Place to see: The Venice Canals, Venice, California, United States

About this place:

Originally intended to be a copy of Venice, Italy the canals of Venice Beach were created by Abbot Kinney at the turn of the 20th century. Under his direction 16 miles of canals were dug but his vision of a waterway indulgent city was usurped by the advent of the automobile.

Although the majority of the canals were filled in and paved as roads some still remained and still exist today. During the sixties hippies took over and Jim Morrison of The Doors is said to have lived there. Today the canals are made up of beautiful and usually expensive homes. Little white bridges criss cross throughout the canals and almost every home features a little dock with a canoe or paddleboat.

In 2003 I found a one bedroom apartment perched over a set of garages and overlooking one of the little white canal bridges. I lived there for four years, the honeysuckle bushes, bougainvilla, and softly quacking ducks creating one of the most peaceful environments I've ever lived in.