DADS RULE!

Here is a list of local things to do with dad this weekend!

Click on the red links for more info on the activity.

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1.  Have a beach day with dad at VENICE BEACH!  Admission is free! This is the thing that makes Venice the most special place on earth.  This three-mile beach is manicured daily and the lifeguards are on duty, so grab a towel and head down to the sand.  Surf, swim, body board and splash around in the Pacific Ocean. Go for a deep sand run or power walk in ankle deep water. Sunbathe & relax. Keep an eye out for dolphins. Volleyball courts also available.  You can rent surf, body and skim boards at Maui and Sons and Jay’s Rentals. Or, grab a Frisbee or a ball for some catch.  Marvel at the planet’s largest ocean or meditate into your own universe, either way the beach has the perfect spot for everyone.

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2. Walk and be entertained on the world famous VENICE BOARDWALK.   Artists, street performers, shopping, souvenirs Venice Beach Freakshow, tattoos, bars and restaurants.

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3.  Have a brew with dad!  Check out the beer’s drinker’s guide!   Moving from the south (the Marina)  to the north end of the Venice boardwalk we will stop off at the seven best places to get an ice old beer with dad!  

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4.  Play or train at the VENICE RECREATION AND PARKS CENTER.  Attractions: Muscle Beach Gym, Basketball,Handball & Paddle Tennis Courts, Kid’s Play Areas, Boxing, Gymnastics Area, Skateparks, & more. Showers available.

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5. Train or pose down at the iconic MUSCLE BEACH GYM.  Outdoor gym and Bodybuilder Hall of Fame. $10 day pass. Fuel up at Muscle Beach Juice Bar!  View list of Venice training facilities and workouts!

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6.  Get a tattoo with dad at Black Rose Tattoo on the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

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7.  Cruise along the coast with dad!  Ride the path all the way from Venice to Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Playa del Rey, Pacific Palisades or Palos Verdes!  The bike path that runs along the sand in Venice is 22 miles long and extends from Palos Verdes through Pacific Palisades, with a brief in-land detour. Its smooth concrete surface is great for bicycles, roller skates and skateboards alike.  However, pedestrians are not allowed, so, if you want to walk then you should do it on sand. There is no better way to take in the scenery of the area beaches than a casual ride up and down the coast.  Ask Jay’s about their all day $15 bike rental.

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Jay’s Rentals Venice Beach:  Jay’s has bikes, tandems, blades and skates for cruising the path.  Rent hourly or by the day.  And, when you are done they can teach you to surf!  Ask Jay’s about their all day $15 bike rental.   1501 Ocean Front Walk  Venice, CA  (310) 392-7306

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8.  Buy dad a skate board and a lesson from Maui and Sons!  Rent a skateboard, take a lesson and drop into the big bowl at the Venice Skate Park!  Maui and Sons is the only place in the V that gives full on skate lessons.  They will equip you and show you how it done!  Or, you can rent a board and skate the bike path. Either way it will be rad!  And, they also do full package surf lessons!  1415 Oceanfront Walk Venice, CA (310) 392- 6284

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9.    Dad will enjoy cocktails and a 360 degree view of Los Angeles at High Rooftop Lounge!   Full bar atop Hotel Erwin overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Venice!  High is the premiere Venice Beach open-air rooftop lounge, where the nightly sunset is the main event.

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10.  Visit an art gallery or go to the theater with Dad!  Check out this Venice’s Cave Gallery, Pacific Resident Theatre, Electric Lodge, Beyond Baroque, and more!  View list here.

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11.  Have a BBQ & pick up gourmet sausages from Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom!  Jody Maroni’s has been handcrafting artisan sausages, since 1979.  Delve into the world of true charcuterie with options like Venetian Chicken Sausage with sundried tomatoes and wine, Tequila Chicken Sausage with brined jalapenos and corn, or Pomegranate Chicken Sausage with fresh basil and cardamom. 

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12.  Give the gift of health!  Dad will love gift cards from YAS Fitness Centers!  Do yoga and spinning with  dad!   YAS offers immaculate and spacious studios, expert instructors, great music and precise routines. YAS is home to a great community of like-minded, people looking to take their fitness to the next level and inspiring us to be serious at making excellent fitness fun.  The very first fitness program dedicated to the combination of Yoga and Spinning®, YAS Fitness Studios were created and founded in 2001 by Kimberly Fowler.

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13. How about giving your Father a day of luxury beautification and relaxation at Epithereal Skin Care.  About Epithereal  Skincare:  An integrated beauty experience!  Non-Surgical approach to skin care. Located in Marina del Rey, CA.  View al  Epithereal treatments here!

