Christened the “Venice of America,” Venice, California, is a tony neighborhood in Los Angeles. It was founded in 1905 by wealthy developer Abbot Kinney as a seaside resort town. His vision was to build a canal community reminiscent of Venice, Italy.

In 1904, Kinney began the excavation and dredging of what would become his pedestrian-friendly, Italian-inspired resort. The development featured seven canals, four islands, a large saltwater lagoon, a miniature railroad, and Italianate buildings with colonnades. When it opened in 1905, it attracted a crowd of 40,000 locals and tourists. Gondolas, piloted by imported gondoliers, ferried visitors through the canals.

People arrived via electric trolley cars from downtown Los Angeles and nearby Santa Monica to experience Kinney’s creation. His earlier projects included a playground that would evolve into the popular Santa Monica Pier and boardwalk. Families posed for photos wearing formal suits and flowing dresses.

Today, gondolas no longer float along the canals, but residents navigate the waterways with canoes, kayaks, party barges, floating patios, and rowboats. Beginning in 1929, some canals were filled in and converted into streets. However, nine pedestrian bridges and a few car bridges still span the remaining canals. There are four east-west canals (Carroll, Linnie, Howland, and Sherman) and two north-south canals (Eastern and Grand). The only vehicular entrance is at Dell Avenue and Sherman Canal, where Dell crosses four bridges.

Many early 1900’s buildings, designed in the Italian Renaissance style, still dot the neighborhood. These historic structures now stand alongside modern dwellings in this highly sought-after area. The canal district fell into disrepair during the 1940’s and remained neglected for over 40 years, as repeated renovation proposals stalled due to funding shortages, environmental concerns, and debates over financial responsibility. Between 1991 and 1993, the canals were drained and refurbished with new sidewalks and walls. They reopened in 1993, transforming the area once again into a desirable — and expensive — residential neighborhood.

Venice remained an independent city until 1926, when it was annexed by Los Angeles. Its oceanfront location contributes to its high property values, with the median home price now exceeding $1 million USD. Notable current and former residents include Julia Roberts, Kate Beckinsale, Anjelica Huston, Tom Conway, and Nicolas Cage.

The Venice Canals are located just a few blocks from Venice Beach. The neighborhood boasts gourmet eateries and fashion boutiques, and the beachfront promenade includes iconic attractions like Muscle Beach, handball and paddle tennis courts, the Skate Dancing plaza, beach volleyball courts, and a bike trail along the Ocean Front Walk.

Naturally, the consistently sunny weather is another major draw for homebuyers. Venice Beach, nestled between Santa Monica and Marina del Rey, is said to be the most filmed beach in the United States. It has served as the backdrop for numerous films including Barbie, White Men Can’t Jump, The Bling Ring, Lords of Dogtown, and Jackie Brown, as well as TV shows like Baywatch, Three’s Company, and The Bold and the Beautiful. The wide, scenic shoreline features a fishing pier with views of surfers catching waves.

Residents of Venice Beach embrace their vibrant surroundings. Independence Day is often celebrated with a rubber duck race and a wind-powered boat regatta. In December, the neighborhood hosts a house and bridge decorating contest, as well as an annual holiday boat parade featuring costumed captains in decked-out canoes, paddleboards, rafts, kayaks, and dinghies, with bands performing on floating stages. The main bridge is illuminated during the holiday season to much fanfare.

The canals are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the neighborhood is designated as a National Historic District. Since 1976, the Venice Canals Association has worked to protect this unique area. On any given day, tourists and tour groups can be seen strolling the sidewalks and bridges. Yet, for those unfamiliar, the canals are easy to miss — tucked away from major boulevards and largely hidden behind homes.

Abbot Kinney is commemorated with a prominent avenue named after him, as well as a four-story mural at the corner of Venice Boulevard and Pacific Avenue, near the northern entrance to the canals. Though it no longer has a resort-town atmosphere, Venice maintains a distinctive character that would likely make Kinney proud. The serene canal district offers a welcome escape from the frenetic pace of Los Angeles — and is well worth a visit.