The Venice Pier, which juts out into the Pacific Ocean from where it starts in Los Angeles’ Venice, offers much more than the 1,300-foot walking path. Of course, the immediate delights of walking along pier include expansive views of the deep blue before you, and the pale white of the receding tide as it laps away at the sandy shore. You might walk past fishermen reeling in their catch for the day, or couples arm in arm as they watch the sun sink down the horizon.

If people watching has always fascinated you, then the Venice Pier is the perfect spot to try that out. Behind you, the colorful buildings of the Venice district stretch out along the sandy coast, and street entertainers mill about, bringing laughter to onlookers. You could even traverse the bike path leading to the well-known Santa Monica, or sample trinkets at the array of shops nearby. If you’re up for some surfing, you can catch the waves at the beach, close to the pier. Water and splashing about not your thing? There are volleyball courts close by, and you can get your adrenaline pumping as you smash the ball down. With this much fun abound, you definitely can’t pass up the Venice Pier.