Is Venice Beach Safe? (Tourist Guide)

Going to a beach in Venice is always an intriguing option for visitors.

We found it to be a lovely place, but we do realize its reputation. You are going to have to be aware of what you are getting into.

Beginning with the positives, Venice Beach is a remarkable place and is known for having a chilled atmosphere. This includes people relaxing, enjoying the good weather, and entertaining themselves throughout the day.

The one thing people do worry about is how safe Venice Beach is at night.

We know you are going to be wondering about this and we are going to help answer this question. Our goal is to make sure you are aware of what Venice Beach is like.

Let’s take a look at how safe Venice Beach is and whether or not you should be going here as a tourist.

Safety In Venice Beach

We have a multi-faceted opinion when it comes to safety in Venice Beach.

There are safe and unsafe hours.

The safe hours are going to be during the day. This is when the sun is going to be out and you are going to see friendly people wherever you are going. Plus, you are going to have thousands of tourists walking around depending on the time of year.

However, other hours are unsafe. This is going to be when the sun goes down and fewer people are outside. It is common for criminal activities to take place during the night and this is when you are not going to want to get caught in a bad spot.

You cannot take a risk when it comes to the night because it is unsafe. This is not the spot you are going to want to be when the darkness is all around you.

It’s common for issues involving theft to take place and you can become an easier target when you are out in the dark.

How To Stay Safe In Venice Beach

Beware Of Gangs Near Erewhon

One thing we often heard from locals had to do with the gang activity in Venice Beach.

This does not mean it’s widespread, but there are dangerous areas you are going to want to be aware of. This is going to include areas near Erewhon.

You are going to want to avoid this spot when the sun is down. It is not good for those who are unaware of their surroundings or are new to Venice Beach. This is dangerous and you can get caught in a bad situation unknowingly.

Stay Near The Beach

Let’s assume you are thinking about visiting the area and want to make the most of it.

We believe it’s great to do this, but that does not mean you are going to want to move to the outer areas. This is when you are going to deal with theft and/or other issues depending on the time of day.

For those who are just coming to sit by the water, why not stay on the beach?

This is where you are going to be the safest due to the number of tourists all around you.

Don’t Carry Your Valuables Everywhere

You are going to want to be careful when it comes to your valuables.

A lot of people make this mistake.

You are not going to want to start carrying your valuables everywhere you go because it’s going to make you an easier target. This is a recipe for disaster simply due to you providing an opportunity to those who do want to steal.

Don’t Go Out Alone At Night For Long Periods

If you are going to be alone, you should not be going out at night as a tourist.

This is a bad idea.

The reason we say it’s a bad idea has more to do with tourists not knowing where the unsafe areas are in Venice Beach. You can end up in the wrong spot or get into danger because you went along out at night.

If you are going to go, it’s best to have a clear route and stick to it. This is going to ensure you do what you need to do at night and then come back.

Final Thoughts

Venice Beach is not safe at night, but it is common for people to enjoy the beach during the day.

This region in California is going to depend on what time you are visiting. We haven’t dealt with too many issues in Venice Beach but it’s still known for being sketchy depending on where you are going.

We have provided tips on how to stay safe in Venice Beach for those who are visiting for the first time. We have gone from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach and shown what the experience is like too.

You can also go through our take on Venice Beach coffee shops and how to rent a bike in Venice Beach.