7 Must-Do Activities: the Best of Venice Beach on a Weekend

If you want to see the best of Venice Beach on a weekend, strap yourself in. You haven’t seen anything like this before.

Its reputation. Huge. The muscles. Huge. The personalities. Huge.

But, in terms of size, it’s actually relatively small. Stretching just three miles along the Los Angeles coastline, Venice Beach packs in about as much fun as it could possibly fit.

Yes, it’s touristy. But you’ve just got to accept that.

In return, you’ll enjoy one of California’s most energy-boosting and eccentric attractions. And if you only have a weekend in which to see it all, you should check out these seven activities.

1. People-watch on the Boardwalk

Let’s get it out the way first. You have to stroll the Boardwalk. Nay-sayers might object, saying it’s too tourist-heavy. And, yes, there are many, many tourists there.

But there are also gravity-defying acrobats, impossibly athletic break dancers, fantastic (and some not-so-fantastic) musicians, almost-unwatchable glass walkers, and future-predicting fortune tellers. And lots of eccentric bystanders.

It doesn’t cost anything to walk the mile-and-a-half paved route. But you might want to bring some loose change to reward the performers. Additionally, if you’re looking for something to bring home, there are plenty of shops vying for your tourist bucks. My advice would be to surprise someone with a tacky-yet-fun souvenir or two.

2. Go thrift shopping

Venice Beach is a Mecca for the alt-fashionistas. Hit the boardwalk and you’ll see what I mean. You can’t move for glittering piercings, full-sleeve tats, and clothes that are so bad they’re good. Yup, the Boardwalk is really a catwalk.

But, if you’re anything like me, you might need to raid a few clothes stores first to not look completely out of place. Now, there are plenty of high-end boutiques in Venice. But bargains can be found in the local thrift stores. Expect to find vintage pieces, quirky cut-offs, and super stylish accessories at reasonable prices.

3. Watch the skaters

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a journeyed skater or can’t tell your kick-flips from your pop shove-its. You must visit the iconic skate park on Venice Beach. There you’ll find an undulating concrete course filled with stylishly tattooed adrenaline junkies. Admittedly, that doesn’t sound too different from every other skate park.

But what separates Venice Skate Park’s offering is the stunning setting right on the sands. Join the throngs at sunset when the glorious rays cast a magical light over the action. What’s more, you’ll be part of history. Skateboarding was invented in California in the 1950s by bored surfers looking to get pumped while the waves were flat. It was and still is, the true home of skateboarding.

4. Admire the bodybuilders

Muscle Beach Venice. The home of ripped bros and bulging biceps. During your trip to Venice, set some time aside to watch the bodybuilders do what they do best: lifting something heavy and then putting it back down again. Of course, I’m just messing around. Those Herculean guys and gals are seriously impressive athletes.

Will you feel guilty about your unused gym membership? Probably. But shove those feelings deep in the closet where your gym card lies. Because Muscle BeachMuscle Beach is an icon of LA. At one point or another, it’s been the home gym of the world’s most famous bodybuilders, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. And you can work out where they once flexed. It’ll only set you back around $10.

5. Ride the waves with Californian surfers

Can you really come to California and not hit the waves? Answer: No. Luckily, Venice Beach is good for beginners and experienced riders alike. Breakwater, found at the center of the Boardwalk, is Venice’s most popular surf spot. Which means lots of people. Both a good and bad thing.

It’s good because you can seek lots of advice if you’re a newbie. But bad because you’ll probably get in someone’s way. A big no-no in the surfing world. If you want to feel comfortable and progress quickly, hire a surf instructor. You’ll be conquering the waves in no time. If you don’t fancy taking the plunge, an enjoyable morning can be spent watching the pros from the safety of the shore.

6. Relax on the canals

Venice Beach is bold, brash, and full of life. But at one point during your weekend, you’ll want to take it easy. And, for that, you should take a leisurely stroll along the Venice Canals. A far cry from the fire breathers and street performers of The Boardwalk, the canals were modeled on the waterways of Venice, Italy.

