Venice Beach

Venice Beach in Florida faces the expansive Gulf of Mexico and is connected to the other paradise-like stretches of beaches of the Florida coast. Venice Beach shares the rich history of greater Venice, which was settled after the Civil War in the late 19th century through the Homestead Act of 1862. A village beach resort was planned and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers provided the capital. Soon, schools, playgrounds, parks, and a civic center were built. Venice beach enjoyed a mixture of diverse industries, from toy manufacturing to printing and publishing, from lumber mills to machine factories. At the turn of the century, when large industries are no longer economically viable and environmentally practicable, Venice Beach transformed into a tourist destination. At Venice Beach, from early spring to late fall, tourists primarily look forward to fishing. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico attract a wide variety of fish species, including the incredibly large king mackerel. The other fishes to catch while trawling the coast are groupers, Spanish mackerels, mangrove snappers, blackfin tunas, cobias, and greater amberjacks. Besides fishing, Venice Beach offers international gastronomic delights, from steaks to seafoods, from Cuban and Mexican to Italian, Indian, and Chinese cuisines. Most restaurants offer live entertainment and are conveniently located near shopping centers, such as the Bird Bay Plaza, the Tamiami Trail, the Brickyard Center, and the Jacaranda Plaza. After shopping, dining, and frolicking at the beach, tourists can go to nearby attractions at Venice Beach, such as the Jungle Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and the Ringling Museum.