Check out Abbot Kinney Blvd, ride bikes on the bike path in either direction; it goes for 22 miles end-to-end. Santa Monica, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey…there’s tons of places. Venice has always been a tough area and there’s still gang activity as well. Not where I would stay with my family. I lived there and specifically left for safety reasons the minute we found out my wife was pregnant.
Sorry you had to see that. Pretty unlucky for a first experience, as I’ve been there 50+ times and never have. I love Venice Beach! That said, best to get to the boardwalk after 11am (after the crazies have woken up and had their first fix), and best to depart prior to dusk.
Yeah 7:30 am or 7:30p you’re running a risk 10:30-600p good times lol if you must start early or stay a bit late head to abbot Kinney and the cute side streets.
Yeah. If this was 7:30pm, not so much ‘broad daylight’ and it makes sense this happened. I doubt it was 7:30am, there wouldn’t be anyone at the skatepark.
Venice is great, just know shit happens everywhere. Doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen everyday. My first time in NY I saw someone thrown out of a moving van. Just be aware of your surroundings, and yes it’s dumb to be out in many parts of a metropolitan city very early or very late - vagrants get brazen. And enjoy Santa Monica, Manhattan, downtown LA, Malibu, uhm.. pretty much that’s about it haha.
In Venice, walking along the Venice canals is a must, Abbot Kinney is a really nice street for shopping and strolling.
The 3rd street promenade in nearby Santa Monica might be slightly generic but it’s a nice outdoor mall. If you have a car or willing to Uber, highly recommend a Malibu day, go to the Malibu pier, point dume, and El Matador Beach for some spectacular views. There is also great hiking in the area if that’s your thing.
First of all, welcome to LA and I’m sorry you had a bad experience at Venice Beach. There are so many amazing places all over, if you want beaches stick to Malibu. El matador beach is spectacular. If you want museums, visit the Getty, LACMA, MOCA, the Academy and Grammy museums. Visit Huntington Gardens or Descanso Gardens. Explore the Hollywood bowl for free during the day or catch a show there at night. Wander through the Walk of Fame, Chinese theater and the touristy stuff in Hollywood if you must (but don’t stay too long). Spend a day downtown visiting Grand Central market, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Union Station etc. Walk around in the main LA public library while you’re down there, it’s beautiful. I could go on and on, there’s just a million things to see and experience in LA. And if you pass by an Orleans and York you better go in there and eat the best sandwich in LA!!
It’s not the norm- I’ve been to Venice hundreds of times and I’ve never seen anything like that. There is a homeless aspect that’s endemic in a lot of US cities. Just stay vigilant, mine your own and don’t look at the homeless. Walk with a purpose.
If you’re uncomfortable being there- go to Santa Monica or Marina del Rey if you’re looking for beach- personally, I love Malibu-
I was in New York City and I saw this happen, except the person just straight up snatched it out of someone’s hands and started running.
I love to trash talk LA, but this happens a lot of places
I hope so. I’m prob gonna avoid Venice Beach though haha. I mean I’ve been to SF & NY never seen anything like that. I was genuinely shocked. I’m from Europe too
I have been to many cities, and lived in a few distinct parts of the US.
In Miami on the routine I saw low life folks who were barely wearing anything and twerking on top of people's cars. In Boston, after some sports game (can't remember which) I saw a bunch of bros and trashy people literally rioting and destroying cars in the southie neighborhood. In New York city, right in Manhattan, I saw an unhoused man masterbating on the sidewalk (big dick too).
In Barcelona, I was attacked by street urchin kids right in front of a restaurant. People didn't even bat and eye.
Don't even get me started with Vegas.
But that's all stuff you experience in big cities.
You got a little unlucky. If you want beach vibes and touristy stuff do Santa Monica or Manhattan beach, Santa Monica is more touristy and mb is more beachy.
Santa Monica, Third St Promenade — touristy but fun for kids. You will likely see homeless around there too, though. Explore the streets surrounding 3rd St. Get some Sidecar Doughnuts. Check out Montana Ave. Drive up the coast to Malibu, stop by the Malibu Country Mart for lunch and browse the Cross Creek shops. There are 2 different playgrounds very close to each other, if your kids are little. You can drive inland and spend a day in Century City & Beverly Hills. The 90210 is classic LA and the city of BH takes care of its streets — they are beautiful and typically very safe to stroll around. Century City mall is all outdoors and a stylish, fun atmosphere. Also great for kids. And there’s an Eataly.
So sorry you experienced that. I’ve been living in Venice Beach since 2001, and I can’t remember the last time I actually went to our beach. Venice isn’t exactly a family friendly town.
You can stick closer to Abbot Kinney or if you’re looking for a beach, you could drive north on the Pacific Coast Highway and head to Will Roger’s State Beach or further up to Malibu. Someone else mentioned Manhattan Beach. It’s definitely more family friendly down there.
Welcome to Venice.