They’re obviously nowhere near as extensive but they do have a wonderfully European charm. Simply go with the plan to relax, admire the reflections, and ogle the (very) expensive houses that sit on the banks. And, once you’re done, you can dive straight back into the eccentricity that is Venice Beach – fully refreshed.

7. Eat on AK Boulevard

To keep up with the whirlwind that is Venice Beach, you’ll need sustenance. And when it’s time to eat, you should head straight for Abbot Kinney Boulevard. The mile-long street is lined with trendy boutiques, colorful murals, and edgy salons. It’s also a haven for foodies.

There are many, many restaurants to choose from. But for healthy, hipster cuisine, head to The Butcher's Daughter. The plant-based restaurant (or “vegetable slaughterhouse” as they call it) offers exquisite dishes without the guilt. And when you’ve got to walk past Muscle Beach every day that – for some reason – becomes important.

And there you have it: the mysterious and magical Venice Beach on a weekend. In part, maximizing your experience in Venice Beach is about wandering and seeing where your adventure takes you. So don’t be afraid of following your gut instincts and going with the flow.

But when you want more of a structure, enjoy these seven activities and you won’t go wrong. Oh, and remember to take your camera. There are lots and lots of incredible things to see in Venice. And you’ll need some physical evidence.

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Prepare to Be Dazzled at Mazatlan’s Carnival

…and Witness Mexican Culture at its Best!

This is my third time in Mazatlan but I always went in the Fall. Luckily, we came in winter this time and ran right smack into the Carnaval de Mazatlan 2019.  It is reputed to be the third largest carnival in the world, after Rio and New Orleans. We have been in Mazatlan for ten weeks by this time so it was but natural for us to have learned a lot about Mexican culture. But at the Carnaval Parade, it was encapsulated in dazzling hours of pageantry from 5-10 pm. We saw the best of Mexican culture.

dramatic sunset

This year’s theme was Equinox and the Parade started near the Diver’s Point on the Malecon. It traveled along the Avenue del Mar that hugs the long boardwalk. We watched the Parade from a raised platform built by the Hotel Hacienda, almost where it started. Jutting out from the hotel’s façade, our front row seats were a strategic spot from which I could take pictures of the floats and the people with the glorious sunset glowing on the ocean as a backdrop.

During the whole night, it became obvious that Mexicans enjoy music. This includes traditional Mariachi, Norteño, Ranchera, and Corridos. It was in Mazatlán that the loud, booming Banda music was born. In fact, bands are a regular feature at Mazatlan beaches. But at the Carnaval Parade, it was front and center. One of the most applauded floats regaled the crowd with Banda music played by a band from a gigantic platform on a very tall float.

"bullfighting" at the Parade

prized seafood on floats

The national sport of Mexico is Charreria, which consists of a series of equestrian events. But bullfighting, a tradition brought from Spain, is also popular. In fact, Mexico has the largest venue for bullfighting in the world, the Plaza México in Mexico City which seats 48,000 people. There is one in Mazatlan but the city has banned the sport due to the urging of animal safety enthusiasts. At the Carnaval Parade, the penultimate showcase was a surprising and entertaining mock bullfight of a matador and two huge “bulls.”

Mazatlan’s economy is built upon the strong foundation of agri and aquaculture. Being next door to America is, in fact, a major stimulus to the country’s economy and Sinaloa is so close to Arizona that it is even more pronounced here. The city is extremely proud of its seafood. On this previous post, I wrote about Mexican food and mentioned that Mazatlan is the “shrimp capital of the world.” Many floats featured the prized seafood: pulpo (octopus), langosta (lobster), delfines (dolphins), etc. in contrast to the others that put Mexican beauties on pedestals. 

Mexican beauties on pedestals

Of course, Bill preferred those ladies to the bulls and the seafood! But both will not win against the favorite drink. Pacifico beer, the most popular Mexican beer, was founded in Mazatlan in the 1900s by German settlers. At the Parade, there was a special viewing platform for their people. In fact, because they partly sponsored the event, it was a huge Pacifico float that started the parade.

