Vacationers in Venice do not have to stroll far to find the nearest beach. Just take a 15 minute walk from Downtown, and you will reach Venice Beach with its turquoise water, excellent cleanliness and relaxed atmosphere.
WHAT MAKES VENICE BEACH SO SPECIAL?
Venice Beach, also known as Venice Municipal Beach, can comfortably be reached via Venice Avenue. Large sand dunes separate the beach from the main street.
Granted, there are beaches in Florida where the sand is more powdery-soft and white. What draws visitors to Venice Beach, however, is its excellent cleanliness and infrastructure. Parking is free, and life guards have a watchful eye on the little guests. There are picnic areas and volleyball nets, as well as toilets and showers. The clientele is a bit older, so you do not have to worry about parties and loud music.
The crystal-clear water gets deep quite fast – perfect for swimmers, but also for snorkelers who want to see colorful fish. And while sea turtles are a rare sight in the water, their nests are often found on the beach. Shelling is a favorite pastime in South Florida, and Venice Beach is no exception. In addition to colorful sea shells, visitors can collect real shark teeth in the surf. If you are lucky, you might even find the teeth of prehistoric species – a perfect souvenir for your loved ones at home.
During the summer months, the weather at Venice Beach is mostly warm and rainy while the winters are cool and windy. February to May and October to early December is widely considered the best time to swim here. Then, guests can enjoy pleasantly warm temperatures with little precipitation. However, if you want to have the beach for yourself and do not mind the afternoon showers, you should visit Venice Beach in the summer.
Restaurants and Shops at Venice Beach
A popular dining spot at Venice Beach is the Pilot House with its classic American cuisine and fresh seafood. This restaurant serves fast food such as burgers, hotdogs, grilled cheese and French Fries, as well as fried shrimps, salads and fresh smoothies. If you want, you can order takeaway and enjoy your food in the picnic area. Looking for more variety? Then take a 10 minute walk to Downtown Venice with its Italian trattorias, bakeries, cafés and cocktail bars.
Forgot your sunscreen at home? No problem. The Beachside Food Mart is only a 5 minute walk away from Venice Beach. Here, you can also buy snacks and drinks. On Saturdays, the Farmers Market in the parking lot of Venice City Hall offers fresh vegetables, fruits and baked goods, as well as handcrafted jewelry. The market is located only half a mile away from the beach, so you should definitely stop by and get some food for your picnic.
Accommodation Options at Venice Beach
The area around Venice Beach has no shortage of accommodation options for every budget. Just 100 yards away lies the top-rated Inn at the Beach. This quaint, little hotel features spacious rooms with kitchen units and has its own swimming pool. If you want to save money, the Island Breeze Inn is perfect for you. This clean motel with pool and barbecue area is located just 1.5 miles away from the beach.
Vacation houses near Venice Beach combine the amenities of a hotel with the privacy of your own home. Situated only 6 miles away is The Place, a villa with indoor pool, 3 spacious bedrooms, flat-screen TVs and a fully furnished kitchen. Another highly recommended place is the Villa Happy Gator 15 minutes from historic Downtown. Looking for more family-friendly vacation homes? Then you should check out South Venice, a laid-back small town of 14.000 people.
Directions to Venice Beach
You can walk to the beach from Downtown Venice in 20 minutes. Guests based in Cape Coral and Tampa will need approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there by car.
