Venice Beach Live Cam

Abutting Santa Monica's south side on the Pacific Coast Highway



History

Venice Beach is a coastal neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, California, known for its vibrant beach culture, boardwalk, and unique history.

The area was originally developed in 1905 by a wealthy tobacco magnate named Abbot Kinney, who aimed to create a resort town modeled after Venice, Italy. Kinney hired architects to design a network of canals and bridges, along with numerous shops, restaurants, and amusement attractions.

In its early days, Venice Beach became a popular destination for tourists, with millions of visitors flocking to the area each year. The canals were particularly popular, with gondolas and water taxis transporting people along the picturesque waterways.

However, by the mid-1920s, the canals had fallen into disrepair and most were filled in to create roads. The Great Depression hit Venice Beach hard, and many of the amusement attractions closed down.