Venice is a unique, urban beach community located here in the city of Los Angeles. Abbot Kinney Blvd, one of it's better known streets, is full of unique stores, restaurants, coffee houses, and architecture. "Bohemian" is the best word to describe it.
But what about the "other" Venice. The Venice were most people shop, eat ... and honestly can afford (I've found "bohemian" isn't necessarily "cheap"). There's a lot written about Abbot Kinney, but what about the other Venice? What about Lincoln Blvd?
Lincoln Blvd (which starts in Santa Monica) is technically part of California Hwy 1. "The 1," as we call it in California, also knows as the Pacific Coast Hwy, locally known as the PCH, travels through Malibu, Santa Barbara, Big Sur, San Francisco ... and north all the way to the Oregon border. It's includes some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Hwy. 1 through Venice is not one of those scenic spots. The part of "The 1" that runs through Venice is a mile inland from the coast. "The 1" moves inland from the beach in Santa Monica and doesn't return to the coast until south of Long Beach.
I started my little walk at the corner of Lincoln and Rose. Really nice mural on the back of what I assumed was the "Pick and Save".
I headed south along Lincoln. Venice Beach is about a mile west. Subject for another blog entry, for sure.
Even along Lincoln, Venice is proud of it's coastal heritage and their were signs of it.
Park Avenue Cleaners is located just south of Rose Avenue (Park Avenue is located elsewhere in Venice).
Cool sign. Catch a wave ...
The name for "Floyd's Barber Shop" no doubt came from the old Andy Griffith series. Floyd's in Venice is not your small town barber. Hipper. More upscale, more urban. And more expensive, too. Housed in a converted auto garage, with chairs right out in the open. Very cool.
Here's another converted building. Maybe not quite as "cool" ... but still keeping the Venice spirit alive. The Fox is an old movie theater now housing small shops (think "indoor swap meet").
Continuing south on Lincoln was a Ralph's supermarket. This is probably the least "funky" - and most suburban - scene along the whole route. A typical grocery store with parking out front (imagine that!). This same thing could be found in hundreds of places in Southern California.
I have no idea WHAT this is, except that it fits under the category of "funky." Looks like a small office building with some solar panels recently attached to it. Different. I like it.
More "Lincoln Blvd, Venice: Funky" in the next entry below.
(originally posted 4/28/09)
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