Pull out your pink neon biking shorts, strap on your roller blades, and book that convertible!
Following sightings of actors Margot Robbie and Canadian Ryan Gosling in neon and roller blades as Barbie and Ken in a new live-action film, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board offers some suggestions about how real visitors can tap into their own inner "Barbie" in California's famous Venice Beach.
Roll Like Barbie and Ken
Located on the coast between Venice and Santa Monica, Perry’s Café and Beach Rentals’ offers roller skate rentals for a cruise down the coast with views of the ocean. According to the tourist board, Venice Beach is well-known for its skating community, with roller dancers taking over parts of the boardwalk to gather and skate. Travellers can join locals at the Venice Beach Boardwalk and Venice Skatepark for a cruise along the beach (neon knee pads and leotards optional), and maybe even catch a performance from one of Venice’s popular roller skate groups.
Get a Barbie Blow-out at The Salon Venice
Barbie and Ken aren’t complete without their signature polished, bleach blonde hairstyles. Inspired visitors can get the Barbie look (or just a blow-out for a night out) at trendy The Salon Venice just a mile (1.6 km) away from the ocean.
Shop ‘til you Drop on Abbot Kinney
A mile-long stretch of shops, restaurants and galleries, Abbot Kinney’s businesses inhabit century-old bungalows and modern architectural buildings in the heart of Venice Beach. Celebrities, artists and locals alike come together with international flagship stores and boho-chic boutiques featuring vintage discoveries, wellness experiences and street art.
With options ranging from retro looks to the latest in fashion, guests can style themselves as workout, beachside or air hostess Barbie.
Get a Barbie Manicure at Venice Soleil
Guests can treat themselves to a manicure fit for Barbie herself at Venice Soleil, a nail salon and spa offering services in a relaxed, beachy environment using chem-free and hypo-allergenic products - very California conscious! The only question is which shade of pink Barbie would choose.
Get the 'Full Barbie' by tapping into other spa services such as facials, waxing, eyelash extensions, massages and an infrared sauna experience.
Find your Barbie 80s Look at Bazar
Barbie’s official birthday is in 1959, making her a thoroughly retro girl.
The tourist board says Bazar is the place to channel some of Barbie’s early signature looks and accessories. Founded by Venice native Tina Wakino as one of the longest-standing shops on Abbot Kinney, Bazar is packed with antique furniture, textiles, rare brands and vintage pieces. Bazar is home to a constantly evolving stock of vintage garments, and perhaps even some 80s-style neon worthy of Margot Robbie’s Barbie.
Soak up the Sun with your Pooch at Hotel June
No Barbie day is complete without some sunbathing on a ‘dream house’ rooftop.
Just a few miles from the heart of Venice Beach, Hotel June West L.A. is a nod to the spirit of California with its design, food and pool deck. The breezy Caravan Swim Club is a poolside gathering for soaking up the sun with cabanas, fire pits and a menu of shareable snacks, seasonal salads, cocktails and more. In true Barbie fashion, Hotel June welcomes guests to bring their furry friends along to enjoy the sun together.
Jump on the Wellness Trend at Moon Juice
A physiologically-impossible Barbie bod doesn't come easy!
But you can go to California heights of self-care at Moon Juice, which adds adaptogens, mushrooms and clinical-level actives into supplements and skincare with "clinically studied ingredients." Describing their shops as a coffee bar, candy store and apothecary all in one, Moon Juice’s brick-and-mortar Venice location serves up juices, milks and tonics alongside a selection of their bestselling wellness products. Highlights include their Goddess Greens juice, Silver Strawberry milk, Chocolate Chaga donuts, Moon Dusts, signature skincare products and more.
For more information on the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, visit its web site.
