The Venice Canals are a must visit spot if you're visiting Venice, even though you're walking…read morethrough people's neighborhood. It must be a love/hate relationship for the people residing here. It's not really crowded, but there are continuous visitors walking around and taking pictures here. I've walked through on numerous occasions to get to Venice beach. There are beautiful homes that line the canals, and most people have either a row boat or pontoon patio in the water. So far, I have yet to see anyone in the water, but they obviously do use them. I know I would, if I lived here. It's an intricate canal system. The water is shallow, approximately three to four feet deep. There are multiple wooden walkway bridges that go over the water. Ducks hang out on the boats. The water is polluted, so no one's actually in it. It's mind boggling to think that the canals are all manmade. Parking: Plenty of free street parking.

Actual canals neighborhood walkable from the pier and the boardwalk. It's a manmade neighborhood…read morewith waterways and bridges conceived in 1905 so it's been around for awhile. It was in disrepair for nearly 40 years before being refreshed in the 90s so its a nice time to visit now since its been "aged-in" and looks a bit more authentic. The water is refreshed about every 3 days via a dam system so you don't have to worry about the water being too dirty and rancid though I wouldn't' swim in it. On our visit we saw ducks and herons in the water. They are all private residences you can't go into so the main attraction is to just walk around, note some of the bridges have very short walls and you can fall in easily if you are pushed or lose your balance, cars also drive through this neighborhood so be mindful when crossing the bridges.

The Hobbit's House is just a cute house to see if you are in the area. It is not a must stop. The…read morehouse actually has an owner and there is an apartment there. It was built by a former artist for Disney Studios and the builder, Lawrence Joseph worked on all of it for decades. There are adorable cottages and a view from the street is super. I think some of it may be occupied, I am not sure, so I did not venture far, just the front and back yard and stopped when I saw what looked like an apartment building. It is an LA Historical Landmark and just so cute. It is near Sony pictures. It almost looks like you are walking into a movie set. There is a great garden and a pond and it really does look like a Hobbit house. We were not there long, maybe 15 minutes and did not need to be. So, if you have 15 minutes and want to see a super cool house go take a peek.

When in LA on a rainy bank holiday (dramatically less traffic) do what Angelenos do! See the…read moresights!! These are people's homes aka the Lawrence and Martha Joseph Residence and Apartments, commonly known as the "Hobbit Houses," located in Culver City, California. The structures were designed and built by Lawrence Joseph, a former artist for Walt Disney Studios, starting in the 1940s and continuing construction for decades. Now surrounded by high rises it is difficult to land a parking spot but worth it to get a closer look. For a moment imagine yourself on a walk through emerald green grass & fields of wildflowers. And then look up & see these enchanting cottages.

This is definitely not my favorite Frank Gehry building, but it's still architecturally interesting…read moreand famous. And if you're in Venice, absolutely drive down Main street and see this. It's stunning. As it is now a Google building, if you're taking pictures of this wonder of architecture, security WILL come out to question you. Because, you know, Google cares about privacy. Theirs.

Do you like spotting the "world's largest" types? e.g. world's largest ball of yarn, world's…read morelargest picnic basket, typically strewn out around rural parts of Kansas or Idaho, places you'll likely never need to visit? If the answer is yes, then boy, this spot is for you! Although not officially named the "world's largest pair or binoculars," it probably could be! Good for pulling over, snapping a photo, and then moving along.

Loved everything from the appearance of God. The free feast was delicious as well as the savory…read morebooth!!

And finally that time of the year, when you can catch the Festival of Chariots parade at the Venice…read moreBeach Boardwalk arrived. Very exciting time for me since this year is my first time at the festival. I've seen great photos of the colorful parade and this year, the timing worked magically.I was able to attend it and eager to do so. The Festival of Chariots (Ratha Yatra) is an ancient Indian celebration dedicated to 3 deities. Hence the 3 chariots (floats) you see at the parade. The first festival in US was held in San Francisco in 1967 (they still organize it in Golden Gate Park). Since '76, Venice Beach hosts another one on the West Coast, a perfect location, in tune with the vibe of the celebration which takes places over 3 days in Santa Monica. In the last day, a parade starts on Main Street in Santa Monica, moves along Ocean till it gets to Venice Beach where booths, tents are set up for more festivities to follow. This is a beautiful event, very colorful, peaceful and unique. Many participants wear Hindu inspired clothing, some pull the chariots ahead by huge ropes (I was told it's good for your karma to do so). Everyone is friendly, they spread their joy, books about their spirituality, vegetarian cooking and yoga. A lady from the parade stopped to talk to us, she gave useful information about the history behind the event, the sister parade in San Francisco and about this cool fest. No one is trying to convert anyone, it's not about pushing anything on you. I'm interested in other cultures and spirituality of various people and I practice yoga, so I don't mind learning more things. The parade starts at 10 am in Santa Monica, it gets around noon in Venice, be there a bit before. It's lively, colorful, like no other. Very joyful. Then, more festivities begin, there's a stage where they have various artists perform, booths where you can learn about the history of the festival and where you can practice yoga. They have a free vegetarian feast (for 20,000 people), the line was moving and I enjoyed the food and the tea they served (Thank you!), it's such a nice, generous gesture. There are more booths where they sell Indian street food, fruits, drinks, smoothies. We tried the coconut water ($4) fresh, from an actual coconut, I'm not a huge fan of coconut water (I know it's trendy), the taste doesn't do it for me, but I enjoyed the experience.Had to try it! There are booths where they sell Indian clothes, home decor, jewelry. I've been to many street fairs and this one has the most reasonable prices for food and merchandise. It is hot, but you're on the beach. Casual, fun event. It's a positive vibe all around, people are nice, that's what this festival is about. Love, tolerance and kindness, which we can have more in our lives nowadays. We can learn from each other and the Festival of Chariots can open your mind and hearts. Hare Krishna, everyone! Love, joy and peace!

