Surfing Venice Beach

Venice Beach is synonymous with surfing. Decades after the raised amusement parks of Venice of America were abandoned to decay into the ocean, surfers turned them into an obstacle course and pioneered new dynamics of surfing. Even after the ruins were removed, surfboards continue to dot the shore and surfers ride the pulsing tides from dawn to dusk each day.

A popular spot to surf for its proximity to Los Angeles is the Venice Breakwater, where waves bounce off the rocky outcropping into powerful mounds of surfable sea. Built in 1905 to protect Abbot Kinney's amusement parks from the crushing force of the sea, today the breakwater now provides surfing opportunities on its north and south break that fluctuate in seasonal swells.

For rentals, head to Boardwalk Skate & Surf right off the Venice Boardwalk. You can rent surfboards for $10/hour or a day rate of $30. After building an appetite in the surf, head to James Beach Restaurant for cocktails and dining, "beach style".

STARTING POINT
Begin at the intersection of Pacific and Windward Ave and then walk down toward the beach.

DIRECTIONS TO THE STARY
Transit: From downtown bus stop at Spring/1st in Downtown LA, take the 733 Bus towards Santa Monica. Get off at Main/Grand and walk west about 2 minutes to the intersection of Pacific an Windward Ave.

Car: From the 10 Freeway West exit for 4th/5th St. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for 4 St. Turn left onto 4th St. and then take the third right onto Pico Blvd. Turn left onto Neilson Way and continue for about 2 miles as it turns into Pacific Ave and you will encounter Windward Ave.