LA is filled with beaches…..now that statement is a DuH.  If you look at any kind of list about the massive West Coast City, you’ll see a myriad of opportunities to experience sandy expanses along the ocean.  

When we went to LA last year we had two beach experiences.  They were fun and different.   

First, Venice Beach. A Mecca of cool. Quintessential beach town, hipster enclave, tourist trap.    It’s also a tech hub.  

But what a history.  I learned that the original Venice Beach was planned as a development by Abbott Kinney who was determined to create a cultural Mecca.  The intellectual part of the program didn’t work, but the beach front resort became very   popular. It opened July 4, 1905

Kenny dug several miles of canals, draining the marshy land, built a pier, a restaurant and a dance hall.  The block long arcaded business street had Venetian architecture.  The town became called the Venice of America.

Tourists arrived on the railroad from Los Angeles and Santa  Monica

We only had a few hours to explore.  I loved the canals.  Would be fabulous to own a house on one.  Charming.  

And the shops and buildings in the area were creative and fun.  

But mostly I loved the board walk, especially since we hit there at the time of a unusual downpour ….please hum the song, “It never rains in California”. It kept running through my head.   

   HOWEVER, it did rain and it really poured as we found a parking spot and walked to the beach/boardwalk.  We found shelter and then a place to eat.

And then the rain stopped and the fun began for me.  There’s nothing like the period after the rain for cool reflections and fun stuff to play with visually.  Venice Beach was no exception.   

The other beach we really enjoyed was Laguna Beach.  Yep.  Very different.  You can feel the high rent, the uber coolness.   Oozes money.  Beautiful scenery. 

It is charming spot, partially because there are height restrictions.  This is something to notice. Towns and cities that have height restrictions on their building are just more charming. Walkable.    Think Paris.  Santa Barbara and,  yes LaGuna Beach.  

It’s been an Art Mecca since the first gallery opened in 1918.  The area is packed with galleries and several notable and creative festivals.

In the 1960s it became the center of counter culture. We  particularly think of Timothy Leary who famously is known for “tune on, tune in, and drop out.”   

Today it would be a lovely place to live and certainly fun to visit.  

I loved the artists and their galleries.  Sculpture.  A decorated old phone booth.  

Nothing practical. All for the pure visual pleasure.  

This town appealed to me so much I bought a charming little book written by a resident with suggestions for what to do there. Already planning my next trip.