The dancing horses of Mazatlan ended the Parade. That’s when we started to walk back to the hotel as there was no taxi or pulmoniya around. It took us about an hour to reach the roundabout where the Carnaval Parade was just turning right at Avenue Rafael Buelva to go to its end point, Old Mazatlan near the Catedral. On the walk, we saw hundreds of thousands of Los Mazatlecos, families having spontaneous parties with food they had brought (or bought from the many street food kiosks on the main avenue and all its side streets), senoritas and senoritos dancing to the loud Banda music on the street, children collecting confetti so they can throw them again, and chairs seeming to float on their own as they were being carried on shoulders back to the cars.

picking up confetti to throw again

The Parade was well staged and directed. It brings to mind Mexico’s outstanding film industry that has produced Oscar winners in the Best Director category like Alfonso Cuarón who just won for Roma (which also won the Best Foreign Film category). The outstanding color and creativity all along the Malecon also brought to mind the famous  Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Mexican History on a Float

Mexican culture reflects the country’s complex history: the Aztec and Mayan roots that became an important cradle of civilization, the 300 years of Spanish rule and influence, and the turbulent road to independence. In one night, the warmth and expressiveness of the Spanish and the creative and artistic bent of the indigenous were meshed and on display. We were prepared to be dazzled at the Carnaval Parade. And we witnessed the best in Mexican culture.

POSTSCRIPT

One of the floats seemed to caricature the President of the US with whom Mexico seems to have a tenuous relationship. You be the judge!

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Innsbruck, the Tyrolean Capital of the Austrian Alps: Lovely Down to Every Small Detail

That is a pretty huge claim to make but let me tell you why.

The Loveliness of Nature

As soon as our bus approached a valley sandwiched between the Karwendel Alps to the north and the Patscherkofel Series to the south, I couldn’t stop clicking my camera. The Tyrolean region from the Austrian side (probably also from the Italian), is a picture-perfect area. Purplish mountains, greenish meadows, colorful villages, feeding animals, and bright blue skies make for idyllic scenery, especially in fall.

view from our hotel

windows and treatments, five in Old Town and one in Axams

Right at the foothills in Axams, a suburb of Innsbruck, the Austrian capital of the region, is the Alpine Hotel Schlosselhoff, one of the resorts affiliated with one of our timeshares, Diamond Resorts International. It was our home in Austria for seven days. From our deck, we viewed cattle, sheep, and horses grazing on bright green grass. There were rustic cabins and blazing autumnal trees. This October was blessed with unusually gorgeous weather, the high 60s to low 70s, sunny and with no winds.

The Loveliness of the Architecture and History

We were given free passes to buses that run every fifteen minutes and take about thirty minutes to and from the Hauptbahnhof (Main Rail station). Another fifteen minutes of walking took us to Old Town Innsbruck. Yes, here in Europe I didn’t mind walking. I loved the architecture of the buildings so much I couldn’t stop taking photos of the windows and treatments that are so beautiful, lovely down to every small detail. The colors seemed to be coordinated, too. Even in the suburb Axams, they were the same, only they were painted and not sculpted.

Triumphal Arch, left, and Maria Teresa Square, right

And the loveliness went up even to a higher level at Old Town Innsbruck. First to appear during our walk from the Main Rail Station is the Triumphal Arch, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Then the Old Town Square with the statue of Maria Teresa spreads out with colorful buildings on both sides. If you walk towards the Inn River, you will get the spectacular sight of colorful buildings reflected on the water and with the mountains as a backdrop (see headline photo).

Goldenes Dachl, left, and Maximillian's Cenotaph, right

Towards the other side is the iconic Goldenes Dachl, built in 1500 for the wedding of 
Emperor Maximilian I. It glitters with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles.  It is over this balcony where the couple stood in front of adoring crowds to observe many events. Just around the corner is the heart of the Imperial Palace now an astonishing museum. Beside it is the St. James Cathedral which was under renovation. The Court Church was most interesting, containing Maximillian’s Cenotaph surrounded by his Black Men. He designed and commissioned this tomb even before his death.

