Venice Beach California, the ultimate tourist and travel location, or a product of a weird parallel universe?

Weird and wonderful, probably describes this sun drenched location the best. At first glance originality may not be Venice's forte, as like the name, the muscle beach was stolen from Santa Monica.

In the 1890's, Abbot Kinney's dream of a renaissance resort and amusement park transformed a soggy marshland west of Los Angeles, California, into the "Coney Island of the Pacific". Despite disbelief and opposition at the time, his dreams materialized in grand style.

Unfortunately like the demise of the Red Line Tram system in Los Angeles, some crazy industrialists thought it best to fill in most of the canals in 1929, so there would be more streets for cars to drive down.

Over the past 20 years, America's new found passion for fun has aided in the rebirth of this fabulous vacation spot, creating the most colorful place on earth to "Hang out!" After Disneyland, Venice is the most popular tourist visitation/recreation spot in Southern California.

Entertainment is what Venice is all about, from Harry Perry the rollerblading turban adorned Jimmy Hendrix, to Robert Gruenberg, Venice's Chainsaw Juggler/Comedian, this spot has attracted unique street performers. Though it can be hard to come to terms with the bikini-clad singing granny?

Having the widest beach on the bay ... complete with bicycle paths (over 20 miles from Malibu to Redondo Beach), rollerblading, parks for children and a boardwalk the whole length of the beach, filled with vendors and entertainers. Muscle Beach is world famous for the their workout facilities ... and there is plenty of running room for joggers. Water sports abound ... the youngsters can enjoy surfing and swimming; the more mature, a brisk walk along the beach, with an amazing view that is filled with dancing Dolphins many times during the year. There is also a large number of sand volleyball courts and the competition is fierce, just ask Brad the sun-burnt manager of the Venice Whaler!

Venice offers excellent public recreational facilities including paddle tennis courts, not quite Wimbledon, though it seems to attract quite a lot of sweaty bodies, basketball courts for white men to practice jumping and that great Irish sport of handball at the beach. Nearby Venice's Penmar Park has public tennis courts and a golf course, just east of Lincoln Boulevard. The Venice fishing pier is a great place for anglers to spend a weekend afternoon, and if the catch is slim, they can rehearse their tall tales so when the reach the Venice Whaler, they are only red faced from the sun. (No Brad doesn't fish)

Right behind the Venice Whaler is Marina del Rey, the world's largest pleasure boat harbor. The marina is the only boat harbor on the bay, however plans are on the way for building a day slip at the Santa Monica Pier, (we are trying to get one closer to the Whaler, stay tuned for more info) There are slips for 5000 recreational boaters. Sailing is popular along with fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, rowing and cruising. From the upstairs patio bar at the Whaler, Catalina Island shimmers over the cresting waves a mere 26 miles away (8 hour sail). There is a wide selection of yacht clubs scattered around the marina, though the noisiest sea faring barnacled ridden scurvy can be found at the Pacific Mariners Yacht Club.

For those who find themselves in Venice after a traumatic separation from their armchairs, as in natural born spectators, there are volleyball, paddle tennis, handball and fitness competitions, plus skateboarding exhibitions and a host of other events as in LA's foremost pastime "people watching" on the famous Venice Beach boardwalk. This is also a good place for spotting wee movie stars as they prance around on movie locations. So if people watching or stargazing tickles your fancy ... the boardwalk is a great place to become the ultimate spectator ... or just do nothing ... and enjoy!