Venice Canals
The Venice Canal Historic District is listed on both the City of Los Angeles Historic Places Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
The Venice Canal Historic District lies off 25th Street in Venice Beach, with access at 2480 Pacific Avenue. Abbot Kinney opened the man-made canals on July 4, 1905, and today a free walk leads past century-old bungalows and ultramodern homes across footbridges.
History of Venice's Surviving Canals
Developer Abbot Kinney built these man-made wetland canals in 1905 as part of his Venice of America project, recreating the appearance of Venice, Italy, in coastal Los Angeles County. Only six of the original canals survive—four running east-west (Carroll, Linnie, Howland, and Sherman) and two running north-south (Eastern and Grand)—though the network was once three to four times larger. Unlike its Italian counterpart, the Grand Canal has no bridge crossing it, and the historic district faced demolition threats in the mid-20th century before being revitalized in the 1990s.
Best Photo Spots
Here are four photo spots in the Venice Canals: a canal-side park, a peephole art installation, a boat launch ramp, and an avenue.
Linnie Canal Park
Photographs of This Location
History of Abbot Kinney's Venice Canals
Abbot Kinney opened his Venice Canals development on July 4th, 1905, drawing a crowd of 40,000 people to a Southern California neighborhood designed to emulate the waterways of Venice, Italy. The original system of seven canals bore names such as Grand, Lion, Venus, and Coral, but by the 1920s the network was viewed as outdated due to rising automobile use. After a 1924 city decision and a subsequent Supreme Court ruling, almost all the canals were filled in by the end of 1928 to make room for paved roads. The surviving canals were drained and rebuilt with new sidewalks and walls during a 1992 renovation, reopening the following year.
Common Questions
Plan to spend 1 to 1.5 hours at the Venice Beach Canals.
Only six of the original canals remain today, down from an area once three to four times larger.
No, the Venice Canals are public spaces open at all times with no specific hours.
Most visitors spend 1-2 hours walking the canals, bridges, and nearby residential streets, with photographers often wanting extra time.
The Venice Canals are situated between Washington Boulevard and Venice Boulevard, east of Strongs Drive and west of Ocean Avenue, near the Pacific coast.
No, swimming in the Venice Beach Canals is strictly prohibited.
Venice Canals Historic District History
The Venice Canals Historic District in Los Angeles dates to 1905, when Abbott Kinney's Venice of America opened with man-made canals that visitors reached by streetcar. Most of the original network was filled in during the 1920s and 1930s to make way for roads, and only six canals remain today, lined with walking paths and crossed by small bridges. Between 1991 and 1993, the city restored the surviving canals to a depth of five feet, adding retaining walls, new sidewalks, and saltbush shrubs along the walkways.
Practical Information
Free parallel parking is available on Venice Beach between Ocean and Pacific, but avoid parking on red and green areas.; Public lots on Venice Boulevard between Ocean Avenue and Pacific Avenue are cheaper than private lots.; A beachfront parking lot is available at the end of Venice Boulevard.
Every Day, Open 24 Hours; 24 hours; No specific hours
free; Visiting the Venice Canals is free, with no ticket or reservation required.; $25.00
Visitors are explicitly welcome to take photos and selfies on the canal bridges and along the canals, with no permit mentioned.
Session Tips
- Paddleboarding is a popular activity in the canals; bring your own equipment or rent gear in nearby Marina del Rey.
- Motorized boats are not permitted in the Venice Canals, but kayaking and paddleboarding are popular ways to shoot from the water.
- Planning and booking parking near Venice Canal Historic District in advance helps avoid circling busy beachside streets.
- Visitors should be mindful and respectful of the residential nature of the area, especially during evening hours.
- If short on time, strolling along the Grand Canal is a good way to get a feel for the area.
What to Wear
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a sweater, since the canals are cooler than inland Los Angeles.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
1:25 PM - 1:49 PM
1:49 PM - 2:49 PM
12:35 AM - 1:35 AM
1:35 AM - 2:00 AM
Best Season
Holiday season
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:59 | 17:08 | 10h 9m |
| Feb | 06:38 | 17:38 | 10h 59m |
| Mar | 07:04 | 19:01 | 11h 57m |
| Apr | 06:22 | 19:25 | 13h 2m |
| May | 05:52 | 19:48 | 13h 56m |
| Jun | 05:42 | 20:06 | 14h 24m |
| Jul | 05:53 | 20:05 | 14h 11m |
| Aug | 06:15 | 19:40 | 13h 24m |
| Sep | 06:37 | 19:00 | 12h 22m |
| Oct | 06:59 | 18:19 | 11h 20m |
| Nov | 06:26 | 16:50 | 10h 23m |
| Dec | 06:51 | 16:46 | 9h 54m |
What to Expect During Your Session
Early morning and late afternoon produce the best light on the car-free paths a short distance from Venice Beach and Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and the holiday season adds the Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade with decorated boats. A full walk of the canals takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours, with the Grand Canal offering a quicker option for time-pressed photographers, though visitors should book parking near the Venice Canal Historic District in advance to avoid slow weekend traffic. Kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent in nearby Marina del Rey for water-level shots—motorized boats are prohibited—while cyclists must dismount and dogs must stay leashed to preserve the area's residential character.
Visitors should expect to spend 1 to 1.5 hours walking the Venice Beach Canals.
A typical visit exploring the canals takes 30 minutes to an hour.
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- Access around the Venice Canals is easy because the paths are paved.
- Parking
- The canals are reached via the Pacific Coast Highway (CA Route 1) and Interstate 405, near the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Pacific Avenue.
- Public transit
- The canals can be accessed through Venice Boulevard, with pathways at Venice and Dell or near Venice and Pacific.; The Venice Canals are nestled between Washington Boulevard and Venice Boulevard, bordered to the east by Strongs Drive and to the west by Ocean Avenue, near the Pacific coast.; Dell Avenue and Sherman Canal
- Walking distance
- 10 minutes
- Bike friendly
- Visiting the canals by bicycle is a great option, but sidewalks are narrow and riders must walk their bikes.