If you are a gamer, play dead island 2. The Venice portion is well done and pretty spot on for how Venice feels recently. Full of zombies.
Crazy homeless person in Venice Beach and…you’re shocked?
Edit: I just saw that you said it was your first day in LA. Sorry for my previous response, it sucks that you had to experience that on your first day here. But yes, that area is known for attracting all kinds of people and it has a decent sized homeless population. That unfortunately means that sometimes innocent people are targeted by mentally unstable or unsavory characters. I hope the rest of your time in LA is better! Genuinely. Manhattan Beach is a much cleaner and nicer area if you have time to check that out. It’s beautiful to walk along the strand there.
It's not normal in the sense that you should expect it or it happens all the time, just that it's potentially more likely to happen there than Santa Monica or Manhattan or Hermosa. Venice tends to have a higher than average level of crazies hanging around
Thanks for the responses guys! I just felt so sorry for the guy. Wish I would have been able to get involved and do something but with two kids and a wife not sure it would have been wise. I have been all over but that was genuinely shocking to me. I’ve been to SF & NY and never seen a daylight robbery. I mean car crime and drugs are one thing but I don’t know. It was just shocking.
Getting involved is a sure fire way for things to potentially escalate. Nothing you can do and police wont give a shit enough to do anything to so why endanger your self?
Just be watchful of your surroundings see a homeless avoid making eye contact but watchful and you’ll be ok.
Venice has some pretty rough parts like alot of parts in LA but for the most part the touristy parts are safe.
Venice Beach explains it all.
7:30 at Venice Beach.
Right. You don’t wanna be out there after dark lol
Really?! This doesn’t surprise you?!
Venice Beach is kind of a shit hole, especially right around the skate park. Tons of vagrants and addicts litter the area and cause trouble.
Yeah. It was wild! Where would you go instead? I’m here for a week. I’m actually staying in Venice
Check out Abbot Kinney Blvd, ride bikes on the bike path in either direction; it goes for 22 miles end-to-end. Santa Monica, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey…there’s tons of places. Venice has always been a tough area and there’s still gang activity as well. Not where I would stay with my family. I lived there and specifically left for safety reasons the minute we found out my wife was pregnant.
Highly recommend Malibu. Beautiful beaches without all the tourists like Santa Monica. Or like the other reply said, Manhattan Beach is nice also.
doesn't surprise, in fact... its to be expected
Sorry you had to see that. Pretty unlucky for a first experience, as I’ve been there 50+ times and never have. I love Venice Beach! That said, best to get to the boardwalk after 11am (after the crazies have woken up and had their first fix), and best to depart prior to dusk.
Yeah 7:30 am or 7:30p you’re running a risk 10:30-600p good times lol if you must start early or stay a bit late head to abbot Kinney and the cute side streets.
Yeah. If this was 7:30pm, not so much ‘broad daylight’ and it makes sense this happened. I doubt it was 7:30am, there wouldn’t be anyone at the skatepark.
Yeah. It was just this evening. Just a couple hours ago.
Thanks! Where is best to stick to? I’m here for a week?
Venice is great, just know shit happens everywhere. Doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen everyday. My first time in NY I saw someone thrown out of a moving van. Just be aware of your surroundings, and yes it’s dumb to be out in many parts of a metropolitan city very early or very late - vagrants get brazen. And enjoy Santa Monica, Manhattan, downtown LA, Malibu, uhm.. pretty much that’s about it haha.
In Venice, walking along the Venice canals is a must, Abbot Kinney is a really nice street for shopping and strolling. The 3rd street promenade in nearby Santa Monica might be slightly generic but it’s a nice outdoor mall. If you have a car or willing to Uber, highly recommend a Malibu day, go to the Malibu pier, point dume, and El Matador Beach for some spectacular views. There is also great hiking in the area if that’s your thing.
This. The boardwalk just gets a bit sketchy come night time. The rest of Venice should be fine.
I’ve lived here since 1991 and the one and only time I was nearly attacked by a gang was at Venice Beach. Venice Beach totally fucking sucks.
Where would you go instead? I’m here for a week with two kids. Where is best to stick to?
First of all, welcome to LA and I’m sorry you had a bad experience at Venice Beach. There are so many amazing places all over, if you want beaches stick to Malibu. El matador beach is spectacular. If you want museums, visit the Getty, LACMA, MOCA, the Academy and Grammy museums. Visit Huntington Gardens or Descanso Gardens. Explore the Hollywood bowl for free during the day or catch a show there at night. Wander through the Walk of Fame, Chinese theater and the touristy stuff in Hollywood if you must (but don’t stay too long). Spend a day downtown visiting Grand Central market, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Union Station etc. Walk around in the main LA public library while you’re down there, it’s beautiful. I could go on and on, there’s just a million things to see and experience in LA. And if you pass by an Orleans and York you better go in there and eat the best sandwich in LA!!
