Venice is a residential beach-resort community in southern California. Part of Los Angeles, Venice is located on Santa Monica Bay, immediately south of the city of Santa Monica. Venice was founded in 1905; it was built along Ballona Creek by Abbot Kinney, a wealthy tobacco heir and real estate developer, who attempted to recreate the Italian city of Venice, which is famous for its canals. Kinney constructed more than 32 km (more than 20 mi) of canals, complete with the distinctive gondola boats and palazzo mansions characteristic of the Italian Venice. He also developed an amusement park that attracted large numbers of tourists. The city of Los Angeles annexed Venice in 1925. Almost all of Venice's canals were filled in within several decades of construction; in 1994 the community completed restoration of the remaining three canals.

Venice has an established community of artists. Though the amusement park no longer exists, Venice remains a tourist attraction for the Venice Boardwalk along Venice Beach, which is popular with roller skaters, musicians, dancers, jugglers, and even firewalkers. Venice is also the location of Muscle Beach, a well-known outdoor weightlifting center.