This Gorgeous California Beach Is One Of The Most Filmed In The World
According to the California State Water Resources Control Board, there are 427 coastal beaches in the Golden State. Some of the best beaches are in Southern California. This includes Venice Beach, a neighborhood found only about 6 miles from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Venice Beach is arguably one of the most eccentric places in the City of Angels. Notably, it's a hot spot for bodybuilders, artists, skaters, and beyond. Although it's located in the entertainment capital of the world, Venice Beach is a star in its own right.
A 2018 study from GoCompare (via The Independent) labeled Venice Beach as the second-most filmed location in the world. This was out of 20 other global spots, and the first, if you're curious, was New York's Central Park. Venice Beach dates back to 1905 and was the brainchild of businessman Abbot Kinney. The once-rural area flourished under Kinney's masterminding. He built various canals (inspired by Italy's Venice) and a series of attractions.
Venice Beach quickly became a filming location in its early years. Per author and historian Jeffrey Stanton (via Westland), one of the first films featuring Venice Beach was 1910's "Never Again," starring silent film star Mary Pickford. Since then, Venice Beach has been included in iconic films like "Touch of Evil," "Lords of Dogtown," both versions of "White Men Can't Jump," "The Doors," and many more. That said, one of Venice's Beach prime filming locations is none other than the Venice Boardwalk.
All the action can be found on the Venice Boardwalk
The Venice Boardwalk spans more than 2 miles and is thrilling for the senses. Ultimately, this is what makes it an ideal filming location. Picture a sunny coastal view with colorful shops, restaurants, and blaring music. According to statistics published by Gitnux, Venice Beach receives an estimated 28,000 visitors daily. Thus, the Venice Boardwalk is always lively and thriving.
Notably, the boardwalk appeared in the 2023 film "Barbie." The titular character and Ken rollerblade onto the boardwalk wearing 80s outfits only to be met with questionable reactions. In addition, TV shows like "Californication" and "NCIS: Los Angeles" have also featured the boardwalk in episodes. If you want to have the ultimate day in Venice Beach, take a stroll on the boardwalk; you'll never know what you'll discover. There are vendors selling diverse art and services like palm reading and henna tattoos.
Or you'll encounter iconic boardwalk figures like Harry Perry, known for playing his electric guitar through the boardwalk on roller skates. In fact, Perry made a cameo in the 1992 film "White Men Can't Jump" and its 2023 remake. But Venice Beach is a beach, after all. Grab a towel, sit back, and enjoy the palm-tree-lined view. You could also rent a bike on the boardwalk from Jay's Rental and traverse the Marvin Braude Bike Trail from Venice to nearby Santa Monica, considered one of the best beaches in the world.
Check out Abbot Kinney Boulevard
A short walk from the Venice Boardwalk is Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Named after Venice Beach's founder, the street is making a name in the entertainment industry. It has been featured in films like "Chef" starring Jon Favreau. Notably, the Netflix series "Flaked," which ran from 2016 to 2017, was filmed around various spots on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, states Los Angeles Magazine. This includes the Michelin-recommended Gjelina, a restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
With that in mind, the mile-long street is renowned for being a quintessential Los Angeles destination. Here, you'll find trendy high-end establishments and stores like Salt & Straw, Intelligentsia Coffee Venice, Mejuri, and more. Likewise, Abbot Kinney Boulevard holds a food truck event on the first Friday of every month, as featured in the film "Chef." While the food trucks differ each month, past eateries that have participated in this event include the famed Kogi BBQ truck and Baby's Badass Burgers, which was previously on "Shark Tank."
Besides food, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, much like the rest of Venice Beach, is an artistic hub. Yiwei Gallery and Art Unified are two art galleries displaying contemporary art on Abbot Kinney. The former is open Thursday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the latter is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. All told, Venice Beach is unforgettable on- and off-screen and a must-visit for locals and tourists.