I think it says a lot about the lack of green space and park infrastructure throughout the…read morecountry-sized city of Los Angeles that people resort to nondescript pedestrian passage-ways between two streets as a public amenity that must be yelped about. The upper entrance is between two houses on Inglewood Street. Seattle is full of passageways like this, more character-ful with beautiful vegetation and not cordoned off by chain link fencing, but few elicit actual Yelp-reviewed status. In green Seattle a stairpath between streets on different sections of a hill can be enchanting, but here it is ...not. There is a Mar Vista Recreation Center not too far from this spot, it's got ball fields. Since we are largely in the flat lands, this stair case provides a little special workout. The view of the valley is interesting from here. It's a staircase with room for two people one going up and one going down. It is enclosed in fencing. Hard to find any more words for these concrete stairs.

This is a little known location, used by local exercise enthusiasts, in the very nice residential…read moreneighborhood of Mar Vista/Westdale (a hundred yards from our L.A. house). The top of the stairway is on the hilltop of Inglewood Avenue, north of Palms Blvd. The landing is directly across the street from Mar Vista elementary school on Granville Ave. There is good parking available on both Inglewood and Granville. The flight is around a hundred steps. At the top of the stairs, there are great views of downtown L.A. and the San Gabriel Mountains. This location is never too crowded and also has overhead vapor lamp lighting if you want to exercise in the evening.

One of my favorite streets in Los Angeles. Abbot Kinney has a unique atmosphere with local vendors,…read moreboutiques, cafés, street musicians, and interesting architecture. It's a great place to walk around, grab a coffee, and enjoy the Venice vibe. Every visit feels a little different, and there is always something new to discover.

Abbott Kinney is only a mile long but there's so much to see. Whenever I'm in Venice, I never miss…read morecoming in here and strolling around the neighborhood. So many things to see in here such as checking the small businesses , view the colorful murals and attending pop up events. Also love dining here as there's so many different options as well. I love hanging out the stores which has either front and back patios. I really like the vibes and atmosphere here.

It's a cool small park for small children to play but there's no water fountain for them. No way…read morefor them to hydrate. So if you plan on going here, bring your own drinks. Ridiculous. There's plenty of irrigation set up for all the plants that completely surrounding the park but none for the children. 5/10. Mike Bonin takes credit for the park but none of these boneheads thought about a simple water fountain for the children. Smdh.

Los Angeles is dotted with neighborhood parks and playgrounds, and the Via Dolce Park is one of my…read morefavorites. It is small ... less than an acre ... but it's location along the Grand Canal is quite nice. Playground equipment dominates the park, so it's perfect for children. But it also has a seating area and signage describing flora and creatures found along the canal.

I haven't been here in 15+ years and though a lot of it has changed, I'm glad I was able to take…read morethe kids here and experience it. It was founded by Abbot Kinney as a destination seaside resort in the early 19th century and the street named after him used to be a great place to go shopping: -If you start at the south end near the pier you can see a neighborhood with actual canals and bridges that is fun to walk through. -Muscle beach is more like an outdoor gym now and not as grimy and primitive as it used to be. -Skateboarding bowl is famous and even on a weekday we same many skateboarders there, one of them was skateboarding barefoot! -The basketball courts are also quite famous and sometimes you'll see some famous streetballers playing here. -There is a strong smell of weed everywhere and a couple headshops. The most annoying people are the ones trying to hustle CDs or get you to go to their weed shop.

Again, one of those things you have to do at least once in your life, especially if you're a SoCal…read morenative and last weekend was the first time I've ever been here. I was always mistaken thinking I've been here before, but that was actually Santa Monica. Goes to show how little I go out and touch beach sand if that makes any sense. The board walk is along side the beach and you can either pay for parking at any of the lots and help support the maintenance of the beach or you can do metered parking or free street parking, you just have to pay attention to the signs and be okay with walking. Lots of things to see and it's super bustling and lively on the board walk, especially on the weekends. They recommend people to walk their bikes here, so you can easily just walk it. Gift shops, novelty stores, cannabis and magic mushrooms stores, cafe's, quick service food restaurants, art displays, street performers and vendors, people walking their dogs, and much more. Be wary of the drop shipping resellers or the boot leg items, but there's lots of original artwork and crafts being vended by people. I hate all of the AI advertisements thought, none of it makes the food look good and makes my skin crawl so I'm wishing vendors would take note of this. Very innovative to see some of the designs of shirts, Snoop Dog's ice cream parlor (sadly not opened), and people selling shaved ice on the go and much more. Also keep your hands busy so people don't try to push something in your hands and make you purchase it. Tourist trap prices for certain things, but then there are people making an honest living selling ice cold water bottles for $1 which is pretty fair if you think about it. I don't think I'll go out of my way to be here, but interesting to be at at least once.

