Venice Birthday: Fruit, Fun, and the Freedom to Move
There’s a reason I keep coming back to Venice. It’s not just the beach, it’s the movement. The artists. The energy. The quiet moments that somehow still exist between the boom of speakers and the calls of vendors. This year, I celebrated my birthday at Venice Beach with my little crew and my favorite Sin Límites visor. It’s more than a phrase, it’s a way I walk into each year: without limits, but with intention. We swam, we walked, we ate, we moved. Venice gave us everything and then some.
Street Fruit & Street Culture
The vendors are part of the whole ecosystem. We supported them the way we supported the break dancers with respect, with cash, and with a little negotiation first. Because let’s be real: fruit is better when you find a deal.
We found our trio of perfect picks and enjoyed one cold, sweet moment of gratitude. I watched a woman carry her entire cooler of fruit on her head like a queen. That’s not just ancestorial movement, that’s labor, that’s balance, and that’s strength.
That’s also why I bring cash. Street vendors don’t just feed you, they extend your time at the beach. They make the day easier, better, longer. They are the rhythm between the waves and the drums. The artists and vendors are both part of the economy and part of the joy.
Movement Everywhere
Muscle Beach did not disappoint. Handstands on bars. Challenging pull-ups. You can’t fake that kind of strength. The basketball courts were full, the boardwalk packed with roller skaters, couples walking, tourists wondering if they’re locals yet. And me? I was both observer and participant, always moving, always noticing.
Swimming Smart & Living Things
A few notes from a regular:
1. Don’t swim near the rocks, seriously. The current can push you right into them, and the area around it is sharper than it looks.
2. We spotted two leopard fish near the shore, no pictures, just a flash of patterned movement. Formie reminded us they tend to swim in groups and come in for warm, shallow feeding. Be aware of life around you, both the seen and unseen.
3. Stay Sharp. Even the birds were on alert! At one point, a gang of seagulls swarmed us. I found veggie chips in my bag, crushed them, walked a few feet away, and scattered them. It was fun to watch them feast… and also a strategic evacuation. Peace restored.
This was a moment I had to capture. The rhythm, the movement, the crowd’s reaction—Venice knows how to throw a sidewalk party.
Hat Game Strong
Listen, y’all know my hat game. In Chinatown? 3 for $10. Venice Beach? $17.99 minimum, unless you look around. I found 3 for $20 and jumped on it. Because if you're gonna walk the walk, do it shaded, with sunblock on, and styled.
One More Thing: Know Your Ground
I picked up a postcard recently from Tsunami.org with tips on alerts and evacuation zones. I’ll be honest, it made me pause. And being at the beach reminded me to pay it forward and share the information. Because we can’t ignore that this beautiful coastline, it’s a tectonic zone. An earthquake zone. A tsunami risk.
I didn’t want to ignore that. So I’m sharing the reminder here: enjoy the beach, but know your exits. I’ll be doing a full post on earthquake and tsunami preparedness soon because movement isn’t just about workouts. It’s also about readiness. And I want us all to be here next year, celebrating something.
Did you know
Venice Beach wasn’t always muscle, murals, and breakbeats. It started as one man’s vision of a renaissance resort. Here's a glimpse of how it grew:
“In the 1890’s, one man’s dream of a renaissance resort and amusement park transformed a deteriorating marshland west of Los Angeles, California, into the 'Coney Island of the Pacific'. Despite disbelief and opposition, the dreams of Abbot Kinney materialized in grand style.”
Source: https://www.laparks.org/venice/home.html#gallery
Plan your visit: L.A Parks and Recreation Venice Beach
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