Venice Boulevard

Venice Boulevard in Mar Vista
Former name(s)	West 16th Street
Location	Los Angeles, California
Nearest metro station	Culver City
West end	Speedway Boulevard in Venice
Major junctions	Abbot Kinney Boulevard, State Route 1, Centinela Avenue, Sawtelle Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, La Cienega Boulevard, Interstate 10, Fairfax Avenue, La Brea Avenue, San Vicente Boulevard, Crenshaw Boulevard, Western Avenue, Vermont Avenue, Figueroa Street, Grand Avenue, Hill Street, Broadway
East end	Main Street in Downtown continues as East 16th Street

Venice Boulevard is a major east–west thoroughfare in Los Angeles, running from the ocean in the Venice district, past the I-10 intersection, into downtown Los Angeles. It was originally known as West 16th Street under the Los Angeles numbered street system.

Route description

The western terminus of Venice Boulevard is Ocean Front Walk in Venice. Proceeding easterly, it assumes the designation California State Route 187 crossing Lincoln Boulevard (State Route 1). The route then passes through the Mar Vista neighborhood. Further east, it briefly forms the boundary between Palms and Culver City and passes near Sony Pictures Studios. Continuing northeast into the Crestview neighborhood in West Los Angeles, the SR 187 designation terminates at the intersection with Cadillac Avenue and the ramp carrying traffic from westbound I-10.^[1] Continuing to parallel Washington Boulevard directly to its south, as it does for much of its length, the route proceeds between the Picfair Village neighborhood in West Los Angeles and Lafayette Square in Mid-City, through the Mid-Wilshire district, through Arlington Heights and Harvard Heights, dips under the Harbor Freeway, and continues into the heart of downtown Los Angeles, where it turns into East 16th Street at Main Street.

History

A street railway was built on 16th Street by the Los Angeles Traction Company in 1896. An extra rail was installed in 1905, which created a dual-gauge streetcar thoroughfare which was shared with the Los Angeles Railway.^[2] The line eventually came under the control of the Pacific Electric Railway, which operated it until the end of 1950.^[3] The Venice Boulevard Local ran regular service to Vineyard Junction, while the Venice Short Line ran the length of Venice Boulevard from Pacific Avenue to Hill Street. The narrow gauge Los Angeles Railway A Line ran on Venice between Hill and Burlington Avenue until 1946.

Prior to 1932, West 16th Street ended at Crenshaw Boulevard. In that year part of the Pacific Electric right of way was taken and Venice Boulevard was cut through from La Brea Avenue to Crenshaw. At that time West 16th Street was renamed Venice Boulevard.^{[citation needed]}

Public transportation

Metro Local line 33 operates on Venice Boulevard. The Metro E Line serves a rail station at its intersection with Robertson Boulevard.

Landmarks

• Venice High School is located near the intersection with Walgrove Avenue.
• Loyola High School is located by Venice and Vermont Avenue.
• The Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery also lies on Venice.