Last month, my good friend Vivien and I went to Venice Beach to celebrate the Fourth and to get away from the cold “summer” of San Francisco. To get the full experience of the neighborhood, we decided to stay in an Airbnb rental. To be more specific, we stayed in the most adorable, charming cottage ever. While planning the trip, we knew that we wanted our experience to feel much more authentic, almost like we were stepping into what living in Venice is truly like. My preference is usually to book a spot using Airbnb, mostly because I feel like it’s a great way to experience your destination, but from the eyes of a local. Believe me when I say the livin’ is good.
The details of the house were really quite astounding. From leather armchairs with bronze studs to vintage found rugs and textiles, the decor of this cottage really spoke to my inner bohemian. The vibe was totally relaxed and casual, perfect for unwinding and enjoying a bit of vacation. Oh, and the best part? Noodle got to come with me! Mostly out of curiosity, when booking I messaged the host and inquired if dogs were welcome — turns out they are! I have to say, it was absolutely fantastic having with my tiny guy around while also being on vacation. Kind of like the best of both worlds.
The patio space was truly my favorite though. Nestled under a massive bougainvillea tree, I could have lounged for hours (and I did). It was the perfect place to unwind, enjoy some snacks, and read. Then at night, it became this super sultry lounge spot. I loved it.
The food scene in Venice Beach (and the surrounding beach towns) was pretty spot on. We quickly found our favorite though and kept going back for more! If you find yourself in the neighborhood, definitely be sure to check out Abigaile.
Also, all month long I’ll be pinning along with Airbnb on my #BelongAnywhere board — head over to Pinterest and follow along!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Airbnb. All opinions are my own, and I would never endorse something I didn’t completely love. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Jojotastic going.
photography by Jojotastic