Venice Beach is a quiet, hidden gem in the Los Angeles area. You may know the town for its hipster reputation and artistic bent and while both influence the town’s personality, it’s mainly the latter that encourages both tourists and LA locals to visit this beachy zip code. From murals to sculptures to unique architectural designs, this area oozes character. There are thousands of unique points of interest that make this place popular, but here are a few of the hot spots that give Venice Beach its vibrant reputation:

Venice Canals

Popular in both real life and on Instagram, the Venice Canals provide a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the nearby boardwalk. Start your exploring near the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Pacific Avenue or simply venture to all the different entrances and continue through the whimsical setting, modeled (somewhat successfully) after the famous Venice, Italy. Lined with lavish houses, the area is picturesque, featuring all types of architectural designs that feels like a breath of fresh air in the area.

Frank O’Gehry House

You may not know much about architecture, but ask any Venice local about the buildings around town and they’re sure to namedrop Frank O. Gehry. Gehry is an exceptional artist whose work is featured all around the city of Los Angeles, with most of his buildings residing on the Westside (that’s the Santa Monica/Venice/Brentwood area, for all of you non-locals). Stroll down the Venice Boardwalk and you’ll soon run into the Norton House, an eccentric home designed by Gehry in 1984. In true Venice form, the home was designed using everyday materials, low costs, and some interesting sculptural forms. And that’s not the only Gehry building around town – he also designed the arguably more notable Binoculars Building, featured below.

Mosaic Tile House

Take one glance at the Mosaic Tile House and it’s obvious that this is the work of two artists that embody the entire spirit and personality of Venice Beach. The house is beyond colorful and took over a decade to complete (complete is a loose term, as it’s still considered a work in progress). It’s covered from inside to out in ceramic mosaic tiles, handmade by Cheri Pann and staged by her partner Gonzalo Duran. Book an appointment or take a stroll nearby – either way, it’s a must-visit in the Venice area.

Renaissance Building & Clown Sculpture

Leave it to Venice to turn an ordinary apartment complex into a work of art. The Venice Renaissance building is home to 66 condos, 23 rental apartments, 25,000 square feet of commercial space, but most importantly, the Clown in a Dress sculpture. Nicknamed “Ballerina Clown” (or “Clownerina”), this Jonathan Borofsky creation resides above the entrance to a pharmacy in the building. Look closely and you’ll see a few Venice personalities embodied in this sculpture, showcasing the formal, classical dancer side of Venice and the more liberal street performer.

Binoculars Building

In the heart of Venice is the famous Binoculars Building, a commercial office space boasting a massive sculpture of — wait for it — a pair of binoculars. While the building itself was designed and built by Frank O. Gehry, the sculpture was created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. The pair of binoculars doesn’t just serve as a local landmark either – visitors gain access to both the parking garage and the building’s entrance in between the landmark’s lenses. And why would they be visiting this specific building? The Binoculars Building’s latest occupant is none other than Google, who has taken major interest in the Venice area as of late.

The Wave House

This unconventional, modern structure definitely stands out amongst the humble homes that make up most of Venice. Designed and developed by Mario Romano, the Wave House is made of custom-cut white aluminum, stained cedar blocks, and… skateboard decks. While the house doesn’t quite fit in with the Bohemian neighborhood, architecture like this is exactly what makes Venice so distinctive. You never know what you’re going to see when you turn each corner.