Walking Los Angeles: 38 of the City's Most Vibrant Historic, Revitalized, and Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods

by Erin Mahoney Harris, Zach Behrens

Overview

Walking L.A. is your portable guide to 40 walking tours exploring historic stairways, hidden streets, public artwork, and architecture, much of which even lifelong Angelenos probably never even knew existed. Completely updated, the third edition of this award-winning book expands and improves upon most of the existing routes with completely revised points of interest, including brand-new trips to Palos Verdes Peninsula, Manhattan Beach, Highland Park, Mar Vista, and Downtown's Art District.

This portable guide features detailed maps for each trip, original photos, and public transportation information. Route summaries make each walk easy to follow, and a "Points of Interest" section summarizes each walk's highlights, ranging from cultural institutions to the hippest spots to dine, drink, and shop.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780899978284
Publisher:	Wilderness Press
Publication date:	02/20/2017
Series:	Walking
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Erin Mahoney Harris is also the author of Visit California Farms, and has written for LA Parent Magazine. She lives with her family in Santa Monica, CA. Zach Behrens currently works as a Senior Communications Fellow for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Read an Excerpt

4: VENICE BEACH

BOUNDARIES: Abbot Kinney Blvd., Pacific Ave., Washington Blvd.

DISTANCE: About 2.25 miles

DIFFICULTY: Easy

PARKING: Free street parking is available on Ocean Avenue

Venice Beach may be the most distinctive beach town in all of Southern California thanks to its charming canals, which were built by real estate magnate Abbot Kinney in 1904 as an homage to the Venice in Italy. Unlike some other Westside neighborhoods, Venice Beach is more funky than fussy. That’s not to say that the people who live here, particularly in the areas that line the canals and the oceanfront, aren’t affluent, but it’s more affordable than Santa Monica next door, and one might argue that it has a good deal more personality as well. All that said, the neighborhood is just as susceptible to gentrification as any other: home prices have soared in recent years, and high-priced retailers have moved into the shopping districts. Nonetheless, the boho vibe is still very much alive and well.

Note: This walk can be particularly fun for both you and your pooch, provided it doesn’t get overexcited at the sight of ducks. If you do bring a dog, resist the temptation to remove its leash during the canal portion of the walk. Toward the end of the route, you’ll come to the Westminster Off-Leash Dog Park, where Rover can get footloose and fancy-free with his canine pals.

Walk Description

This excursion begins in the South Venice neighborhood, at the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Ocean Avenue. Begin by walking south on Ocean Avenue toward Linnie Avenue. Notice that the homes along this stretch of Ocean are all relatively modest in size and style, although one can’t help but wonder how long until these small dwellings are torn down and replaced with boxy mini-mansions, as seems to be happening in so many other Westside neighborhoods.

Turn right on Linnie Avenue.

Cross the bridge arching over the Eastern Canal, pausing on top to admire the interesting mix of homes lining the waterway. The houses here are decidedly grander than those on Ocean Avenue, ranging in architectural style from American Colonial Revival to modern to Tudor Revival.

On the other side of the bridge, make an immediate left to follow the sidewalk along the canal.

Follow the sidewalk as it turns right, taking you along Howland Canal. Ducks are everywhere, quackily going about their business, and small boats and canoes are docked in front of some houses. The homes along this waterway are all beautifully maintained, and each is distinct. Notable architectural styles here include Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, Cape Cod, and modern stucco beach homes with huge picture windows.

Cross Dell Avenue and then pause in the shade of a giant pine tree adorned with hanging glass lanterns to bask in the tranquil, salt-tinged air of this remarkable neighborhood. It’s an interesting mélange, this blend of old-world Italy and funky SoCal beach-culture lifestyle.

Follow the sidewalk as it turns right at the corner of Grand Canal.

Turn right to follow the sidewalk alongside Linnie Canal.

Shortly after turning the corner, cross the pedestrian bridge on your left to the other side of the waterway, and then turn right to continue walking next to Linnie Canal. After crossing Dell Avenue, on your left you’ll see Linnie Canal Park, a small playground complete with a dedicated duck habitat. Residents manage to do quite a lot with their relatively small amount of lot space. You’ll see edible gardens, majestic shade trees, and notable sculptures adorning front yards along this stretch.

At the end of Linnie Canal, turn left to follow the sidewalk and you’ll notice two unusually large residences on your left, one on each side of the alley. These matching structures look like something out of an Austrian village and appear to be the largest homes on the canals

Turn left to follow the sidewalk alongside Carroll Canal.

Turn right on Dell Avenue. When you reach South Venice Boulevard, you’ll spot a colorful mural depicting canal community life on the southwest corner.

Turn right on South Venice Boulevard and follow the sycamore-shaded sidewalk for a little under 0.5 mile to Abbot Kinney Boulevard. The Venice Farmers Market sets up in the parking lot in the median of South Venice Boulevard between Dell Avenue and Ocean Avenue on Fridays, 7–11 a.m.

