When thinking of the Venice Canals, one pictures the 150 magnificent canal waterways in Italy…but did you know you can find a mini Venice in Southern California just steps from the Pacific Ocean?

Origin

Developer Abbot Kinney had a vision to bring the beauty of the Venice Canals to California. After men and machines dug for miles and drained the marshes, Venice of America opened with great fanfare on July 4, 1905. Garnering the nickname “Coney Island of the Pacific”, There were ornate Venetian style businesses in the area, a full-size amusement pier, and beautiful gondolas brought all the way from Venice, Italy.

Rise of the Automobile

The canals contributed greatly to real estate success in the area, and they were a favorite for out of town tourists in the early 1900s. However, as automobiles grew in popularity, the canals started to be seen as a hindrance to the community. By the mid-1920s, there was a proposal to fill in the canals and convert them into public roads. On July 1, 1929, dump trucks began pouring their first loads of dirt to fill in the once adored waterways.

By 1930, all of the canals had been filled in and paved as roadways with the exception of six short waterways. These remaining canals were spared due to their location in a rural undeveloped area to the south, as well as the contractors going bankrupt after the Great Depression.

Renovation & Preservation

For decades the remaining canals were left in total disrepair, but in the early 1990s there was a major renovation. The canals were drained, new sidewalks and walls were built, and the area was revitalized to its former beauty.

While the total remaining canals measure just over a mile and a half long, the Venice Canals Historic District is a calm oasis in the heart of the eclectic Venice beach town, and is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

Important facts to keep in mind when visiting:

• Six waterways (Carroll, Linnie, Howland, Sherman, Eastern and Grand) form a grid with three residential islands. Each are lined with walkways and are easily accessible from multiple bridges placed throughout the neighborhood.
• You can find street parking on Ocean, Dell or Washington, as well as a paid parking lot next to the Venice Boardwalk at Washington Blvd and Ocean Front Walk. Just make sure to check for posted street signs when parking on the street…the Los Angeles Parking Enforcement regularly patrols these areas.
• The walkways are set In front of residential homes, so be respectful and keep any noise to a minimum.
• The walkways are dog friendly, as long as dogs are kept under your control on a leash.
• You can see small fish swimming in the canals, and there are lots of ducks all around.
• CHECK THE TIDE CHARTS! See more info on this below…

Tides

The Venice Canals are a perfect place for a quiet walk away from the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk any time of year. Just be sure to check the tide charts, because the water enters the canal through sea gates that open during low tide to drain most of the water. They then close at high tide, trapping the water for around three days before repeating this process. The canals are beautiful during high tide, but when they flush out at low tide, the canal water level can get very low, looking quite a bit less glamorous. (see low and high tide images below) 😉

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

I personally think sunrise or sunset during high tide is the most beautiful time here, but anytime the water level is high, this place is truly magical.

Make sure to check out the Behind the Blog video below for even more canal views. Until next time I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!

Venice Canals of California...a Hidden Oasis