Venice Beach has a hedonistic carnival atmosphere with artists, street performers, body beautifuls exercising, music, food smells, shopping and markets, music and lots of things happening. In summer it’s everyday and in winter it kicks off at the weekend, but the long flat beaches lined with tall palm trees and the cafes and shops of a busy seaside front are the perfect place to stroll, ride a bike or chill, and with the chillin’ crowds comes the entertainers and vendors, which in turn attracts more chillers and tourists and the cycle continues. The Venice in the name comes from the artificial canals dug during the founding of the town as a seaside resort at the turn of the 20th Century.

A ‘muscle beach’, skate park, basketball courts and volleyball court are included in people’s understanding of Venice Beach, which mainly means the promenade and Ocean Front Walk, but you’ve probably seen it in a film and know that already – Venice beach is in loads of films…

Hermosa’s smooth, greyish sand and shallow, safe crystal waters are gentle on the eye and the vibe at the family end of this blue flag beach is equally laid back. Fringed by many species of trees and famous for local wildlife conservation efforts, it’s nevertheless large enough to offer a variety of seaside options down its length, with a selection of bars and restaurants to choose from along the promenade, a large faction of local and visiting surfers and a range of watersports available to those looking for a slightly less sedate experience.