Venice Beach: Solarium at the Boardwalk

The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a large pedestrian walkway that runs along the beach from Ocean Park in Santa Monica to the edge of Marina del Rey. On summer weekends it can be absolutely packed. For both locals and visitors from around the world, it's definitely an "Experiencing L.A." type of place. 

As one reviewer said on yelp.com, "Venice Beach is basically all of Los Angeles in one place: movie film set locations, large variety of food, unique people, creative and individualistic craft stands, pan handlers, street performers, exercise gyms, the beach, and - yes - difficult parking."

 You'll find outdoor dining and restaurants ...

 ... stands selling cheap-o sunglasses, t-shirts, and other tchotchkes ...

... colorful murals ...

 ... oddities like the Venice Beach Freak Show ...

 ... and wacky street performers. 

The boardwalk is also lined with outdoor displays of artwork and photography, as well as space set aside for political, religious and other non-profit displays. 

Solarium was one such display. Hosted by the the campus ministry "Cru",  Solarium is a series of images designed to engage dialogue on topics of faith and spirituality. 

Questions around the photographs included "which images describe your life right now?" and "what images represent how your view God?"

Some people spent a lot of time talking ...

... others were content just looking and reflecting. 

A student volunteer interacting with of the more colorful local characters. This was, after all, Venice Beach. 

 

In addition, there were several questions with space for comments.

Another questions: lots of answers. 

Why do I like Solarium? I'll admit my bias: not only am I a Christian, but I was also part of this event. But I like to think that even if I wasn't (a Christian) I would still like the whole thing. Over the years we've had many people say "I'm not religious, but I think what you guys are doing is really cool." Of course, the goal isn't to be "cool" - it's to engage people in life's most important questions - and to consider the claims of Jesus Christ. Both at places like Venice Beach, and then during the year, university campuses. 

My son (the good looking kid in the blue shirt) answering the question, "what is true love?" These photographs are all from last summer - I'll have to ask him if he still remembers what he wrote. 

Feel free to leave a comment below to any of of these questions. As Socrates said, "the unexamined life is not worth living." 

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The Venice Beach Boardwalk is located along the beach between Navy Street (the border of Santa Monica/Venice) and Washington Blvd. Parking, especially during the summer, can be tricky. There is a large lot (that fills up quickly on weekends) where Venice Blvd meets the beach. There's also a much less crowded lot just south of Ocean Park Blvd, a few blocks north of Navy. 

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Lincoln Blvd, Venice: Funky (Part I)

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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Lincoln Blvd, Venice: Funky (Part II)

Earlier this year, I decided to walk along Lincoln Blvd in Venice, to take an hour or so and explore the "other Venice."

The area south of the Santa Monica Pier, Ocean Park and Venice is known among the surfing/skating crowd as "Dogown". A documentary (narrated by actor Sean Penn) "Dogtownand Z Boys" does a good job explaining the influence the Dogtown neighborhood had on surfing, skating, and what is commonly known as "extreme sports."


More Dogtown graffiti.


A gondola in front of the Washington Mutual (now Chase) Bank. Venice was originally envisioned as a high cultured seaside resort about 100 years ago by founder Abbot Kinney.


A local artist was selling large metal sculptures. A couple of elephants looking out onto Lincoln Blvd.


T-Rex. What every home needs. "Hey honey, look what I got for the front yard!"


I've heard of Melrose in West Hollywood. Venice has Nelrose.


Normally, I'd assume this building is under construction (or being remodeled) but this being Venice, maybe it's just a new look. Pantyhose for your office building.


Like much of Los Angeles, Venice is a community of contrasts. Working class mini-malls next to funky (and high end) stores like "Venice Pets".


Proper rain gear for your dog. Comes in various sizes and colors. Somewhat ironic considering how little it actually rains in Los Angeles.

More thoughts on the next entry: "Lincoln Blvd, Venice: Ugly?"

(originally posted 4/28/09)

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Lincoln Blvd, Venice: Ugly?

In my previous two entries, I focused on the "funky" side of Lincoln Blvd in Venice. Lincoln Blvdis fun and funky, but as far as streets go, it's also pretty ugly.

In my opinion, it's one of the ugliest streets in Los Angeles. (If you think another street deserves this title, by all means, leave a comment and let me know!)


The street is flanked on both side by very tall electrical power lines. I don't know of any other major street in the city with such large, ugly structures.


Very few street trees, no parkways, and nothing in terms of a medium.


Imagine what Lincoln would look like with large street trees instead of power lines?


Traffic = ugly. This is traffic backed up from Washington Blvd.


The same intersection, looking north.


And "mini-malls." These started popping up all around the city in the 1980's, mostly taking over spots previously occupied by gas stations. They are, of course, several on Lincoln. They're obviously popular, and practical. But they're certainly maligned by a lot of people. My guess is because of an asphalt parking lot is the first thing you see, the chaotic feel of signage, and the bland and monotonous architecture. Topic for another blog entry. At least this one on Lincoln and Rose has a little landscaping up front.

More thoughts on the next blog entry: "Lincoln Blvd, Venice: Hungry?"

(originally posted 4/28/09)

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Lincoln Blvd, Venice: Hungry?

Part four of a five part blog series on Lincoln Blvd. This one focusing on food and places to eat: "Tommy's" is a very famous local burger chain here in Los Angeles. There are numerous copy-cats, each with similar names: Tommies, Tomys, and (above) Thoma's on the corner of Lincoln and Rose. If you're looking for a burger, I'd recommend the original "Tommy's" www.originaltommys.com

McDonald's. Can't escape! They're everywhere, including - of course - Lincoln Blvd.

Taco trucks are not unique to Los Angeles, but I thought the grey bull painted on the side of Valentino's truck here gave it a very "authentic" look. Mmm, tacos.

Baby Blues BBQ was jumping! Saturday afternoon when I walked by the place was packed. Looks fun.

Casablanca is on the corner of Lincoln and Rose. My family and I ate here once with some friends. The food was pretty good, and as I remember they had a ton of mementos from the old Casablanca movie.

I expected to find the old "Pick & Save" discount store on the other corner of Lincoln and Rose. It's long gone and a Whole Foods" Market is in it's place. I'd say it's a step up (unless you were a big shopper at "Pick & Save").

I walked right by this earlier in the afternoon - missed it. I had my eye on Thoma's burger joint.

"Whole Foods" is a high end chain specializing in organic and/or locally grown food. We've purchased some things here. High quality, but also high prices. There's another "Whole Foods" in Santa Monica, which is a smaller store and tiny underground parking lot. It's really worth coming here.

Seeing "Whole Foods" as well as places like "Baby Blues BBQ" is a reminder that Venice is a community in transition. There continues to be a strong working class feel to the community, but there is also a growing gentrified class moving in. That's great for those who own property ... maybe not as great for long time renters (although both Santa Monica and Los Angeles have rent control). Final thoughts on my fifth installment "Lincoln Blvd, Venice: Thirsty?"

(originally posted 4/28/09)

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