I am hearing that Venice is not safe to be at night, does anyone know if this is true? I made reservations at the best western marina pacific but now I am having second thoughts. I have two teenage boys and I thought they would like the atmosphere but not if it isn't safe at night. That is one of the things we like to do, browse and walk around in the evening. Any thoughts?

This is venice beach, in California!

You'll want to see Venice beach since you mentioned in another post about the 'hippest' etc. Perhaps spend the day there, and get a hotel up in Santa Monica? They are quite close together but very different in atmosphere.

I replied to your other post already with an alternate hotel.

Venice is very gritty. You may feel uneasy at night just walking around-- it's not well-lit in sections, the people and apartments may look a bit "downmarket".

Having said that, people LIVE there and WORK there happily. Robert Graham, the Mexican sculptor, lives there with his wife Anjelica Huston. Dennis Hopper still lives there, as I recall. It's a matter of location, basically. The alleyways and small streets off of Pacific and Abbot Kinney can be dicey, no question.

If you're at all uneasy, take my suggestion: Stay up in Santa Monica.

I've only been to Venice Beach during the day, and felt comfortable. I do have a friend who stayed in an apartment for a week in VB with his wife and mom. He said it was great, although I don't think they were out very late at night. The other posters who say to maybe stay in Santa Monica and visit VB during the day, give good advice.

What your boys WILL like is Santa Monica 4th st. at night. Its a walk street...lots of "in" stores and things to see and watch. I agree, stay in Santa Monica, and visit Venice beach during the day. If its winter there will not be that much going on at the beach in any case, but 4th st. in S.M. is "happening" all year round.

No no no, not Fourth Street. Third Street between Wilshire and Broadway is the pedestrian mall (the "Third Street Promenade"). Fourth has a few stores and a couple of notable eateries, but it's a busy north-south road through downtown SM and not the one you're thinking of.

rjw is correct. Venice Beach is most definitely a daytime attraction, not a nighttime one. The crime rate at night is high and there are gangs. During the day you will have no problems there at all.

Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade is three blocks of street performers (some high class ones too, such as classical guitarists), bookstores, cafes, and no fewer than 3 multiplex movie theaters! There is also a mall nearby.

i feel that venice beach is perfectly safe, and generally even at night too. we've been there plenty at night and never felt endangered.

i think it's gritty though. i personally don't care for it. but teenage boys will most defintely love it and will be safe, provided they're with adults and aren't getting into trouble themselves

Thank you all! I will decide which way to go.

In my opinion, Venice Beach is the worst of Ca.,and it is the last place I would want to bring teenagers.It is filled with tacky shops,body piercing tatoo places, people doing things just for the shock value. Is this the kind of place you really want your kids exposed to. I vote for Santa Monica.

in another post the 'hippest' place was what the poster was asking for. so i guess it's a matter of opinion but seems Venice more fits that description than Santa Monica.

Venice Beach is a MUST-SEE, it's one of those places you visit ONCE to say you have been there as in 'been there-done that', and you probably won't go back for quite a long time, but to be that close to it and not go would be silly.