Hotel at a Glance: The Kinney Venice Beach

Although The Kinney Venice Beach is only about a 7-minute car ride from the bustling Venice Beach Boardwalk, the laid-back, boutique-style hotel boasts an array of amenities that might just convince guests to stick around. At The Quad—the hotel's open-air courtyard—visitors can play ping pong, take a refreshing dip in a heated pool, or lounge around the cozy fire pit for a low-key evening.

• Make yourself at home in a king or double-queen room with a mini fridge and HDTV. Some room options also offer city and street views.
• Catch some sun at Venice Beach, which is only about a 10-minute drive from the hotel.
• Penmar Golf Course is also approximately a 10-minute car ride away, so you can hit the links on a 9-hole layout.
• Keep up your workout routine at the onsite fitness center.

Venice Beach, Los Angeles: Colorful Boardwalk and Wide Beaches

In the late 1890s, tobacco magnate Abbot Kinney set out to create a resort town–theme park hybrid that was reminiscent of Venice, Italy. He chose a marshy area of Los Angeles near the beach and hired construction crews to dig out canals so that gondolas could carry tourists to and fro. Kinney brought on architects to design hotels and stores with a distinctly Italian feel. He also added Kinney Pier, with attractions including a dance hall, auditorium, and aquarium. By the 1950s, the area had fallen into disrepair, but Venice was revitalized after an influx of hippies and artists moved in during the 1970s. Today, the Ocean Front Walk remains a prime spot for people-watching—it's a bustling blend of musicians, artists, street vendors, skateboarders, and only-in-LA eccentrics.

If you get tired of lounging on the sands of Venice Beach, you can hop on the 26-mile bike path to ride up the coast to sunny Santa Monica. This beachfront locale is best known for its namesake pier, which juts into the Pacific Ocean and hums with lively amusement park attractions, including a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and a carousel from the 1920s.