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14. SURF all day with dad!

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15.  Catch up with dad while watching a Venice, California sunset!  Admission is free.  View some of our favorite sunset photos and viewing locations here!

 

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16.   Gift the gift of Venice!  Adopt-a-Bulb on the Venice Sign.    When Abbot Kinney officially introduced the world to Venice-of-America in 1905 he did it in style.  Across Windward Avenue at Pacific (then Trolley Way), 3-foot high letters glowed to electric life and spelled out the place to be on that 4th of July – in VENICE.  Historic Windward Avenue with its Italianate architecture and colonnade began life as the entrance to the wonderful amusement pier.  Today it remains our gateway to the remarkable scene known throughout the world as Venice Beach.   Click here for more info.

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17. Grab a  family portrait under the iconic VENICE SIGN.  #VeniceSign and #VeniceBeachFun

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18.   Dress up in your finest and enjoy a leisure stroll with dad along Abbot Kinney Blvd.!   Then treat your dad at Salt Air or Sunny Spot!   Salt Air is a seafood-centric beach bistro located on Abbot Kinney in Venice, California.    Sunny Spot:  Inventive, colorful  twists on some of your favorites, and an ever evolving menu, make this a foodie destination

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19.   When on Abbot Kinney Blvd, take Robin Murez’s free self walking tour of the Venice Public Art on Abbot Kinney Blvd.  View list of all fun things to do with dad on Abbot Kinney Blvd. 

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20. Take a Detour with dad, and learn The Story of Venice’s Founder, Abbot Kinney and the early history of the V!    Toast to Venice’s founder  at Canal Club or James’ Beach!  

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21.  Skate all day at the SKATEPARK!   27,000 sq. foot park. 2 bowls, snake run, rails, stairs.

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22.    Buy dad a skate board and a lesson from Maui and Sons!  Rent a skateboard, take a lesson and drop into the big bowl at the Venice Skate Park!  Maui and Sons is the only place in the V that gives full on skate lessons.  They will equip you and show you how it done!  Or, you can rent a board and skate the bike path. Either way it will be rad!  And, they also do full package surf lessons!  1415 Oceanfront Walk Venice, CA (310) 392- 6284

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23.  Pick up some of nature’s wonder at the finest collective in Venice at Green Goddess Collective.  They have a full line of indica, sativa and hybrids.  As well, the edible section is outstanding!  So, grab some chocolates from the GGC and chillax with your date in a state of bliss!  Green Goddess Collective.

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24.  All dad’s love coffee!   Get dad a gift card from The Cow’s End Cafe.  Family owned since 1989. Where the Locals Hang.

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25.  Enjoy a leisure stroll on the VENICE CANALS.  The streets in Venice were once canals laid out by city founder Abbot Kinney to be a miniature Venice, Italy.

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26.  Walk of fish on the VENICE PIER for breathtaking coastal views, watch the surfers in action, or go fishing. 1,300 foot pier was built in 1963.

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27.  Be inspired at the Beyond Baroque POETRY WALLS!   The words of Jim Morrison of the Doors, Manazar Gamboa, Philomene Long,  Exene Cervenka of the Punk Rock band X, actor Viggo Mortensen, and others are engraved in the concrete walls of the LAPD substation and three public restrooms exterior shower walls.

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28. Enjoy premium boardwalk views on these outdoor patios:   The Sidewalk Cafe, On the Waterfront Cafe,  High Rooftop Lounge,  Poke-Poke, Simmzy’s, The Cow’s End Cafe, Malaka Brothers, and Jody Maroni‘s.  View list!

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29.    DINE AND DRINK with dad at these fine establishments.   James’ Beach, Barlo Kitchen and Cocktails, High Rooftop Lounge,  Sidewalk  Cafe, Canal Club, The   Hama Sushi, Sunny Spot,  Cabo Cantina, Simmzy’s, or Tony P’s Dockside Grill.

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30.   Have a full day with Dad, and explore Venice using the Venice Activities CheckList and Map!  If you take photos #VeniceBeachFun

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31.  Find a cool Venice Event!

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32. Sometimes Dad’s need to get away!  Treat dad to a room in Venice at either Venice Breeze Suites, Venice Beach Suites and Hotel,  Hotel Erwin, Cadillac Hotel.    Check out this list of cool Venice Hotels!

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• View or print the Venice Checklist and bring it with you on your trip to Venice!
• Save money with these local deals!
• For all Venice Beach Fun:  VisitVeniceCA.com