The Venice Canals in Los Angeles County are one of the most unique things you can do during a day at the beach. The canals are located right off 25th street in Venice Beach, and if you didn’t know they were there, you would easily walk right by them. The area is primarily a neighborhood of houses that line four canals about a quarter-mile long each. Along these channels are sidewalks and bridges you can walk to take in the views of this beautiful area. Read all about the canals below so you can check them out for yourself.
Details
- Free
- Parking nearby in the lot at the end of Venice Boulevard
Video
Here is a video I made on the canals.
History
Venice of America was founded by tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney in 1905 as a beach resort town. When Venice of America opened on July 4, 1905, Kinney had dug several miles of canals to drain the marshes for his residential area and bring a taste of Venice to America.In 1924 the city decided it needed more roads and most of the canals were filled in to pave them. After lots of court hearings from the residents about whether or not it was legal to fill them in, the Supreme Court ruled it was in 1928. By the end of the year, almost all of the canals were gone, save the ones that are still here to this day.
It was said that the remaining canals were saved by the Depression and the contractor’s bankruptcy. But in truth, the area, which was only half-developed, wouldn’t have supported much housing, and the lack of need for more roads saved the remaining canals.
How To Get There
This Google Maps image shows where the canals are located in Venice Beach in relation to the boardwalk; you can see them in blue.
I found it easier to park in the lot at the end of Venice Blvd and walk south on the boardwalk to 25th Avenue, then cut into the canals. At 25th Avenue you can see a sign for the canals, as well as a walkway that leads you directly into the area.
The Canals
The canals themselves go for about as long as you would like to walk. We walked for about 45 minutes, and there was still a lot to see. It is a beautiful place for a leisurelystroll and to take in the serene area that seems almost out of place in the chaos of Venice Beach.
Almost every house on the canals has a dock, and half of them have some form of boat that they can take on the water. It seems like it would be a pretty cool life to simply walk outside your door, get in your gondola, and travel down the waterway to the neighbor’s house.
The Bridges
Each canal seems to have at least two or three bridges that connect the two sides. While walking the area, you will not have a hard time cutting across to adjacent sides, as there are enough bridges to make walking easy, but not enough to detract from the view.
Another cool thing about the bridges is that no two appear to be the same. They have similarappearances, but they seem to be unique.
The bridges provide excellent vantage points of the waterways for photography as well. The below picture was taken from a bridge right at sunset.
The Houses
The other standout for this area is the lavish houses that line the canals, and before you ask, they start at around a million dollars. So, unfortunately, they are about $900,000 out of my price range. Oh well, it was still a lot of fun to walk along and check them all out.
As you would expect, most of the houses have been extensively kept up, with the plants never coming onto the walking path. Through the time I was there, I only saw one house that was rundown, and for sale, everything else looked like it had exceptional attention to detail in keeping the house in tip-top shape.
I would highly suggest you add the Venice Canals to your list and experiencethem for yourself. It is an excellent place for a stroll with your significant other, or a great free excursion if you are spending a family day at the beach. Get directions below and let me know what you think in the comments.
FAQs
But as inviting as they may seem, you must resist the urge to take a dip, as swimming in the canals is prohibited. Here's why you can't swim in the Venice canals. There are two main reasons why swimming in the canals is a bad idea. For one, it's dangerous because of all the gondolas and motorboats.
What happened to the canals in Venice California? ›
When Venice of America opened on July 4, 1905, Kinney had dug several miles of canals to drain the marshes for his residential area and bring a taste of Venice to America. In 1924 the city decided it needed more roads and most of the canals were filled in to pave them.
Can you walk through the Venice Canals? ›
Typically in May, the area may have pleasant weather and sunny skies, making it a great time to enjoy outdoor activities like walking along the canals.
Can you boat the Venice Canals in California? ›
Yes, visitors have the opportunity to take boat rides on the Venice Canals. Kayaks, paddleboards, and even gondolas are available for rent, allowing people to explore the canals from the water.