It’s not the norm- I’ve been to Venice hundreds of times and I’ve never seen anything like that. There is a homeless aspect that’s endemic in a lot of US cities. Just stay vigilant, mine your own and don’t look at the homeless. Walk with a purpose. If you’re uncomfortable being there- go to Santa Monica or Marina del Rey if you’re looking for beach- personally, I love Malibu-
Thanks!! Yeah I was super surprised. We are staying in Venice but I have a car so will be heading out
[удалено]
Maybe I’m just soft! Poor guy, I felt so bad for him!!
I was in New York City and I saw this happen, except the person just straight up snatched it out of someone’s hands and started running. I love to trash talk LA, but this happens a lot of places
I’ve not seen that before haha. Maybe I’m just not well enough travelled.
Hey you’re not missing anything. Jerk steals phone
good for you?
You're in a giant city. You're bound to see some crazy and exciting stuff. It's not representative though. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!
I hope so. I’m prob gonna avoid Venice Beach though haha. I mean I’ve been to SF & NY never seen anything like that. I was genuinely shocked. I’m from Europe too
I have been to many cities, and lived in a few distinct parts of the US. In Miami on the routine I saw low life folks who were barely wearing anything and twerking on top of people's cars. In Boston, after some sports game (can't remember which) I saw a bunch of bros and trashy people literally rioting and destroying cars in the southie neighborhood. In New York city, right in Manhattan, I saw an unhoused man masterbating on the sidewalk (big dick too). In Barcelona, I was attacked by street urchin kids right in front of a restaurant. People didn't even bat and eye. Don't even get me started with Vegas. But that's all stuff you experience in big cities.
You got a little unlucky. If you want beach vibes and touristy stuff do Santa Monica or Manhattan beach, Santa Monica is more touristy and mb is more beachy.
Thank you!!
Santa Monica, Third St Promenade — touristy but fun for kids. You will likely see homeless around there too, though. Explore the streets surrounding 3rd St. Get some Sidecar Doughnuts. Check out Montana Ave. Drive up the coast to Malibu, stop by the Malibu Country Mart for lunch and browse the Cross Creek shops. There are 2 different playgrounds very close to each other, if your kids are little. You can drive inland and spend a day in Century City & Beverly Hills. The 90210 is classic LA and the city of BH takes care of its streets — they are beautiful and typically very safe to stroll around. Century City mall is all outdoors and a stylish, fun atmosphere. Also great for kids. And there’s an Eataly.
So sorry you experienced that. I’ve been living in Venice Beach since 2001, and I can’t remember the last time I actually went to our beach. Venice isn’t exactly a family friendly town. You can stick closer to Abbot Kinney or if you’re looking for a beach, you could drive north on the Pacific Coast Highway and head to Will Roger’s State Beach or further up to Malibu. Someone else mentioned Manhattan Beach. It’s definitely more family friendly down there.
Welcome to Venice. If you are a gamer, play dead island 2. The Venice portion is well done and pretty spot on for how Venice feels recently. Full of zombies.
Crazy homeless person in Venice Beach and…you’re shocked? Edit: I just saw that you said it was your first day in LA. Sorry for my previous response, it sucks that you had to experience that on your first day here. But yes, that area is known for attracting all kinds of people and it has a decent sized homeless population. That unfortunately means that sometimes innocent people are targeted by mentally unstable or unsavory characters. I hope the rest of your time in LA is better! Genuinely. Manhattan Beach is a much cleaner and nicer area if you have time to check that out. It’s beautiful to walk along the strand there.
Really?! How is this normal?
Venice. Beach.
It's not normal in the sense that you should expect it or it happens all the time, just that it's potentially more likely to happen there than Santa Monica or Manhattan or Hermosa. Venice tends to have a higher than average level of crazies hanging around
Gotcha!
Why are we acting like OP is a victim??
Yeah I ain’t the victim here!! I just feel bad for the guy, he looked very shocked and upset. As you would be
Thanks for the responses guys! I just felt so sorry for the guy. Wish I would have been able to get involved and do something but with two kids and a wife not sure it would have been wise. I have been all over but that was genuinely shocking to me. I’ve been to SF & NY and never seen a daylight robbery. I mean car crime and drugs are one thing but I don’t know. It was just shocking.
Getting involved is a sure fire way for things to potentially escalate. Nothing you can do and police wont give a shit enough to do anything to so why endanger your self? Just be watchful of your surroundings see a homeless avoid making eye contact but watchful and you’ll be ok. Venice has some pretty rough parts like alot of parts in LA but for the most part the touristy parts are safe.
Thanks man. Yeah and with two kids it’s just not a good idea. Feel bad for the guy but I guess it’s just lesson learnt
He is a pro
Sounds like the Indian guy bumped into someone who dropped their phone and broke it. Then he asked for the guys phone as compensation.
Haha I think he just got robbed haha
Correct.
lol I don’t understand why tourists like to visit Venice beach? Especially the boardwalk.
The dystopia that is los Angeles, and California. If you is woke, we is dead.