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Venice Beach is a world-famous town, developed in the early 20th century and modeled after Italy’s Venice, complete with canals.
Only instead of being lined with churches and piazzas, they’re lined with mansions, with funky boutiques and restaurants just around the corner.
This Los Angeles neighborhood is best known for its boardwalk running along a wide stretch of golden sand —which has become a bit of a Mecca for people-watchers owing to the area’s colorful characters. In nearby Muscle Beach, you’ll see muscle builders pumping iron under the sun while walkers, joggers, cyclists, skateboarders. and rollerbladers fill the walkway. There are also street vendors and performers, from musicians and beat boxers to skateboarding dogs and the Venice Beach glass man, who jumps on shards of thick glass for your entertainment.
Fun fact: Venice Beach has been featured in many movies and TV shows, including “Speed,” “Bay Watch,” “Three’s Company,” “Jackie Brown,” “Grease,” and “Get Shorty.”
Along the hippest street in Venice Beach, Abbot Kinney, you’ll find the best boutiques, coffee shops, bars and restaurants. To base yourself in the heart of it all, these are the best airbnbs in Venice Beach for your next super-unique SoCal getaway.
Related Read: 8 Epic Weekend Road Trips From Los Angeles
1. Venice Beach Loft
Why you should stay: Stunning views from the roof deck and less than 5 minutes to the beach.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $190/night
Perfectly situated near the beach, canals, shopping and dining, this beautiful Venice Beach loft offers all the essentials – and then some. It includes a roof deck where you can relax on one of the loungers, grill your dinner on the BBQ, and then enjoy it alfresco with city and canal views.
Guests often note the “homey” feel of the space, the extra-comfortable bed and the warm and welcoming hosts who ensure a pleasant stay.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 10 of the Best Airbnbs in Oakland, California
2. The Cactus Flower
Why you should stay: Sustainable hideaway close to everything with a resort-worthy outdoor space.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $297/night
The Cactus Flower provides an idyllic retreat with its own private desert-style cactus garden, which is an enchanting place to relax. Thanks to the seamless connection to the outdoors and the proximity to the restaurants of both Venice Beach and Santa Monica, this is one of the most sought-after airbnbs in Venice Beach.
Eco-friendly, the guesthouse is powered by solar (including solar radiant floor heating) and filled with special touches like complimentary Nespresso and fresh fruit, flowers, and organic soap to ensure you have a memorable stay.
Check Availability3. Historic Venice Apartment
Why you should stay: Ideal location, historical character, modern amenities, and many special extras.
- Sleeps: 3
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $133/night
As the name belies, this Venice apartment offers not only historical charm, but also a location just a half-block from famous Venice Beach. Just about anywhere in Venice Beach will be right in your backyard with a stay here. Clean and comfortable, the home sits within one of the neighborhood’s original 1910 craftsman homes and comes with lots of extras like beach towels, personal bath products, fresh coffee beans, and a grinder.
For those who want to get active, the apartment even comes with boogie boards, a surfboard, and a couple of bikes for further exploits. While it’s popular with couples, it can fit a small family, with a pack-n-play and noise machines available for those with little ones.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 9 of the Best Airbnbs Near Monterey, California
4. Private Architectural Loft
Why you should stay: Unique and stylish space filled with impressive artwork and walkable to everything.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $179/night
This architecturally significant loft sits in a quiet neighborhood, walkable to the beach, Abbott Kinney Blvd., and just about everywhere else you want to go. A clean and modern space, you’ll not only have all the comforts of home, but a communicative host and access to an outstanding CD collection.
Check Availability“I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at this unique, stylish little loft just off the Venice walk streets. Very thoughtfully designed with plenty of natural light, surrounded by trees. This is a great place to kick back and lounge in the Eames chair and read or listen to jazz music! David was the perfect host and the check in process was extremely easy. I will definitely stay again!”
5. Ocean Breeze House Near Abbott Kinney
Why you should stay: Ideal location close to shopping, dining and the beach with lots of desirable amenities
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 30 nights (subject to change in light of COVID-19 restrictions)
- Rates from: $190/night
The Ocean Breeze House offers the quintessential Venice Beach stay. It’s artsy, colorful, and quirky, just like the famous neighborhood itself. You’ll be within walking distance to the beach and dining and shopping on Abbott Kinney, though if you don’t want to go out, the illuminated backyard with a koi pond provides the perfect spot for unwinding after a day of exploring.
