Kinney's vision of Venice and its homes was taken from his experiences in the original city in Italy. Marshes were replaced with canals where people traveled in gondoliers. Amusement parks were constructed, creating a festival environment for street performers and tourists.
Much of Kinney’s original vision of the city remains today. Although the canals are not main thoroughfares, they are home to the local ducks and can still accommodate kayaking between Venice homes. The old roller coasters, water plunges, and bath houses no longer exist, but the street performers fill the Venice Boardwalk to entertain the many people strolling by.
The Venice real estate market includes luxury homes on Venice Beach, historic Victorian architecture, trendy and upscale townhomes with views, and condos within walking distance to Venice Beach, Main Street and Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Home prices in Venice range from the high $800s to over $6 million.
There are four primary areas that make up the "Bohemian" lifestyle of Venice: the Beach, Downtown, Oakwood and East Venice.
The Beach has something for everyone. The famous Muscle Beach is an outdoor no-frills gym where anyone and everyone can get pumped up. Everywhere you look there are basketball and volleyball courts, a continuous bike trail along the sand, surfing and boogie boarding, and fishing off the pier. The Boardwalk is a well-known tourist destination where street performers and musicians wow the crowds with tricks, fortune telling, tattoos and all sorts of unique talents.
Downtown Venice has two main streets, Abbot Kinney and Main Street. Dozens of eateries, coffee shops, retail shops, bookstores, art galleries and yoga studios are open everyday of the week. Upscale restaurants, nightclubs, and taverns keep the town thriving in to the early morning hours. The fun never ends!
Oakwood is a multicultural neighborhood. The popularity of Venice’s open-mindedness and liberal views attracted celebrities and the wealthy sect to move in and blend in with the locals. In doing so, there has been a transformation of the real estate market; 2 and 3-level estate homes have replaced original factory-workers properties. Residents can ride bikes or walk to the beach and Downtown.
East Venice has many smaller homes and apartment buildings, among other housing projects. Penmar is a large park with baseball diamonds, play structures and picnic tables. Across the street is a 9-hole public golf course.
Venice homes for sale are located in a progressive and eclectic town. Celebrities live among hippies. Yogis live among war veterans. Venice, CA truly is a vibrant beach town, just as Abbot Kinney had envisioned.
