Must See Sights and Landmarks in Venice Beach Area

"7) If you’re not too tired, head to the Santa Monica Pier for sunset, which was one of the highlights of my entire trip. The lights are infectious, and the energy is just booming. Be sure to try a churro and/or a funnel cake (the ultimate boardwalk food), and ride the West Coaster in Pacific Park (the amusement park located on the pier) – the only oceanfront rollercoaster on this side of the country. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but the sunset and rides make up for that in my opinion."

"⠀ ⠀ **********************⁣⠀⠀ ⠀ Shot on @GetOlympus⠀⠀ Post 70/365. A post shared by Christian (@christiangcornejo) on Apr 19, 2019 at 9:08pm PDT. This famous pier can provide the perfect backdrop for quintessential summer photos."

"The Santa Monica Pier is apart of this city’s crown and glory. The activities on the pier are endless and so are the photo possibilities. It’s an excellent place to fish, shop, ride rides, eat, and party."

"Full of trendy restaurants, cozy cafes and lively bars, the Anaheim Packing District is a treat to explore. Set right in the heart of the city, the happening area not only encompasses a wonderful food hall and farmer’s market but gorgeous outdoor areas and an orange grove too. Sprawling over several blocks, the district’s forty or so unique eateries occupy a number of historic buildings that have been wonderfully restored and reimagined."

"The popular Anaheim Packing District is a historic area which features several eateries and hosts various outdoor events. It is located at the intersection of Anaheim Boulevard and Santa Ana Street. Anaheim Packing District makes the most of the perfect combo of verified history and unforgettable food."

"It might seem a little too cheesy or touristy, but a first timers’ trip to Los Angeles is not complete without checking out the Hollywood Walk of Fame. While it wasn’t even close to being my favorite activity, but it’s one of those places you’ve just gotta see. I’ve scheduled it towards the end of my 2 days in Los Angeles itinerary because if it’s something you don’t have time for, you can leave it off the list. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is much larger than I expected, spanning several city blocks."

"Is a visit to LA complete without doing the Hollywood Walk of Fame and seeing the Chinese Theatre?!. Probably not, but in my opinion it is a little disappointing. I mean sure you can see the stars and see some handprints at the Chinese Theatre but I don’t know, I think I expected more."

"The Hollywood Walk of Fame is filled with costumed characters looking for money, and pushy street vendors selling junk. Other aspects of Hollywood Boulevard are run-down, shadows of their former selves."

"You’ll eventually come across the Venice Beach Boardwalk, which is full of hundreds of street vendors and performers, including break-dancing, jugglers, mimes, and musicians. You’ll also see medical marijuana dispensaries, shops to buy sunglasses, shirts, and other souvenirs, and plenty of restaurants, juice spots and bars, as well as a big amount of homeless and hobos – it’s all part of the culture!"

"Muscle Beach & Venice Boardwalk – We are big fans of doing the beach relatively early in the day for some crisp morning air and low crowds. Odds are against a stunning sunrise, so you don’t need to arrive that early, but arriving by around 9 a.m."

"After dinner, stroll through Hollywood Boulevard one last time, take in the sights and sounds before heading back to your hotel room to rest up for day three.Choose between Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, and LEGOLAND California on day three. Day 3: Your Choice of Theme Park"

"Continue on down Hollywood Boulevard to the intersection of Hollywood & Highland, which is a great spot for a photo of the Hollywood sign in the distant hills. Further along down on Sunset is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Who’s your favorite star?"

"The complete Walk of Fame runs for 15 blocks along Hollywood Boulevard and 3 blocks of Vine Street (1.3 miles in total) and will take roughly 45 minutes to an hour to walk the whole thing. Have fun looking for all of your favourite stars!"

"The Mission San Gabriel Arcángel is an important Los Angeles landmark that can serve as a great backdrop for your portrait photography. Although photography around the outside of the mission doesn't require a permit, we'll need a permit access to the interior gardens. To take full advantage of this location, a permit is recommended."

"The San Gabriel Mission was the fourth California mission to be built out of a total of 21. This mission was founded in 1771 and was named for Archangel Gabriel. Franciscan priests founded the mission, which In 1775 was moved five miles east to its current location after military interference."

"San Gabriel Mission Church, museum, gardens and gift shop is a really neat experience!. I really enjoyed walking around and seeing/learning about all the… read more ». Rating: 4 based on 38 reviews"

"Churro Borough is well known for The Original churro ice cream sandwich, which features your choice of ice cream flavors paired with two warm churro discs, otherwise known as the ultimate churro experience. They utilize top quality ingredients in their delicious desserts, crafting unique ice cream flavors like their horchata sherbet, spicy hot chocolate, matcha green tea, and vanilla custard. In addition, popular seasonal ice cream flavors include strawberry buttermilk, chocolate cookie malt, and brown butter cookie sorbet."