Casa 12 Marina del Rey is a prime waterfront destination, and dining here reflects the cost of…read morepremier real estate, fresh ingredients, and scratch-made Italian cuisine. People like Zoe's review (smh hugely) Expecting budget-friendly prices in a luxury coastal community shows a complete disconnect with local market economics. If standard pricing for upscale dining in a high-end area is out of your comfort zone, perhaps stick to neighborhoods that fit your budget rather than penalizing a restaurant for its location, Zoe. As to everyone else.. Step into a world of old-world romance and culinary magic at your ultimate dining destination. Whether you are celebrating a milestone birthday like mine this past Sunday :) or simply craving an unforgettable evening, this legendary spot delivers an experience unlike anywhere else. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere captivates the senses. Dine al fresco on the charming, vibrant patio right by the pier overlooking the ocean, or step inside to marvel at the stunning European castle-inspired architecture and intimately romantic seating. Every corner whispers elegance, creating a backdrop so enchanting it is no wonder tables are consistently in high demand. Beyond the breathtaking ambiance lies a kitchen dedicated to absolute perfection. Indulge in the most flavorful, authentic homemade Italian dishes crafted with passion and precision of the Owner Manual's real Italian recipes. While it is an investment in an extraordinary dining experience, every single bite proves that quality of this caliber is truly priceless. Come see why everyone is trying to get a table--your new favorite tradition is waiting. I absolutely love it here. A few times here already. I had a prior several weeks ago rsvp surprise dinner for my Bday here this past Sunday and the service was good. The food dishes were even better. It would've been nicer if we got to sit at the one table at the open window but they gave it reserved to someone else (a senior man waiting and waiting for his younger guest to arrive as we got there first) that the staff knew and hugged. :(

I dined at Casa 12 Friday evening (8.21) and had my usuals which is the Caesar Salad with Chicken,…read moreand the Fusilli Funghi along with an Iced Tea and some bread. I thought the portions were actually smaller then usual, but delicious just the same. I sit at the bar and Marlise does a great job of juggling drinks and serving us orders at the bar. She is a welcomed addition to a very good staff. It was somewhat slow on this beautiful summer evening, but always festive and fun. The total bill with tax was $69.14 and a $15 Cash Tip for excellent service. Casa 12 is located at 12 Washington Blvd in the Marina where it meets with Venice. It is part of the Washington Square dining community that includes Mercedes Grill, The Whaler, Nalu Vida and Washington Square Pizza including Fat Sal's. Unfortunately two businesses recently closed which was the Indian Restaurant and the grocery store. Hopefully, those spaces will have new tenants and bounce back. Reservations are not needed, but suggested. The number is (310) 483-3577. HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR SINGLES, COUPLES AND LARGE PARTIES. GREAT FOR DRINKS OUTSIDE AND IN!

Venice local now, for nearly 4 years and I've only been to first Friday twice. Both amazing…read moreexperiences and now it's a ritual of my friends, neighbors, and family in the area. The last first Friday, I brought mama. We dropped but the food truck 8E8 and bought thai iced teas, spicy drunken noodles, Tofu pad see Ew, and red curry. I literally ate my portion of food for 3 days straight, and it was more delicious every time. How does that work? They ran out of mangos and sticky rice! Next time, hope they are back next month in January 2024. :) There were so many other food trucks, close to 25 lining abbot Kinney all the way to Venice Blvd. such a fun local experience, found my neighbors/friends we hung out and had a great dinner sitting on the side of the road lol. That's Venice for ya, we just wing it bc why not.

This isn't a "useful" review…read more I got here just before the world changed. We hear about collective sacrifice during World War II and see movies where people are happy to go months out of their way to rescue Matt Damon from space, but reality involves violations of safety protocols, hateful and insane politics and letting cruise ship workers drift for months because apparently it's too dangerous to have the boat drop them off at 2AM. First Fridays is a reminder of a better era. The day of my February visit featured various typical and absurdly trivial dilemmas. Would I make it to the coast in time for sunset and would my phone battery die? And do I have the capacity to eat that delicious-looking fake meat from Original Herbivore after I just enjoyed real meat from Scroggins Smokehouse and various other things? Yeah, it seemed time to go back to the hotel after the amazing ribs, but the picture of the Reuben with faux pastrami was captivating. Little things I enjoyed about First Fridays: the palm trees at dusk are quite cinematic, and it seems more acceptable to talk to strangers here than in NYC, so I had a some Fieri-esque discussions here. It'll be a while before I take a plane again, but I'm thankful that First Fridays, its creative and hard-working vendors and its fusion-craving crowds built a classic California experience.