The Loveliness of Modern Day Innsbruck

the Hungerburgbahn Terminal at Hungerburg

Just beyond all this history stands the LandesTheater, the Tyrolean State Theater, in bright yellow and the present-day Congress, a very modern red building, practically across each other. Across the Congress and beside the Theater is the Hofgarten, ten hectares of a green oasis. About a five-minute walk after these sites is the Hungerburgbahn hybrid funicular railway ride which takes you up to the midpoint village up the mountains of Hungerburg. There you have a lovely aerial view of Innsbruck. Gondolas for eight can take you to the top.

aerial view from Hungerburg

crystal stairs at the downtown Swarowski store

Nature has also so endowed Innsbruck that the city had been chosen to host many international competitions for winter sports like the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, the 1984 and 1988 Winter Paralympics, and the first Winter Youth Olympics in 2012. It was just too bad we didn’t have enough time to visit the Olympic facilities, especially the towering Bergisel Ski Jump.

The Loveliness of the Crystals

At Old Town Innsbruck, we were fascinated by a Swarowski store replete with exhibits of crystalline ladies’ dresses, bejeweled everyday things like cereals and soda cans, stairs in shimmering silver, and pieces of jewelry and souvenirs on sale! We hungered for more and so we took a trip to the Swarowski KystalWellten or Crystal World where millions of crystals are used to create monumental exhibits, both indoors and outdoors.

entrance to the Gift Shop

Indoors you go through room after room, each with different themes. We were fascinated by the Dome, the Holograms of Peace, Ready to Love, Icons of the World, Emotional Transformations, and many, many more. It is good that photography without flash is allowed. At the end of all the rooms is the gift shop which had more displays of bejeweled ladies’ gowns and other crystalline home décor carrying the brand name. The entrance to the shop is a tunnel of mesmerizing lights. And outdoors, you will find the amazing Jewel Monster and the glittering Cloud Forest.   

Cloud Forest

As you can see, it is easy to see why I fell in love with Innsbruck!

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Switching to the New A-Dream, the Australian Dream!

Lakes Entrance, Gippsland Lakes National Park

12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road

While watching the Australian Open on TV in Arizona in January 2017, I was taken by a series of scenes with a haunting voice-over by a woman. It was an invitation to see Melbourne’s beauty thru the words of the Aussie poet E. J. Brady in his piece “Far and Wide:”

Let me watch the sea rain falling

Smell the salt, deck-driven spray;

Let me hear the bush-birds calling

At the dawning of the day.

Let me see the sun-bars streaming

Down the valleys, 'ere the night;

Fills the world with pleasant dreaming

Love and coolness and delight.

Kyrie

You can just imagine the thrill I felt knowing that within three months of that tennis open, I was to spend four months in this lyrical land! My youngest daughter April had chosen Melbourne as her new home. And I was to take care of my grandson Kyrie while she and husband Clint settled down to their new jobs.

She is smart to choose the city. At the time, it had been the World’s Most Livable City, seven years in a row.  You see, her visa application to the UK was disapproved by technicality even after working there for four years. Earlier her application to join me in the US had also been denied. But it was Australia’s gain and the UK and US’ loss. It turns out that April's skills and talents are meant for Melbourne which has top ranking in five factors: healthcare, culture and environment, education, infrastructure, and stability. 

one of the many pedestrian bridges that cross the Yarra River

Healthcare

Kyrie is not even two, so I panicked when he didn’t stop crying one day. But in just a ten-minute walk, I got to a clinic. It was so easy to find a slot for an appointment. Although he isn’t assigned a permanent doctor, records are well kept so the transfer of medical information among staff is no problem. And all care is free! The bedrock of the Australian healthcare system is prevention and quality of life. Work/life balance is held sacred and companies keep workweeks at forty hours or under. My son-in-law Clint loves the beer and wine his office serves in the last couple of hours on Fridays while April relishes the chance to see Kyrie early. It's no wonder Australia's life expectancy is 82 years, #7 in the world (79 for the US, #26).  

