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Venice Beach: Past and Present Tour

5 Reviews 4.20 out of 5 stars Based on 5 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Los Angeles, USA

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2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

World class private tour, completely controlled by you!
Come see the best sights in Venice, at your leisure!

Commentary by Jeff Wynne, an experienced local tour guide!

Visit the sights that makes Venice the most unique beach hotspot of Los Angeles!
You'll learn about and see landmarks while hearing oral history highlights of the amazing story of Venice. Experience the legendary Venice boardwalk scene, skateboarding daredevils at the skate park continuing the 1970's skate culture originated by Dogtown and Z-Boys, and gawk at Muscle Beach made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
You'll visit the historic canals, and check out the local hipster shopping and restaurant flavor of of Abbot Kinney Boulevard. This tour can be walked in 2-3 hours, or you can drive to some spots.
It easily combines with my similar tour of nearby Santa Monica for a full L.A. beach culture and history experience!

Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the Pintours App

What's Included

  • Free Navigation on your Smartphone
  • Pintours App Guide
  • Parking Fees ($2 - $10 per day)
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Pacific Ave & Windward Ave
Main St #, Venice, CA 90291, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Rialto Avenue
Venice, CA 90291, USA

The corner of California and Montgomery Street.

What To Expect

Venice Sign

Spanning across Windward Avenue at Pacific, the VENICE Sign in lights is a modern day replica of the one originally installed in 1905 by the legendary Abbot Kinney.It is a defining symbol of Venice, past and present.In 2007, the Venice Sign Restoration Project recreated and installed the contemporary version of this historic sign. Since that time the Venice Chamber has been responsible for the sign and for protecting its trademark.Join the global club of folks who have a photo with Venice’s most recognizable back drop, The Venice Sign.Visitors are invited to photograph the sign for their personal use and enjoyment.Wait at the traffic light until the walk signal appears, then run out in front of the sign and strike a pose! You have about a 30 second window to get your shot before the cars start coming.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Venice Beach mural

Come and see why Venice became an artist hub in the 1970s & 1980s!
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Venice Beach Boardwalk

The Venice Beach Boardwalk is one of the top tourist destinations in Los Angeles. Part of the Ocean Front Walk, it's a long stretch of concrete paths hugging the beaches along the Pacific Ocean. But the surf and sand aren't the crowd-puller here. Instead, it's the vibrant beachside sidewalks, loaded with delightful characters. As a cultural mecca, people-watching here is incomparable to anywhere else in LA.Along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, you'll find fortune tellers, eccentric artists, chanting Hare Krishnas, and bikini-clad roller-skaters. You’ll also come across everyone else wanting to experience Southern California's eclectic beachfront neighbourhood. Skateboarding fans can watch pros at the skatepark, while surf enthusiasts can hang ten near the pier. Head to one of the bars or restaurants and watch the boardwalk action unfold in front of you. The boardwalk is also a great place to shop for gifts and souvenirs.
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25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Venice V Hotel

Venice V Hotel, the only beachfront lifestyle hotel in Venice. Designed in a soulfully reimagined 1915 landmark that was once a hangout for the Hollywood elite, the V is in the heart of it all — Venice's legendary skate park, surf, iconic Boardwalk, shopping, entertainment, and Abbot Kinney’s eclectic dining are just steps away.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Venice Beach Skatepark

The legendary Venice Skate Park, where the greatest skaters have come from.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Basketball Courts, Venice Beach

The iconic Venice Beach Basketball Courts are on Southern California's Venice Beach and are some of the most known basketball courts in the world. Between the beach, shops, sunshine, and body builders, the legendary courts got an even higher profile when featured in the movie White Men Can't Jump. Plenty of pick-up games.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Muscle Beach Venice Gym

Muscle Beach Venice is the “Home of Bodybuilding”, nestled right in the heart of Venice Beach since 1963. Some of the biggest names in bodybuilding and film including Franco Columbu, Lou Ferrigno, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane have all called Muscle Beach Venice home. Bodybuilders and bodybuilding enthusiasts flock to this outdoor gym to work out and be a part of the bodybuilding tradition. Muscle Beach Venice is open 7 days a week except for major holidays, city holidays, rainy days and annual fitness events. Gym hours vary based on the time of year.
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20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Venice Canals Walkway

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
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Abbot Kinney Boulevard

A mile long strip of the latest fashion, art and food just minutes from Venice Beach, California.
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25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Venice Beach: Past and Present Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PDT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-304471P11

Reviews

4.20
5 reviews

Average 4.20 out of 5 stars based on 5 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Free Navigation on your Smartphone
  • Pintours App Guide
  • Parking Fees ($2 - $10 per day)

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Free Cancellation

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PDT).

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