The Ideal 1 Day LA Bike Ride Itinerary – Venice to Redondo Beach

With countless miles of scenic coastline and beachside bike paths, few activities epitomise the Southern California vibe better than a bike ride along the beach. If you only have one day to take in the ocean breezes and sunny vibes of LA by bike, this Venice Beach to Redondo Beach loop is the perfect route.

Starting by picking up a rental bike in Venice, this itinerary takes you along the iconic Santa Monica Pier, through cute beach towns like Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, with stops for food and drink along the way. With manageable mileage and plenty to see, this fun ride can be completed at a leisurely pace in one day.

In this guide, we provide a suggested one day LA bike tour from Santa Monica and Venice Beach to Redondo Beach and back that hits the highlights. Follow our route for a taste of the laidback beach culture that makes LA so special. You’ll leave with chiseled calves and unforgettable sunset views!

Pick up Bikes in Venice

There a ton of places up and down the Venice Beach board walk to rent bikes from largely similar rates for rentals. You can choose between electric bikes, regular bikes and scooters depending on your preference. As the route we chose was pretty much flat the whole way we didn’t see the need for an electric bike and rented two beach cruisers from Venice Boardwalk Bike Rental which came with a lock so we could safely leave them outside various stop offs. These bikes were in great condition and super smooth and easy to ride, perfect for a leisurely cruise up and down the LA coastline.

For the purpose of this guide, we’re going to assume you’re visiting from overseas and most likely won’t have a bike with you. Obviously if you’re local or brought your bike with you then you can skip this step.

Santa Monica Pier

Our first order of business after grabbing the bikes was to make the short journey north to the iconic Santa Monica Pier. We spent some time in the arcade playing classics like Whack-a-mole as well brand new video games like Luigi’s Mansion.The solar-powered Pacific Park amusement park has something for everyone with rides, games, and entertainment options. Don’t forget to take some cheesy photos in the booth!

Whether you hop on some rides, grab some souvenirs or simply admire the sea views, no trip to Santa Monica is complete without a stop at the pier.

Hermosa Beach

From Santa Monica, we took a leisurely ride south for about an hour. Passing through Marina Del Rey and Dockweiler beach on way, we eventually landed at upscale Hermosa Beach. The laidback beach scene with volleyball courts, skate parks, and outdoor gyms helped offers a snapshot of that classic LA lifestyle.

Here you can browse boutiques shops and art galleries that line Pier Avenue and if your trip happens to be on Friday afternoon, you can check out the farmer’s market which runs from midday until 4pm. Hermosa is a perfect place to stop, stretch your legs, and admire the Pacific before continuing on.

Redondo Beach

Continuing south, you’ll reach the Redondo Beach, the halfway turnaround point of this journey. Make sure to stop and admire the colourful shops and restaurants dotting the pier. If you need a pick me up, fuel up at the Redondo Coffee & Bait Shop, made famous by the TV show The OC.

Don’t miss checking out the beautiful boats and yachts docked in the neighbouring Redondo Beach Marina. Stopping to watch the boats bob gently in the sway of the water makes for a great peaceful pit stop before the return journey.

Manhattan Beach Pier

On the way back towards Venice, be sure to make a stop at Manhattan Beach Pier. You’ll enjoy panoramic views stretching down the coastline, perfect for snapping photos. There’s a free aquarium at the end of the pier with touch pools full of local sea creatures and is a great opportunity to learn about the local coastline.

Take time to admire the Manhattan Beach neighbourhood with luxury homes, upscale shops, and oceanfront restaurants. You can even try your luck surfing the beach’s south swell, or if you’re not feeling adventurous, simply watch the surfers master carving up the waves.

Return to Venice

Roll back into Venice in the early evening, just in time to catch the sunset over the ocean if timed right. After returning your bikes, take some time to soak up Venice’s lively boardwalk scene – browsing unique shops and grabbing a snack or drink from one of the many stands and restaurants. Watching the vivid sunset is the perfect end to an incredible day experiencing LA by bicycle.

Stick around after dusk to see the boardwalk come alive after dark. You can catch street performers and musicians up and down the beach or head over to the skate park to check out the skaters. However you choose to spend your evening in Venice, you’re sure to leave with a love for the eclectic and slightly chaotic vibe of the area.

Wrapping Up

While we only had the chance to stop at a handful of LA’s beautiful beach towns, this route provides a taste of the classic southern California vibes that make this area so special. Miles of bike paths connect Venice all the way to Redondo and beyond, allowing you to keep exploring at your own pace.

Wherever your wheels take you along the Pacific, be sure to stop and savour it – dip your toes in the water, watch the surfers or just breathe in the ocean air. Biking the LA beaches allows you to cover more ground while truly soaking up the sights and sounds. Forget the congested roads and experience the freedom of navigating this gorgeous stretch of shoreline on two wheels.