Culture and Environment

South Melbourne Market

Ten minutes from their apartment are also many places of interest. Frequently, while I was babysitting, Bill would do sight-seeing walks. The South Melbourne Market, just after the children’s playground, is where Bill and I spent many an afternoon, Kyrie in tow in his stroller. We relished plates of paella, hot jam donuts, borek, dim sims, etc., after buying produce, wine, clothing, or whatever else we needed.  We simply walked in another direction and reach Downtown in just ten minutes, too. There we hopped on a Yarra River Cruise, explored the newest exhibits at the Convention Centre, and marveled at modern art in the many galleries. Other times we wandered around Street Art Alleys, relaxed at Federation Square and Flinders’ Station across it, and shopped at the malls or the Queen Victoria Market. There were theatres galore, casinos, and good old Chinatown. We caught up on all kinds of reading at the majestic State Library of Victoria. And sometimes we simply strolled the Southbank.  

Melbourne Museum at Carlton Gardens

A little farther away are lovely parks and gardens. Melbourne Park is where the Australian Open is held. The Royal Botanic, Fitzroy and Carlton Gardens are filled with flowers and plants and the ponds hum with ducks, fish, and birds. Museums, shrines, gathering places and other landmarks are located in these green oases right in the middle of the city. Even refreshing beaches are plenty nearby. Port Melbourne can be easily reached by tram in just five minutes from the apartment (or a longer walk). St. Kilda Beach has the awesome Luna Theme Park for kids and Brighton Beach is famous for the multi-colored bathing boxes.

the littlest penguins in the world at Philip Island

Easy road trips filled our weekends. We drove to see the littlest penguins of the world at Philip Island, had fruit scones and clotted cream up in the mountain town of Sassafras, and fished, crabbed, and feasted on seafood and swam at Gippsland Lakes National Park. Nature was at its best on a tour of The Great Ocean Road and Australia's "Gold Rush" history came alive in the town of Ballarat. At both the Grampians National Park and the Healesville Sanctuary, we played with kangaroos, koalas, kookaburras, wallabies, wombats, dingos and Tasmanian devils. My days got even brighter with all the wildly beautiful wattle trees in bloom everywhere! What else could a girl ask for (especially those in love with the color yellow)? 

right outside our motel room door at the Grampians National Park

Education

At the many parties that I attended with friends and relatives who had also migrated to Melbourne, I got another good answer to the question “Why is Melbourne the most livable city in the world?” I found out that elementary and high school education is free! And loans provided to any student who pursues higher learning come with payment terms so low and lenient that they might as well be free! A former staff, a past colleague, and a grade school classmate all had similar stories. All their children are already professionals or on the road to being one. What a great future little Kyrie has!

State Library of Victoria

Infrastructure

Made in Melbourne for Melbourne Tram System

Even if April had not chosen an apartment so centrally located, there is an efficient Tram system that takes you anywhere around the city. In fact, it is free to use in the many blocks around the central business district.  Sometimes an additional short bus ride is needed but it was so easy to go to all the places we visited except for the weekend trips when we rented a car. This makes it easy for millennials, like April and Clint, to postpone buying a car. Road trips are also so much fun because roads are as good as those in the American network. As a matter of fact, RVing is as commonplace in Australia as in America. And the bridges, both for vehicles and pedestrians, are superb in both form and function.

Stability

at the entrance to Yering Vineyards in the Yarra Valley

Isolated as a continent, Australia is free from border wars and conflicts. Immigration is largely controlled and strictly based on merit. Even if diversity is high, it is good. The Chinese have recently been coming in droves because they are making large investments in the economy. Rich in natural resources, mining and oil are topped only by services as economic contributors. But what fascinated us most is Australia’s wine industry. It is already the fourth largest in the world with more than sixty wine regions. We took road trips to four: Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, the Grampians, and the Pyrenees. 

wattle trees in bloom!

My four months in Melbourne showed me why the city “fills the world with pleasant dreaming, love and coolness and delight” and why it deserves the accolade, "Most Livable City in the World." It's like the American Dream has been overtaken by a new A-Dream, the redefined Australian Dream! My April has made a very good choice. Kyrie deserves no less.

colorful bathing boxes at Brighton Beach

Queen Victoria Market's winter night market

a cafe in the mountain town of Sassafras

Melbourne Skyline and Bolte Bridge in the Yarra River cruise

street art (#not so hopeless) tucked away in a far corner of an alley

chanced upon the Oz Comic Con at the Convention Centre