Venice Beach Nominated For ‘Best Free Attraction’ In U.S.: USA Today

VENICE, FL — Venice Beach is in the running to be named the “Best Free Attraction” in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

The beach is one of 20 attractions in the United States nominated by a panel of travel experts and 10Best editors in this category.

The panel chose Venice Beach — known as “the shark tooth capital of the world” — for the contest because of the fossilized shark teeth found along the beach.

“This lovely white sand stretch also draws people in with its free parking, sand volleyball courts, picnic area and boardwalks,” the listing for the beach reads.

Venice Beach currently stands at No. 2 on the leaderboard, as of Wednesday morning, behind The Alamo in San Antonio Texas.

There are two other Florida attractions in the running: the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach and the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach.

Fans are urged to vote for their favorite attraction daily until voting ends on May 8 at noon.

The 10 winning attractions will be announced May 19, USA Today said.

Vote for Venice Beach here.

All nominated attractions include:

• The Alamo (San Antonio, Texas)
• Bartram’s Garden (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
• Bats Under Congress Bridge (Austin, Texas)
• Central Park (New York City, New York)
• Chicago Cultural Center (Chicago, Illinois)
• Freedom Trail (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Getty Villa (Pacific Palisades, California)
• Goat Rocks Wilderness (Randle, Washington)
• Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco, California)
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)
• The High Line (New York City, New York)
• Independence National Historical Park (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
• John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (Oregon)
• Loggerhead Marinelife Center (Juno Beach, Florida)
• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Redwoods National and State Parks (California)
• Sky Art Sculptures of Galleta Meadows (Borrego Springs, California)
• Staten Island Ferry (New York City, New York)
• TECO Manatee Viewing Center (Apollo Beach, Florida)
• Venice Beach (Venice, Florida)

Venice Beach is a Blue Wave Beach, an environmental certification for America’s beaches, according to the city of Venice website.

Visitors often see dolphins and shorebirds at the beach, and between May and October, might also find marine turtle nests.

It’s also known for its unique “sail”-style pavilion and beach restroom, which was built in 1964, the city said.

Though it’s within city limits, the beach is maintained by Sarasota County, including the concession stand.