The Tamer Side of Venice Beach ~~

Venice Beach is one of the most colorful and interesting areas of Los Angeles. Walk on its boardwalk, known as Venice Beach’s Ocean Front Walk, between Rose Avenue and North Venice Blvd, and you’ll see all sorts of things, from palm and tarot card readers, to sand sculptors and collage artists, performance artists, street hustlers, buskers and bodybuilders. Continue walking past North Venice Blvd, towards the pier, and you’ll hit a residential area, consisting mostly of architectural houses with lots of glass to allow owners to enjoy the beautiful view. These are brave souls. As much as I’d love to have that view and to be able to step out of the house into the beach, I wouldn’t live in one of those houses, for two reasons: 1. Crowds. Lots of people -locals and tourists- walk up and down that strip day and night; some are rowdy, others are snoopy, taking pictures of everything around, including the houses… ;); and 2. Tsunamis! Yes, if there’s a strong earthquake and a subsequent tsunami, that entire area will be washed away in no time. But enough of the bad stuff. Here are some photos I took today while roaming around the tamer side of Venice Beach.

Houses along Ocean Walk in Venice Beach.

Typical ocean front house. Lots of glass, spectacular views.

The view from the outside is also beautiful.

The snoopy photographer took a selfie of sorts.

Famous beach house. Designed by Santa Monica resident and famous architect, Frank Gehry.

The bike and skate board path separate the houses from the beach.

The beach, just a stone’s throw away.

The Pier and the beach.

Million-dollar houses line up this part of Ocean Front Walk.