Venice Beach

Venice Beach gives you a taste of LA's alternative culture and art scene, but timing matters for safety. Abbot Kinney has good dining and shopping, but the boardwalk area can be risky, especially at night. Stick to daytime visits.

Venice Beach is LA's most famous beach scene, but it comes with serious safety considerations for solo women. The boardwalk during the day is this wild mix of street performers, artists selling their work, and Muscle Beach where bodybuilders work out. Abbot Kinney Boulevard has become the trendy area with great restaurants like Gjelina - though you'll need reservations weeks ahead for weekend brunch. But here's what you need to know: the homeless encampments are very visible, especially near the pier, and it can feel genuinely unsafe after dark. Sheriff's deputies patrol on bikes during the day but disappear at night. The Venice Canals are actually pretty peaceful for morning walks when locals are out jogging. Honestly, this is a great place to experience during busy daylight hours, but don't plan to hang around here after sunset if you're alone.