Venice beach is a "freak show" to some and "bohemian" to others. Depends on your age and outlook on alternative life styles I guess.
Its a whole strip about a mile long on the beach with market stalls , street performers resteraunts, bars, skaters, surfers, muscle beach outdoor gym, beach rugby ( was amazed to see that there you dont even see it here ) the white men cant jump basket ball courts and well eh freaks- plenty of em but all good natured an colourful
The area attracts this sort of crowd historically from the 60s/70s and maintains it with its relaxed and technically NOT illegal laws on personal spamspamspam smoking.
Hotels are cheaper in Venice and its only about 3$ in a taxi or a 5 min drive to Santa M. A car is essential around here really
Santa M is a very chilled out and upmarket area, People go to bars in flip flops and Abercrombie that have valet pick ups for ferraris!
I absolutely loved the area and its a great place to base your self for an LA visit, down town LA is sleazy seedy and dirty- great stuff then!!
DOwn the road is the biggest marina ( man made ) in marina del ray.
PM me and Ill talk all day about the place just spent 2 weeks there and ived there when younger. Its my no1 place to go back to ever!