A miniature steam railroad and gondolas provided transportation.
Visitors swam in the ocean, or took the salt-water plunge.
They listened to band concerts by the lagoon. Kinney later enlarged the pier and Venice of America became a full-fledged amusement area. He gained control of local politics, and convinced everyone that the area officially should be known as Venice. Almost a hundred years later, attractions at the Venice Beach area of greater Los Angeles may be different than Kinney envisioned. But people still flock to this west coast fun spot to see musicians, clowns, sword-swallowers, dancers, skaters, muscle men and artists who make up today's entertainment along the beach and boardwalk.