Venice is a three ring circus during most of the year. After the Memorial Day weekend to Oct. it can rock. Culture shock to most anyone outside of the LA area. If you don't like the weird and strange, be warned. Your not in Kansas any more. Well worth the experience though. (weather is usually the best then, but we have what is called California Eddy's. These are extended weather fronts that bring overcast and gloomy days any time of the year. No smog at the beach, smog is inland) Venice is much improved with lot's of million dollar condo's. The old Venice canals are cleaned up and pretty much a high rent area. Also a large artist colony is there. Venice and Santa Monica do have a crime problem. That's why there are so many walking and bike patrols along the boardwalk/strand. South Central (not that far away from the beach) gangs go there, usually on the weekends. If your driving at night around Venice, get lost and wind up near Lincoln Blvd & Washington Blvd, please turn around and go back the way you came. Nearing the Mar Vista area...local bad boy gangs.
Check out the Third Street Promenade for some prime looking hot women, who think that covering only 5% of their body is the thing to do. The majority of them look like a Victoria Secrets model and dress like one. Even some of the 50ish women look unbelievable. Drive down to Marina Del Rey for some great bars and eating places. Also have a ready supply of outstanding hottie's there. Take the PCH up to Malibu. Not much there really but at least you can tell people you were there. If going to Hollywood stay along Sunset Blvd.....best up scale clubs. Players and pretenders everywhere. Again ultra hot chicks.
The legend of the muscle mecca has pretty much been reduced. Go to Gold's by all means. A piece of BB'ing history. Take a workout, might be a lesser known Pro training next to you. Usually friendly staff, the older guy's seem to take time to talk about what was what back in the day. A Venice and Muscle Beach trip can be a life time experience for a lot of folks. Good Luck.