Venice in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Venice Canals
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 28, 2021
1. Venice Canals Marker
Inspired by the canals of Venice, Italy. Built 1906. Declared 1983, Historic Cultural Monument No. 270, Cultural Heritage Commission, City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Department.
Erected 1983 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 270.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 33° 58.997′ N, 118° 27.929′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Venice. It is on Dell Avenue just north of Court A, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 242 Court A, Venice CA 90291, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 12 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Venice Corner Ball Park (approx. Ό mile away); Luminaries of Pantheism Mural (approx. 0.3 miles away); Venice - Coney Island of the Pacific (approx. 0.4 miles away); Muscle Beach Walk of Fame (approx. 0.4 miles away); Joe Weider (approx. 0.4 miles away); Muscle Beach Venice (approx. 0.4
this page online
Regarding Venice Canals. Venice was founded by wealthy developer Abbot Kinney in 1905 as a seaside resort town. It was an independent city until 1926, when it merged with Los Angeles. After annexation, many canals were filled in and paved over, and the former central lagoon became a traffic circle.
In 1993 the remaining canals were refurbished, dredged 5 feet deep in the center and 1½ feet at the sides, with open concrete blocks added to the sides and sloped at 55 degrees. Foot bridges and sidewalks were rebuilt. Ocean tidewater flow in the canals was improved. In the years since the improvements, many of the small cottages along the canals have been replaced with expensive multi-story homes.
The canals are on the National Register of
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 28, 2021
2. Venice Canals Marker
The marker is on the left side of the bridge.
Additional keywords. Abbot Kinney, Venice of America, Windward Circle, Venice Beach, Muscle Beach
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 28, 2021
3. Road Bridge
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 28, 2021
4. Venice Canals
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 28, 2021
5. Pedestrian Bridge
from Wikimedia Commons
6. Venice Postcard - 1909
Photographed by Mark Galanty, circa 1972
7. Venice Canals before the Improvement Project
This is before 1990. The canals' banks and sidewalks had deteriorated and were closed to public access until the improvement project, paid for by the Property Owners and the City of Los Angeles through an assessment district. The improvement project refurbished the banks, the sidewalks, and added the salt bush as a safety barrier.
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 28, 2021
8. Street Sign
On Washington Blvd at Strongs Drive.
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 28, 2021
9. Abbot Kinney Mural
On Venice Blvd west of Pacific Ave.
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 28, 2021
10. Colonnades with Arches
At Windward and Pacific Avenue, built in 1904 by Abbot Kinney, Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 532.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 139,650 times since then and 2,372 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 30, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on August 15, 2025, by Mark Galanty of Venice, Ca.. 8, 9, 10. submitted on July 30, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