Are the canals in Venice fresh or saltwater? ›
Since Venice is built on a lagoon, the canal waters are brackish, meaning that they are a mix of salt and freshwater. There is heavy chemical runoff from the industrial area in Porto Marghera, as well as waste from the rivers on the west side of the city. Throughout the year over 600 cruise ships anchor in Venice.
How cold is the water in Venice Beach California? ›
Venice Pier sea temperatures peak in the range 17 to 21°C (63 to 70°F) on around the 6th of September and are at their coldest on about the 5th of February, in the range 12 to 16°C (54 to 61°F).
How deep are the Venice, CA canals? ›
The canals aren't very deep — often only 10 or 15ft deep. Over the centuries, the canals were reinforced with bricks and other materials by the lagoon's inhabitants. So, while the canals were once natural, they have been changed significantly over the years.
Where does the Venice California canal water come from? ›
The water enters the canals through sea gates in the Marina Del Rey breakwater via the Ballona Lagoon, and again in Washington Boulevard. They open at low tide to drain most of the water, and at high tide they are closed, trapping the water for about three days, before being refreshed again.
What caused Venice canals to dry up? ›
Dwindling water levels in the canals are linked to a combination of issues, including a prolonged spell of low tides and a lingering high-pressure weather system over much of Italy. The muddy canals have disrupted some transportation and tourists services in a city that doesn't have cars.
How deep is the water through Venice? ›
The depth of the water in Venice's canals varies by canal, whether dredging has been done to remove silt and sand in that particular canal, and the tide levels. Most canals are 5 to 6.5 feet deep, while the Grand Canal is deeper, at about 16.4 feet.
If you have an hour and want to take a stroll to see some unique homes situated on a path of canals then this is the place to go. We saw some pretty landscape designs and some really quirky homes, but the quiet atmosphere and sun filled day was just perfect. The drawbacks are few and yet I feel a must to list.
Can you drink the canal water in Venice? ›
The tap water in Venice adheres to the quality standards set by the European Union and the World Health Organization. These standards guarantee that the water is free from harmful contaminants and suitable for drinking and cooking purposes.
Who owns the canals in California? ›
The Bureau of Reclamation owns the canal, but the Imperial Irrigation District operates it. Water for the canal is diverted at the Imperial Diversion Dam. The All-American Canal feeds, from east to west, the Yuma Main Canal, the Coachella Canal, East Highline Canal, Central Main Canal, and the Westside Main Canal.
Can you fish in canals in California? ›
We do not allow any swimming, fishing, playing, or other recreational activities in or around our canals. Debris (trash and garbage) and other dangerous things can be found in canals. Dry canals are not safe because there is no way to know when water may be released and you may be trapped by a surge of water.
Do people swim at Venice Beach LA? ›
For those who are more inclined to actual beach activities, swimming, beach volleyball, fishing, and surfing are popular at this beach. The Venice Breakwater is actually an acclaimed local surf spot. Bike and skate rentals are also available along Ocean Front Walk.
Do people swim in the water in Venice? ›
Well luckily today in Venice, you can easily rent a traditional handcrafted Venetian boat and travel in style to visit the swimming spots in the Venetian lagoon where the locals go. There are also really great beaches throughout the lagoon where you can easily reach with a waterbus.
Are canals safe to swim in? ›
Canals can be very dangerous, so please follow these canal safety tips to avoid drowning or injury: Don't swim in canals — ever! Keep a safe distance from the edges of the canals. Canal sides are extremely slick, making it difficult to get out.
Are the canals in Venice, California man-made? ›
Venice, California is a vibrant beachfront community known for its artistic spirit, lively atmosphere, and captivating canals. Nestled on the west side of Los Angeles, this unique neighborhood boasts a charming network of man-made canals that pay homage to their namesake, the legendary Italian city of Venice.
