We’re so happy to have Christina from @ava.olivia.dutch here sharing her favorite stops in Santa Monica + Venice Beach! Living in Westlake Village, we are lucky to be close to both Santa Barbara and LA. It’s so fun to take day trips into the city to explore; Venice Beach and Santa Monica are two of my favorite spots to head with my girls and meet up with friends.
Venice Beach
The Cows End in Venice is the best. This cute little restaurant that has an adorable kids sing along on Mondays and Thursdays during the summer at 10:30am. David Tobocman pictured here. More on him here as well.
Photo Credit: David Tobocman
Shopping is also so much fun in Venice, there are lots of thrift stores and specialty clothing shops, you are sure to find some hidden gems. Many of the stores along Abbot Kinney are really pretty and make for great photo ops as well.
Here is big sister pushing baby sister in front of Piece Collective, isn’t this store just the cutest?!
Our personal favorite and a must see is the Mosiac Tile House. The couple who lives here spent the last 20 years decorating every square inch of their house (and the outside too!) with mosaic tiles. It is a stunning masterpiece, and the husband and wife give tours so you can take pictures and ask questions…it’s amazing!
Here is the link to make a reservation!
One of the things that makes Venice Beach so unique is its amazing wall art, you could spend all day roaming the streets looking at all the beautiful graffiti. Here we are in front of the Heart Wall (this is on Abbot Kinney right near Greenleaf).
Finally, no trip to Venice is complete without a walk through the beautiful canals. You feel like you are in Italy, it is so peaceful and serene! There is even a small playground in the middle of the canal community that is perfect for a quick play stop.
Santa Monica
The best spot in Santa Monica (and where the kids have the most fun!) is the pier. We love going on the Merry go Round, it’s always our first stop as soon as we get there.
We love walking down the pier to Bubba Gump Shrimp Company for lunch, and even if it’s a foggy day (as it was when we took these photos), the photo ops are always so fun!
There is an amusement park on the pier that offers fun for all ages. My daughter loves riding the big “cart wheel” (Ferris Wheel) that provides a birds eye view of the whole beach, ocean and city..it’s incredible!
The aquarium is small but has a really nice touch tank that I always have a hard time tearing my starfish loving kiddo away from. During the week they are only open in the afternoon, so make sure to check the hours before you go. 
Written by @ava.olivia.dutch
