Abbot Kinney Blvd., a unique L.A. experience
Abbot Kinney Blvd. never fails to intrigue, amuse and delight. A place where celebrities, foodies, local artists and bohemians mingle at top-chef eateries and neighborhood haunts alike.
You'll love Abbot Kinney Blvd., here's why
I haven't seen my son Campbell, who lives in Los Angeles since Christmas. If I didn’t plan a trip in July I wouldn’t be able to see him until Thanksgiving! My other incentive was to meet his girlfriend too. (insert heart eyes emoji)
I’ve been going to L.A. a few times a year since Campbell moved there after graduating from the University of Arizona in 2019. It’s been so much fun. What's not to love about exploring new areas of the city with an insider? He knows all sorts of hidden gems, which you wouldn't normally find on your typical itinerary!
Campbell lives in Mar Vista which is near the better-known adjacent neighborhood, Venice Beach. He’d been talking about how fun Abbot Kinney is and so I was curious to see for myself.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a mile-long strip of popular shops, restaurants, and galleries, inhabiting eclectic century-old bungalows and modern architectural buildings — in the heart of famed Venice Beach, California.
It's this mix of old world charm and cutting edge cool that makes Abbot Kinney such an intriguing place to explore. It was impossible to walk down the street without stopping to admire everything around me. From the vibrant murals to the stunning architecture, Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a true feast for the senses.
Come to Abbot Kinney and see the vibrant colors of L.A.
Venice Beach is one of the most colorful places on earth. From the brightly painted walls to the multi-colored murals, there is no shortage of eye-catching hues. Even the stairs are splashed with color. But my favorite part of Venice Beach is definitely Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard is often said to be the coolest street in America. It's also incredibly colorful, with murals and graffiti adding pops of color to the otherwise urban landscape. Visitors can stroll down the street, taking in all the sights and sounds of this vibrant community. There's truly something for everyone on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, making it the perfect place to spend a day in Los Angeles.
And it’s not just the physical appearance of the place that’s so colorful — it’s also the energy of the people who flock here. There’s a feeling of creativity and vibrancy in the air that’s truly contagious. Whether you’re admiring the artwork or simply enjoying a meal, spending time on Abbot Kinney Boulevard is sure to be a colorful experience.
Who was Abbot Kinney
Abbot Kinney Boulevard honors Abbot Kinney, the late 19th century millionaire entrepreneur and visionary.
He spent his fortune building a replica of his favorite city, Venice, Italy. His “Venice-of-America”, a cultural mecca and massive playground complete with canals, gondolas, pleasure piers, pools, piazzas and colonnades opened in 1905.
More than a hundred years later, Venice's rich, colorful bohemian history is still in the making.
Watercooler Chatter
Dr. Paul Crapo, former chair of the Modern Foreign Language Department at the University of Tennessee at Martin was my mother’s boss but he and his wife, Katy, were also very dear friends of my parents. They moved to Athens, Georgia several years ago. Now they stay with me when they’re traveling through Nashville and always come bearing gifts. This time they gave me an aperitif, Pitaud Pink Pineau Des Charentes wine.
My client/friend Kathy Osborne loves to cook and mix drinks. She’s a wealth of information when it comes to food and cocktails. A few years ago Kathy turned me onto daiquiris, not the frozen kind I used to serve Vanderbilt students in the 80s either. Learn more about this drink from Everyday Drinking on Substack and be sure to subscribe too. It’s always a great read.
Music from the 1990s is more popular than music from any other decade right now according to Axios.
I stumbled across another substacker Virginia Chamlee and I have enjoyed reading her newsletter so much so that I ordered her new book, Big Thrift Energy.
Congratulations to Campbell Dunn for accepting a full-time position with Major League Baseball. Be sure to follow his journey on his Instagram.
Reason to give LA another try! And congrats on your beautiful Substack!
Great article and information. I’ve been to Venice Beach before but never walked along Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Based on your glowing recommendation, I think we’ll check it out when we’re there in September.
Congratulations to Campbell on the full-time MLB gig!