Whenever I happen upon a beach resort that is oriented towards the masses of American people, I am thrown back to my childhood- to beaches like: Lynn, Revere, Nantasket, Nahant, Crane’s, Plum Island and Wingaersheek, MA; Narragansett and Galilee, RI; Hampton and Rye, NH and Old Orchard, ME. Millions are also familiar with Long Island, the Jersey Shore, Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Delaware Coast, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, Waveland, MS and Daytona Beach.
These places may remind some of theme parks, or WalMart, but they are essential to the well-being of lots and lots of good folk. I visited two such mass-oriented beaches, along the western edge of Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 22. It would have been my late father’s 87th birthday, and Dad loved these kinds of places, so I joined the throngs, and had a blast.
Venice, CA sits at the western tip of the City of Los Angeles, which operates the beach park that lies between upscale Marina del Rey and the bustling suburb of Santa Monica. There is plenty of kitsch to go around, and I enjoyed an all-beef sausage sandwich from Jody Maroney’s, for a quick, satisfying lunch.
I may be an adventurous diner, at times, but I am never too far from my roots.
The next order of business, though, was the beach. I was surprised that there were not that many people around the water. Most of the action remained along the Promenade and in the park, inland from the beach. I went into the water, just a bit, though. It was exhilarating!
In short order, though, I came to Venice Pier.
With a nod to the few surfers who were headed out to play in the ocean, I went up to see how the fishermen were doing.
People were a bit more even-tempered than those I encountered earlier, in Manhattan Beach. Maybe the fish were more accommodating here. An egret seemed to think so.
The water looked refreshing, from pierside, as well.
After about a half hour along the beach, I gradually made my way up to greener pastures.
There were many colours in evidence on the People’s Wall.
Venice’s downtown also is riot of shades and hues- building-wise.
A snake charmer was doing a fine job of handling his serpentine friend, on one of these corners. I decided not to take his photo, lest I capture something unfortunate. He ended up doing his act just fine, though, so I gave him a small tip.
“In the end, only kindness matters.”- Jewel I will carry this message with me as well, from a bric-a-brac merchant in said Sidewalk Market:
You’d have had a great time here, Dad. I was glad to have had the chance to make the trip, in your stead.
Next: Santa Monica’s Beach and Pier
A Sagittarian Seeker 
When we visit my daughter in LA we always spend a large part of a day at Venice Beach. Best people watching around. We’ve eaten breakfast at the “sidewalk cafe” and like the American Hamburger place for lunch.
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Venice and Santa Monica Pier were both great for people watching. Venice featured a man who appeared to be down on his luck, bicycling pell mell around a group of “beautiful people” who were walking four abreast, in the bike lane. I was surprised there was no confrontation, other than his yelling, “Wake up!”
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Venice Beach is all about the kitch and the boardwalk, and much less about the beautiful beach! I imagine the water was pretty cold — too cold for swimming, and too flat for surfing.
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It was far less outrageous, along the boardwalk, than I had been forewarned. Then again, it wasn’t midsummer. I am interested in the totality of things, though, so the beach was my first order of business, after lunch.
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I think you have your priorities right! Lunch, the pier and the beach, with a little people watching thrown in. I agree, though, that in midsummer it might have been much more outrageous!
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Those photos made me want to run down there. I love the beaches, as here it is a lot different. When I came to CA, my friend took us, to some of these places. I might have some photos. My children bought shells from the beaches.
And I love those shops with fabulous items like, clothes and bracelets….
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