Little bridges, flowing water, and family homes | Venice Canal Historic District in Los Angeles

Venice Canal Historic District in Los Angeles. The Venice Canal Historic District, built by developer Abbot Kinney in 1905, was part of his American Venice project, attempting to recreate the look and feel of Venice, Italy, along the coastal area of Los Angeles. Upon entering the district, one can't help but admire the picturesque scene: little bridges, flowing water, family homes, docks, boats, and flowers, all intimately scaled, serene and beautiful, a haven from the world, inviting one to linger and forget to return. The overall layout of the waterways and walkways is straightforward, but one can experience the charm of simplicity and tranquility. Here, far from the bustling city, every household is by the water, with their own docks and canoes. It is said that during certain festivals, people will take to their boats and rafts, gathering on the canals. Originally, the canals covered a larger area than what is seen today. However, with the popularity of automobiles in the area, many canals were filled in 1929 to make way for paved roads. In 1982, the remaining canals and the surrounding residential area were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. In 1992, renovations were made; the canal water was drained, new sidewalks and walls were constructed, and water was allowed to enter the canals through the sea gates at the Marina Del Rey breakwater. The gates are opened at low tide to drain most of the water and closed at high tide, trapping the water for about three days before being refreshed again. In 1993, the district was reopened and became one of the city's most desirable and expensive residential areas. In recent years, there has been extensive renovation of old houses and construction of many large modern homes, When in Los Angeles, it is recommended to take a walk here. An hour is enough to give you a beautiful view (the cover photo of Figure 1 is our walking route at the time). Address: Carroll Ct & Eastern Canal Ct Venice, CA 90293 Transportation: Not far from Los Angeles International Airport