Join us for the second event of the 2024 season—and our 51st event since 2010! CicLAvia—Venice Blvd is on Sunday, April 21st, from 9am - 4pm. We will transform Venice Blvd along the neighborhoods of Culver City, Palms, Mar Vista, and Venice Beach into a public park for the day.
Venice Blvd is a vital east-west corridor that connects the bustling streets of Downtown Los Angeles and the picturesque sands of Venice Beach. This stretch is known for its shopping, dining, and entertainment. Here are some of the MANY local gems that will be along the route.
Check out:
Places To Eat + Shop
Versailles Cuban Restaurant
10319 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Versailles Cuban Restaurant is a must for their mouthwatering Cubanos (Cuban Sandwiches). Since 1971 their restaurant has been serving Angelenos authentic Cuban food. British actress Helen Mirren has described an ideal weekend in Los Angeles as going to the beach and having dinner at Versailles.
La Flama Culver City
10717 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Specializing in Mexican food from Oaxaca is La Flama in Culver City. Be sure to come hungry as their dishes run larger than usual! The tlayudas look particularly enticing!
Brazilian Mall
10826 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Tucked in the corner of Venice Blvd and Westwood Blvd is the Brazilian Mall which consists of many authentic Brazilian restaurants and shops. Step in and find a diverse range of eateries and grocery stores.
Howard’s Famous Bacon & Avocado Burgers
11127 Venice Blvd. # 7, Los Angeles, CA 90034
A well-known spot around the Culver City / Venice Beach area is Howard’s Famous Bacon & Avocado Burgers. Since 1971 they have been serving up this tasty meal along with their unique interior decorations and walls lined with classic movie posters.
826LA & The Mar Vista Time Travel Mart
12515 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Looking for unique trinkets or gifts from an unknown time and dimension? The 826LA & Mar Vista Time Travel Mart is the place to go! You’ll find countless artisanally crafted gifts and goods that are sure to entertain your friends. 826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children throughout Los Angeles through creative writing. As a non-profit, 826LA uses the proceeds from the Time Travel Mart to assist them in keeping all 826LA programs FREE for all students. Their programs include: field trips, writing workshops, after-school tutoring, and MUCH more!
Tortoise General Store
12701 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
The Tortoise General Store is a local “mom + pop” shop specializing in stylish handmade Japanese crafts and homeware. If your living area, kitchen, or bath need an update, this is the place to go!
India Sweets and Spices
9409 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
India Sweets and Spices specializes in fresh, high quality ingredients. Stop by to grab a vegetarian or vegan dish from their counter-service style bar or do some shopping in their adjacent grocery store.
Things To Do + See
Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Open from 12pm - 6pm on CicLAvia Sunday, the Museum of Jurassic Technology, founded in 1988, is the most curious of cabinets. Visitors will find unique and unusual artifacts that make the brain do summersaults. Make sure to check out the space dog exhibition if you stop by!
ArtBarLA
12017 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Open from 2pm - 8pm on CicLAvia Sunday, ArtBarLA is a venue that showcases art of all types and formats for the 21+ audience. Their facade features a rotating mural that allows different artists the opportunity to display their art.
“Whales’ Song” mural by @jenlavitaart
12102 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Check out a dynamic mural painted by @jenlavitaart on the side of the Lighthouse Stained Glass building. The complex composition features colors which draw inspiration from stained glass windows and oceanview from Venice Beach.
Utility box art by @poetry.lane
Intersection of Venice Blvd / Grand View Blvd
Looking for a pick me up to brighten your day? Right next to the Venice / Grand View bus stop is a utility box painted by @poetry.lane with a reminder to live every day like it’s your last.
Mural by @madsteez
12511 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Located in the parking lot behind Alana’s Coffee Roasters is a Venice inspired mural by Mark Paul Deren (@madsteez). The mural depicts a character skating in a bowl while doing a handstand.
