Hipstercrite Life, Pop Culture

Is Venice Beach the Best Part of LA?

Yesterday I spent the day in a place I frequent in my head, except this time I was there in person.

The wonderfully quirky world of Venice, California quickly became my favorite part of Los Angeles once I peeled back the sticky layer of sweat, sand, liquor and God knows what else that covers the town and saw what lies below the surface.

Windward Ave.

Venice has not changed a bit since I left four years ago. The only exception is now there is a medicinal marijuana store everywhere you turn. The employees wear green scrubs with marijuana leaves on them and scream at you, “The doctor is in!” It’s only $40 to get your medical marijuana card.

I even saw many of the same street performers who have been performing tricks on the boardwalk for years.

This street performer jumped onto a pile of broken glass

 

It’s as if Venice has been pickled in time.

I hope it always stays that way.

 

One of my favorite boardwalk homes designed by Frank Gehry

I relived my regular routine of parking near Washington Pier and walking down to the boardwalk to take in the sights and sounds as if it was my first time ever.

I spoke with the friendly cast of characters that hang in the area, watched kids and adults skate at the new skate park and looked at the ocean as if it were our last rendezvous together. There weren’t a lot of people on the beach because the temperature has been considered cold (low 70s). Already experiencing high 90s in Austin, the ocean breeze felt like an IV straight to the soul.

Sitting next to the sea forces you to be present and for the first time in awhile, my head and body felt clear and free. God, that sounded new-agey, but it’s true. As much as I absolutely love living in Austin, I dislike being land-locked immensely.

Happy camper on Venice Beach

The highlight of my day was meeting one of my favorite writers and bloggers Laurenne Sala from Humans Are Funny. Like a dumbass, I forgot to take a picture of her. If you’re not familiar with Laurenne’s work, start here. Here she writes with equal parts heartbreak and humor about her father coming out of the closet and subsquently committing suicide. She’s a fantastic writer and a fantastic girl. She just completed her first novel and I have no doubt it will be wonderful!

Intelligentsia Cafe on Abbot Kinney. Felt like I walked into a Dwell Magazine layout. Seats are made out of concrete, there are no plugs and iced tea is $5. I don’t miss LA.

Today I will be catching up with old friends in Hollywood and tomorrow is Californication!

The view from where I’m staying in Redondo Beach

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13 Comments

  • Reply Nick May 10, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    you know I love LA, everything except driving which I hate a great deal. I also don’t like sprawl. If I could live in an area of LA I don’t often leave, and could get around on bike, that’d be pretty tight

    • Reply hipstercrite May 11, 2012 at 11:08 pm

      yeah, venice is like that. it is its own community.

  • Reply Dicky Carter May 10, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    I’m incredibly jealous. I’m a huge fan of the Hankster and have seen those iconic views many times. Great article.

    • Reply hipstercrite May 11, 2012 at 11:08 pm

      Just got back from set! It was so much fun. Really good group of folks.

  • Reply Brulula May 11, 2012 at 12:55 am

    I am jealous but your descriptions make me feel good!

    • Reply hipstercrite May 11, 2012 at 11:07 pm

      we’ll do a visit to so cal again soon, momma!

  • Reply Adria May 11, 2012 at 8:04 am

    You and Laurenne met!!! So exciting! 🙂 Enjoy the ocean breezes, it’s been gorgeous here all week.

    • Reply hipstercrite May 11, 2012 at 11:07 pm

      I know! I was so so stoked to meet her! She’s awesome. The weather has been perfect here. Love it!

  • Reply Eric May 11, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    Wonderful post! Loved looking at the pictures, as Venice is one place I’ve always wanted to visit. Great shot of the Venice Beach house by Gehry.

    • Reply hipstercrite May 11, 2012 at 11:06 pm

      Thanks! You should go! It’s such a wonderfully weird and beautiful place!

  • Reply laurenne May 30, 2012 at 5:06 pm

    Yayyyyyyyyyyy!!!! I’m so happy we finally met! Woohooo! May it happen again and again.

    • Reply hipstercrite May 30, 2012 at 10:30 pm

      I hope so too!

  • Reply Rob August 2, 2012 at 5:51 am

    Hey, Me and a few of my friends are coming over from the UK in the next couple of weeks. We are looking for some good bars/clubs to visit. Any ideas for us?

    We are looking for indie/alternative options. We have found places such as the Cha Cha lounge but this is over in Silverlake. We are stopping just off Venice beach so any ideas around there or near Marina Del Rey/Santa Monica would be great.

    Any thoughts?

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