Turn left on Abbot Kinney. This street has become a foodie’s dream in recent years with an influx of farm-to-table establishments like The Tasting Kitchen and Gjelina. If, however, you’re hungry for a tasty but decidedly more casual bite, you can’t go wrong with Lemonade, back on the corner of Abbot Kinney and Venice Boulevards.

Back Story: Venice of America Amusement Park: The area now known as Venice was originally founded as Venice of America by Abbot Kinney in the fledgling years of the 20th century. This themed resort town was built on reclaimed marshland and featured an amusement park, a heated indoor saltwater “plunge,” a miniature railroad, and more than 16 miles of canals, complete with Venetian gondolas and gondoliers. Unfortunately, expensive upkeep and the rise of the automobile meant that most of the canals were paved over by 1929, and the remaining six eventually fell into disrepair. Fortunately, those six were restored in the early 1990s, and today the neighborhood built around the canals is affluent and idyllic.

Continue along Abbot Kinney for 0.75 mile. This trendy shopping district pretty much exemplifies gentrification. While Abbot Kinney used to be decidedly quirky—some might even have called it gritty—the street’s bungalow storefronts now specialize in upscale casual-chic clothing, furnishings, and decor. In other words, if you’re looking for a crocheted bikini or a $100 hoodie, you’ve come to the right place.

Just before you reach Westminster Avenue, notice the low brick structure on the left with a faded metal sign that reads IRV’S FAMILY MARKET. The distinguished old building now houses art galleries and shops.

On the final block of Abbot Kinney, between Westminster Avenue and Main Street, you’ll come across The Cook’s Garden by HGEL, a nursery and garden-supply shop that supplies produce to area restaurants. Westminster Avenue Elementary School is across the street on your left.

Turn left on Main Street. This leg of the walk is a little drab compared with the thriving consumer mecca you left behind on Abbot Kinney but is punctuated with colorful murals. As you approach the corner of Westminster Avenue, you’ll see the Westminster Off-Leash Dog Park on your right. This is a good place to stop if you’ve brought your pooch along.

Cross Westminster and continue on Main Street about two blocks to the Windward Circle roundabout, which was a picturesque lagoon back in Kinney’s day, when more than 16 miles of canals snaked through the Venice of America.

At this point, you may choose to turn right on Windward Avenue, which will take you the few short blocks to the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Also known as Ocean Front Walk, this is a popular destination for tourists, skaters, and cyclists who like to cruise the waterfront. Sidewalk vendors hawk incense, T-shirts, and various tourist-targeted wares of questionable value. If you do take this detour, return the way you came to the corner of Main Street and Windward.

Walk south along the west side of the rotary to remain on Main Street.

Turn left on Venice Way and walk about a third of a mile.

Venice Way curves and becomes Ocean Avenue. Continue on Ocean Avenue to reach your starting point near the intersection of Linnie Avenue

Points of interest

• Venice Farmers Market Corner of Dell Avenue and South Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90291; Fridays, 7–11 a.m.
• The Tasting Kitchen 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291; 310-392-6644, thetastingkitchen.com
• Gjelina 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291; 310-450-1429, gjelina.com
• Lemonade 1661 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291; 310-452-6200, lemonadela.com/locations/westside/venice
• The Cook’s Garden by HGEL 1033 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291; 310-944-1151, groedibles.com
• Westminster O -Leash Dog Park 1234 Paci c Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90291; 310-310-1550, venicedogpark.org

Table of Contents

1. Castellammare in Pacific Palisades
2. Northwest Santa Monica
3. Northeast Santa Monica and Brentwood
4. Venice Beach
5. Mar Vista
6. Manhattan Beach
7. NoHo Arts District
8. Studio City’s Woodbridge Park
9. UCLA Campus in Westwood
10. Central Culver City
11. Culver City’s Baldwin Hills Stairs and Hayden Tract
12. West Hollywood Design District
13. Miracle Mile
14. Carthay Circle and South Carthay
15. Hollywood’s High Tower and Whitley Heights
16. Lower Beachwood Canyon
17. Upper Beachwood Canyon and Hollywoodland
18. Larchmont Village and Windsor Square
19. Koreatown and Wilshire Center
20. Los Feliz
21. Franklin Hills
22. Atwater Village
23. Glendale’s Brand Park and Kenneth Village
24. West Silver Lake
25. East Silver Lak
26. Echo Park and Angelino Heights
27. Elysian Heights
28. Frogtown (Elysian Valley)
29. El Pueblo de Los Angeles and Chinatown
30. Downtown Civic Center
31. Downtown Financial and Jewelry Districts
32. Little Tokyo
33. Downtown Arts District
34. USC and Exposition Park
35. Mount Washington
36. Historic Highland Park
37. South Pasadena
38. San Pedro Waterfront