Founded by Abbot Kinney in 1905 as an elaborate beach front resort originally called Ocean Park, the area, which included a series of canals and amusement park rides that made it a major tourist attraction, was officially renamed Venice in 1911. For its first years, the area thrived, but after Kinney’s death in 1920, Venice became difficult to govern and its infrastructure fell into disrepair, prompting a successful vote for annexation to the City of Los Angeles in 1925. Having been revived from its once-disrepaired state, today, Venice is one of the most eclectic and vibrant areas in Southern California. Home to some 37,000 residents, this coastal community contains a mixture of residential and commercial properties, but is most famous for its beachside attractions, including Muscle Beach.
Key Information
Venice Neighborhood Council
Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library
Venice Farmer's Market
Venice Chamber of Commerce
Public Safety
Fire Station 63
LAPD Pacific Division
LAFD Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Battalion 4, Division 2 Group D
Public Schools
Beethoven Elementary School
Broadway Elementary School
Coeur d’Alene Elementary School
Mark Twain Middle School
Venice High School
Walgrove Elementary
Westminster Elementary School
Places of Worship
2nd Community Baptist Church
1041 Abbot Kinney
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 392-5632
Church of Christ Venice
First Baptist Church of Venice
First Lutheran Church of Venice
New Bethel Baptist Church
Open Temple
St. Mark Catholic Church
Temple Mishkon Tephilo
Venice Baptist Church
Venice Foursquare Church
1400 Rivera Ave.
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 452-4328
Venice United Methodist Church
Parks & Recreation
Canal Park
Oakwood Recreation Center
Penmar Recreation Center
Triangle Park
Venice Beach Recreation Center
Venice High School Pool
Neighborhood Organizations
North of Rose Homeowners Association
Penmar Homeowners Association
President’s Row Association
Venice Town Council
venicetowncouncil.org
Venice Walk Streets Neighborhood Association
Venice Canals Association
East Venice Neighborhood Association