Venice Beach

Living in Southern California, one would think I would have been to Venice Beach more times than I would lever like to  admit. The truth is though, up until now, I'd never been to the place! Thus, I decided to plan a day. I took the day off work and headed west for the beach.

Overall, I have to say I did not enjoy Venice all that much, it was overated and overrun with gang bangers and druggies. I thought I had made a wrong turn and walked into the parking lot of the Great American Smoke Out concert, what with pot head after pot head either asking for marijuana or protesting legal bans!

Of course, I rarely ever have good first impressions of places, so who knows, the next time I go I might fall in love. I did enjoy walking the canals. The homes were lovely and the view was pleasant.

Street Performers

Children's Park on the beach


















Muscle Beach

The Canals

Venice Sign in reverse












The Big "V"



























Tree Man and Faith







One funny thing did happen on this trip.  At least, it is funny now.  Among all the street performers, vendors and junkies, was a man making sand sculptures right along the boardwalk.  As we approached his sculpture of a big lizard, we pointed it out to our oldest daughter.  Unexpectedly, to our dismay, she stepped towards it and proceeded to stomp the lizard sculpture down!  Horrified, my wife screamed, drawing even more attention to the scene!  I felt so terrible I reached into my pocket to give the guy some money, as he took it, with our apologies, he said to us, "its not the first time today".