"Churro Borough, which is conveniently located near the iconic Griffith Observatory, offers desserts as hip as the surrounding neighborhood of Los Feliz. Although I do love the Churro Fries dipped in chocolate sauce, the ice cream sandwich is what this place is known for. The warm fried churro encasing the small-batch ice cream is a combination you never knew you needed to try until now."

"You’re bound to forget about the urban world around you when you take a romantic stroll through Palisades Park and all it has to offer. Enjoy the stunning ocean views, walk through the little rose garden with its sculptures or take a picnic and soak up the atmosphere. It also happens to be one of the best places to experience the magnificent sunsets."

"If you’re looking for one of the best places to visit in California, Palisades Park is definitely on the list!. Located by the ocean between Ocean Avenue and the beautiful beach, it is a bluff-top park that gives you the most stunning panoramas of the coastline. Spanning 26 acres, this park is a favorite of locals and visitors alike."

"The Wrigley Mansion, also known as The Tournament House, has been the home of the Tournament of Roses since 1958, when the Ada Wrigley (of the chewing gum family fortune) donated the massive home to the city of Pasadena for just that purpose. It’s the place where the annual New Year’s Day Rose Bowl Game and Rose Parade are planned, and where the queen and princesses are named and prepared for all their duties leading up to the big day. Those two big events take a lot of planning, which means that taking a guided tour of this over-the-top mansion only happens from February to September, for while this is Tournament House is a throwback to 1906 when it was built, the Italian Renaissance-style home is still used constantly and is an integral part of pulling off the massive parade and football game every year."

"The Tournament House, also known as Wrigley Mansion, is the permanent headquarters for the Tournament of Roses – the organization behind Pasadena's annual Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. The mansion was given to the City of Pasadena by the Wrigley family in 1958 – the same Wrigley name behind the gum. The Tournament House offers free tours on Thursdays, February through August, with each tour lasting one-hour."

"Not many know this, but you can visit the arbor and rose garden at the Wrigley Mansion, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses House. It’s a lovely and easy stroll. One that can easily be done and enjoyed at any time."

"Upon land inherited from his father, Ned Doheny spent over $3 million - including $1 million for Greystone Mansion alone - constructing his estate in a combination of Gothic and Neo-Classical architectural styles, using steel reinforced concrete, Indiana limestone and Welsh slate. Just five months after he and his family moved in, he was found shot to death by his longtime friend, Hugh Plunket. Through a sale of the estate and mansion to a couple of different developers and eventually the City of Beverly Hills, the entire grounds were dedicated as a public park in 1971, and are also the site of the city’s largest reservoir."

"Located in Beverly Hills at 201 Doheny Road, the Greystone Mansion is often overlooked since its tucked away in the hills. Built in 1927 by oil tycoon Eduard L. Doheny, this well preserved Beverly Hills mansion on 18.3 acres of land is uniquely historic site and the gorgeous gardens are some of the most exquisite in the city. The mansion’s interior can be viewed during private small group tours while the exterior grounds and garden are open to the public daily."

"Purchased by the city of Beverly Hills in 1965 from Edward Doheny, Jr., Greystone Mansion has became one of the most beautiful public city parks in the city of Los Angeles, attracting tourist and locals with its breathtaking views and lush gardens. Included in the National Register of Historic Places the estate can be seen in numerous films and photoshoots. While the mansion is only open during special events the park grounds is open every day till 6 p.m."

"Hailed as the first ever World Surfing Reserve by the non-profit Save the Waves Coalition, Surfrider Beach boasts amazing surf breaks right in the shadow of the Malibu Pier. As part of the Malibu Lagoon State Beach, the impressive swells created by Malibu Point draw waveriders of all ages and experience. Non-surfers can pack a picnic and play in the sand, bird watch on a walk through the lagoon and even try saltwater fishing up on the pier."

"Head down the path from the bluff and you’ll discover the beautiful tranquility of Malibu Lagoon State Beach where the creek meets the ocean. This wetland area is home to hundreds of species of migratory birds and just a great place to have a stroll. Take a moment, too, to look into the Malibu Lagoon Museum at Adamson House to learn more about the history of the town, and enjoy some of the best views over the beach."

"Malibu Lagoon State Beach is often interchanged with Malibu Surfrider Beach. Both are found on the Pacific Coast. Surfrider sits on the Expect to pay $12 of parking your vehicle here."

"While there are beaches all around the Santa Monica Area, none are quite as accessible and exciting as Santa Monica State Beach. Extending almost four miles along the length of the city, this popular and beautiful stretch of sandy beach is where you can find the crowds on hot, sunny days. However, if you are seeking a quieter place to take a dip in the Pacific, there are more remote spots further down the beach that you can walk to."

"Ocean Ave at Colorado AveSanta Monica, CA 90401(310) 458-8300. Resting along Santa Monica’s Pacific Coast Highway, this 3.5-long beach offers plenty of kids activities."