Bikes are included to make getting around easier, and if you spend a lot of time using your muscles, you’ll especially appreciate being able to soak in the clawfoot tub.
Check Availability6. Tranquil And Contemporary Guest Suite
Why you should stay: A quiet setting surrounded by nature close to Venice attractions.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $155/night
Enjoy a magical stay in this self-contained suite with its own separate entrance, set within a secluded garden overlooking a lily pond with hummingbirds that frequently flitter about. It’s a true Zen-like space for unwinding and recharging in a peaceful oasis while being convenient to every part of town, including the beach and Abbot Kinney Blvd.
One of the best value airbnbs in Venice Beach (or anywhere in the L.A. area,) you’ll be just a 15-minute drive from LAX with popular spots like Hollywood and the Santa Monica Pier within easy reach, too. The helpful host will be happy to provider insider tips on places to go you may not know about if you ask for some itinerary advice.
Check Availability7. Venice Beach Quiet Escape
Why you should stay: Loads of amenities and special extras practically on the boardwalk.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 3 night
- Rates from: $175/night
This bright and colorful guest cottage is in the heart of Venice Beach, within walking distance of the boardwalk and the neighborhood’s most popular shopping and dining spot. But it’s far enough from the noise of the crowds that you’ll sleep well at night. Gjusta, an artisanal bakery and a favorite for breakfast, is just steps away.
The often-raved-about host goes above and beyond, providing lots of special touches, from coffee and breakfast foods to beach gear and items for little ones like a stroller, high chair, and even kids’ bikes. Want to try boogie boarding? Grab the boogie boards for a memorable time in the surf. There’s even a charging station in the garage for your electric vehicle.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: Surf’s Up! 10 Great Airbnbs in Santa Cruz, California
8. ‘Sanitized’ Hip Venice Experience
Why you should stay: A retro stay in a vintage airstream/guesthouse at an affordable price
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 30 nights (subject to change in light of COVID-19 restrictions)
- Rates from: $88/night
Look forward to a unique experience in guesthouse modeled off a vintage airstream, perfect for those seeking a perfectly quirky Venice Beach stay. Not only is it very budget-friendly, but it has a cool retro feel with mint green and cream tones, combined with a tropical vibe that carries into the flamingo shower curtains and surfer photo books.
The home is in a peaceful spot in the host’s backyard within walking distance to the canals, the beach and Marina Del Rey. Guests can also enjoy al fresco dining under the palm, fig and banana trees on a turquoise cafe table and chairs. Inside, you’ll find air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a fully stocked kitchenette.
Check Availability9. Boho Beach Cottage
Why you should stay: Cute, clean, and affordable with a highly rated local host.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $108/night
Just a few blocks from Rose Avenue’s popular shops and restaurants and about a 20-minute walk (or a short drive) to the beach, this adorable boho beach cottage offers quirkiness and comfort. Your host provides lots of thoughtful extras including coffee, sparkling water, and bikes to easily explore the area on two wheels.
Check Availability“Jami’s guest house is absolutely fantastic. Not only is it stylish on the inside and out, but it truly has that “homey vibe” due to the thoughtful touches from Jami herself. The great art and stylish decorations make the place feel good to be in…Jami greeted us upon our arrival and was very kind…The location is fantastic, just a short walk to Whole Foods, a 20-min walk to the beach, and very near an excellent diner. We were so pleased with our stay, and look forward to coming back someday. Thank you, Jami!”
Plan Your Trip to Venice Beach
Once you’ve decided on the best of the airbnbs in Venice Beach, it’s really just time to decide how you’ll fill your days (and there are plenty of options.)
- Take a stroll along the canals and admire the multi-million dollar homes.
- People watch and check out the street performers on the famous, over two-mile-long Venice Beach Boardwalk.
- Tour the unique Mosaic Tile House, a 1940s home transformed into a work of art with colorful tiles, mirror shards, glass, and other found objects ( reservations are required.)
- Get up close to sea life at the “museum with walls,” the Venice Oceanarium on the pier.
- Shop Abbot Kinney’s independent boutiques. If you can be there on the first Friday of the month, you’ll be able to mingle with the locals and indulge in tasty eats from one of dozens of L.A.’s top food trucks.
- Capture a stunning sunset photo from one of the best vantage points around, the Venice pier.
- Take a walking tour of the famous Venice Beach filming sites while learning more about the movies and the history of the neighborhood.
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