundings and uniqueness of the crowd.

Venice is part of the Los Angeles culture!

Venice blvd towards Venice beach is a great drive. On a clear sunny day it is one of the best stress relievers, to drive down to Venice beach on Venice blvd and take a walk on the board walk. Venice Blvd has allot of little shops you will not see anywhere else.

Most notable street because it runs passed some of the famous beaches of LA such as Venice. It also runs through Culver City but this is actually a state highway that most locals dont even bother recognizing. It also has access to Interstate 45.

Venice is a very busy street. There are some apartments, a lot of stores and a lot of restaurants. Many parts of the street stretch three lanes each way. It's a great way to get across town in times of heavy traffic, but not a good place to live. Apartments are cheap, but for a reason. There are, of course, better parts -- in fact, some of the sketchier parts in Venice have of late become much more trendy and safe, but most of the street is still very, very urban.

The Venice area is an interesting part of Los Angeles. Like all of the city that is west of the 405 freeway, it is an astonishingly expensive place to live. But unlike the hillside areas further north it is not as nice--but it is right on the beach, and it has its own peculiar local culture. Venice is home to the Venice Beach Boardwalk, and the Muscle Beach gym. The boardwalk is filled with all sorts of street vendors, and bohemian/hippy types. Its a great place to go, lay a few towels on the sand and just sit back and enjoy the crowds.

Venice Blvd itself runs inland from the beach itself, up the 405 and beyond. Lined with apartments and businesses for the most part, it is not the nicest neighborhood on the westside. But if you're looking for a place near the beach with a colorful community identity, then this is probably the place for you in LA.