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The original idea of Venice being a nice place to visit for some afternoon entertainment is gone. The performers that are out there don’t compare to what they were 10 years ago. Leave before dark or else you may and will be robbed. Do not take your children there; people are smoking drugs up and down the boardwalk. The shops have gone from souvenirs specialty stores to marijuana free medical card shops and tattoo shops. This place is not family friendly, if you are a tourist you may want to visit Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach or take the drive to Malibu. Maybe if I was 13 or 14 years old I would be amused and impressed by what Venice has to offer but with the latino gangs roaming everywhere I prefer to keep my family safe at a nicer and cleaner beach. The restrooms reek of piss and pot, I’m sure that there are still some nice places to see at Venice beach but I have Lived in S. California my entire life I’m now 34 years old and wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone; not tourist or locals. Check out L.A. live, go to Rodeo Drive, or the Hollywood walk of fame. Those places are better suited to accommodate the true S. California Experience. \r
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