Destination
![]() |
Venice BeachWhen most people think of Venice Beach, they picture the famous Venice Beach boardwalk with its colorful street performers and shops. While it's true that the boardwalk is a must-see (which is easy because it's right downstairs), there's much more to the area for you to discover. |
|
Just beyond the boardwalk is a serene and beautiful beach with soft, inviting sand, and you can check out the action at Muscle Beach or the popular Venice Skatepark. You can also rent a bike and ride the length of Santa Monica Bay from Malibu to Hermosa Beach. To find the more sophisticated side of Venice Beach, head to nearby Abbot Kinney Street, which is lined with quirky shops and hip cafés — perfect for an afternoon of strolling and shopping. Abbot Kinney is also home to some of the best restaurants in the area. |
|
![]() |
Santa MonicaDowntown Santa Monica is just a couple miles north, which is an easy cab ride or a nice stroll up the boardwalk. The Santa Monica Pier lights up at night with carnival rides that include a roller coaster, Ferris wheel and vintage carousel. Two open-air shopping areas — the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place — house big-name stores if you're ready to drop some serious cash. And there are dozens of great restaurants in the area for you to sample, as well. |
![]() |
Los AngelesWe probably don't need to enumerate everything Los Angeles has to offer. Let's just say it's — well, almost everything. There are a ridiculous number of options for both fine dining and shopping, fulfilling just about anything your heart desires. And, since it's located just minutes from the 405, Hotel Erwin puts Los Angeles in easy reach. |
![]() |
SoCalHotel Erwin is also a great base for a day trip to several Southern California attractions. Disneyland is about an hour's drive, and Knott's Berry Farm is about 45 minutes away. Head up the coast to Malibu, or south to Huntington Beach. You could stay for months and never see it all. (But it doesn't hurt to try.) |
![]() |
Venice Beach HistoryOriginally modeled after Italy's Venice, "Venice of America" was founded in the early 1900s as a seaside resort lined with canals. Like in Venice, gondola rides were a popular attraction, as was Venice's mile-long beach. Within just a few years, the town took on a carnival-like atmosphere, with piers filled with amusement rides and a boardwalk drawing visitors by the thousand. The canals have mostly been filled in, and the piers are gone, but the festive, carefree atmosphere remains to this day. |







