Monday, December 24, 2012

Happy Holidays from Venice, California

Most people know Venice, California isn't the average beach town, so why would we have the average holiday boat parade?
Crowd favorite: three surfboards with a Barry Manilow sail, which was lowered to go under the bridges.
Residents adopted pedestrian bridges and decorated them.

It was a rainy evening, so I'm sure that's why the reindeer slipped on the rooftop above. Ho. Ho. Ho.
A bike float before setting sail.

Here's a long shot of the canals, originally built in 1905 and put on the National Register of Historical Places in 1982. After decades of severe deterioration, the canals were dredged and rehabilitated in the 1990s. If you study the above photo, you'll see saltbush barriers that serve as guardrails between the water and pedestrian walkways.

I wish you all joy and peace over the holidays. May you find adventure and good cheer wherever you may go.

14 comments:

Wen Baragrey said...

Oh that is awesome! Venice really seems like my kinda place.

Jemi Fraser said...

Looks a little different from our couple of feet of snow! :) Love the idea of a boat parade - so fun!! Enjoy the holidays!!!

storyqueen said...

So cool! I always wondered the why it was named Venice and if there was a connection between Venice, Italy. The canals!!

May your days be Merry and Bright.

xoxo--

Shelley

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Wen: You would love Venice. Everybody knows about the crazy boardwalk, but that's entertainment. For people who live here, it's an eclectic hometown. Happy holidays to you, my friend!

Jemi: Sometimes I miss snow, but I'd rather be a visitor to it! This boat parade is small and funny. There are big ones with fancy, decorated yachts like in Newport Beach. Happy holidays, Jemi!

Shelley: Exactly. The town promoters wanted to make it like Italy. In the early years this area had some of that glamour but it deteriorated badly. Now, it's beautiful again. All my best to you and yours this Christmas and New Years!

larainydays said...

Thanks for the glimpse of Venice. Merry Christmas Tricia.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Laraine: My pleasure. And a very Merry Christmas to you!

Stephanie Thornton said...

Lovely! (And it looks nice and warm--I'm jealous!)

Merry Christmas Tricia!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Stephanie: It was a chilly, rainy evening, but compared to where you are? Warm, yes!

I hope you keep toasty and have a fabulous Christmas and New Year, my friend!

Anne Gallagher said...

Happy Christmas, Tricia! I would love to be in Venice for the boat parade.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Anne: It's is amazingly small town party for being on the edge of greater Los Angeles. Wish you could be here, too! Have a wonderful holiday.

Unknown said...

Oh my! That looks wonderful!

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Tricia :)

Donna said...

What fun! Thanks for sharing.

Phoenix said...

I hail from LA but I have never made it over to Venice Beach...but I'm rethinking that after this post, which looks so cheery (even in the rain.)

Wishing you some very happy holidays, Tricia :)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

*waves at Phoenix* I cannot believe you haven't been to Venice, but if you do come don't let the crowded boardwalk be your only experience, please. Walk the canals and the beach around the pier.
Wishing you a bright New Year.