Retro hotel just off the boardwalk, channeling Venice’s bohemian surf culture with graffiti art and sunny, '70s-inspired rooms. The rooftop bar is a local fixture for sunset cocktails and clear views over the ocean.
Stays
My weekends are split between beach runs and taco trucks.
With its retro motel-style exterior and partitions between balconies, Hotel Erwin holds a prime spot on Pacific Avenue – it’s as close as you can get to the Venice boardwalk without being on the sand itself. Founded in 1975 to capture the neighborhood’s eclectic energy, the hotel still channels that spirit. The lobby sets the tone with displayed surfboards and graffiti images by local artist Tom Vinetz, leaning into the area’s surf-and-skate culture. The 119 rooms follow a '70s bohemian sensibility, the result of a recent remodel by designer Sally Breer. The look is airy and sun-filled, built around a playful, retro color palette of blues, greens, and yellows. You’ll find modern coastal furnishings like wicker chairs and elliptical orange lamps, and many rooms come with private balconies offering either city or ocean views. Food and drink are centered around three distinct spots. The rooftop is home to Kassi Venice Beach, a Greek-inspired restaurant and bar that’s a major draw for sunset – reservations are essential and need to be booked well in advance. Downstairs, a street-facing window serves California-style pies from Pizza Girl, while Barlo Kitchen handles daily breakfast. For getting around, the hotel provides custom-designed beach cruisers from Venice-based Sole Bicycles. Complimentary beach gear like towels and chairs is also available, though it’s best to pick it up early before the daily supply runs out. The elevator serves both hotel guests and visitors heading to the rooftop, so it can get busy during peak hours.
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