VENICE BEACH
To work off the calories, we rented (rental rates) bikes at Venice Beach. I'm not a big fan of Venice, but my dad and Nancy really wanted to go. It's too bad Venice is so sketchy, because it's in a beautiful location. But the place depresses me. It's dirty, and home to hundreds of derelicts and homeless people. We went on a weekday, when it's quiet because there are fewer street performers (especially in winter). However, we watched a young girl sucker-punch another woman. Blood spewed everywhere. What's wrong with these people? I couldn't wait to get the heck out. Here's my advice to L.A. visitors: Stay away from Venice Beach. If you want water, go to nearby Manhattan or Hermosa Beach. Just a 15-minute, $20 taxi ride from LAX, they're perfect if you've got a long international connection.