Disability Community Resource Center (DCRC)
12901 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
The Disability Community Resource Center (DCRC) has a rich history that spans back to the late 1970s. DCRC is a place for those with disabilities to receive assistance, both in person and online, with programs and services designed specifically to meet the evolving needs of the community. While they are closed on Sundays, you can check their website to learn more.
The Learning Garden
13000 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Open from 12pm - 3pm on CicLAvia Sunday, is The Learning Garden. The Learning Garden is a community hub that teaches gardening and sustainable living in West LA. For over 21 years, they have served horticulture enthusiasts in Venice. Swing by for a daily tour!
Venice Japanese American Memorial Monument
Intersection of Venice Blvd / Lincoln Blvd
After the Pearl Harbor attacks in 1941, intense prejudice against Japanese-Americans spread like wildfire across the United States. Because of the intense fear from Americans, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9006 which authorized the deportation and incarceration of more than 120,00 Japanese-Americans, many of whom were from the Malibu, Venice, and Santa Monica area. Today, this monument pays tribute to the many lives who were uprooted during that time.
Pacific Resident Theatre
703 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
Since 1985, the Pacific Resident Theatre has been an intimate actor-run theater which showcases unexplored plays and dramas. Today, they continue with a company of 125 artists, who typically create 12 to 17 theatrical productions across the calendar year.
Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC)
685 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
The Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) is a non-profit community arts center based in Venice. SPARC campaigns to preserve LA murals and public art. Visit their website and learn how to get involved and partake in their workshops and exhibitions! Although they are closed on Sundays, you can check their website to learn more.
Beyond Baroque
681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
Founded in 1968, Beyond Baroque is a unique place dedicated to investing in the community’s understanding of poetry, literature, and art through interactive events and workshops. With a busy calendar of events and workshops, there is always an opportunity to participate in their programming. Although closed on Sundays, be sure to check their website for the next gathering!
Venice Heritage Museum
228 Main St, Venice, CA 90291 (Off route)
Although the Venice Heritage Museum is located off the route, they will be having a booth at the Venice Beach Hub. Swing by to learn more about the history and culture of Venice Beach!
Venice Beach has an extensive list of public art, shops, and eateries. Here is a quick preview of what it has to offer:
“Touch of Venice” by @never1959
21 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Jonas Never (@never1959) is a well known Los Angeles based artist with many works of art throughout the city. His “Touch of Venice” piece on Windward Ave draws inspiration from Orson Welles’ film "Touch of Evil" (1958).
Venice Beach Drum Circle
988 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Every Saturday and Sunday around noon, like clockwork, people gather in large groups on Venice Beach to dance to the rhythmic beats created by drummers from all around the area.
Muscle Beach Venice Gym
1817 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Since 1963, Muscle Beach has been known as the “Home of Bodybuilding.” Many films have shot scenes here such as: “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” “The Hangover Part II,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” When it comes to celebrities, the most famous one many think of is former politician and bodybuilder, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who considers Muscle Beach his home.
Venice Sign
Pacific Ave & Windward Ave, 1501 Main St #205, Venice, CA 90291
What’s a trip to Venice Beach without a photo under the iconic ‘Venice” sign? Draped across Windward Ave since 1905, this sign serves as an entryway to Venice beach and was originally constructed to attract people looking for a new place to live.
We can't wait to see you all at CicLAvia—Venice Blvd on April 21. Don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list so you don’t miss out on updates on future events.
These events are made possible by contributions from people like you. To support more open streets, consider making a tax-deductible donation here today!
Photos courtesy of: @versaillescubanfood, @marcsweekendeats, @the_tapioca_foodstagram, @howardsburgers, @timetravelmart, @tortoisegeneralstore, @indianveganfood, @discoverla, @artbarla, @jenlavitaart, @janetmona, @madsteez, @dcrcbyyourside, @venicelearninggarden, @veniceheritage, @jennigoeswest, @sparcinla, @safeplaceforyouth, @veniceheritage, @never1959, @shadow1188, @hansgutknecht, and @venicesign.
