March 28, 2024 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Discover Venice’s Cool Hidden Murals Through Free App

Venice Boardwalk App co-founders Mason Lee and Evan White invite locals and tourists to download their free smart phone app to discover murals, attractions, and discounts throughout Venice, Santa Monica, and Marina del Rey.
Venice Boardwalk App co-founders Evan White and Mason Lee invite locals and tourists to download their free smart phone app to discover murals, attractions, and discounts throughout Venice, Santa Monica, and Marina del Rey.

It’s Friday morning on the Venice Boardwalk, too early for the tourists. Venice locals Evan White and Mason Lee wander along Ocean Front Walk past the building that is home to the Venice Beach Freak Show. The sun shines a milky light through the marine layer, Lee points out a mural; “I don’t think that one’s in yet.”

Lee’s talking about adding the mural and its location to the app he and White have designed. The Boardwalk App is an app that showcases much of what Venice has to offer and it’s something that can be used by everybody.

From sharing the location of an obscure mural to featuring an app-only cocktail special from a local bar, the Boardwalk App is about helping both tourists, locals, and local businesses get the most out this beach community spanning from the Venice Pier to the Santa Monica Pier.

Co-founder Evan White explains how, the inspiration for the app came after feeling, that as a Venice local, he wasn’t making the most of all that was on offer in his own backyard.

“At least for me, I end up going to the same places all the time,” White says. “I think people end up kind of in a rut, they know there’s cool stuff around them but they get comfortable, so we built an app to help people explore the neighborhood around us.”

Available for both Android and iOS, the app lists more than 650 local restaurants, bars, murals, and attractions. The Boardwalk team is continually adding more and more. Within the app users can find exciting things to do, interesting things to see, and access discount coupons to local businesses.

While White says the core business is helping people find discounts at bars and restaurants, it’s art that really drives the app.

“We’ve found an awesome niche here with the art community,” White says. “There are hundreds of murals in the neighborhood which people seem to really, really love.”

Owner of local Venice business, LA Social Karma, and avid long distance runner, Jennifer Wilson (pictured above) has been using the app to help train for an upcoming race.

“I’m running a 100 mile race in August so I do a lot of running during the week and I was trying to figure out a way to break up some of the runs,” Wilson says. “I discovered the Boardwalk App and I loved all the murals, so I thought I’ll create a run around Venice where I could check out the different murals.”

The way the app works lends itself to duplication around the globe. However, if they were to expand the app to other cities White explains that because local arts, and artists are such an integral part of the app, “it would almost have to be somewhere that has an amazing art culture as well, so maybe that’s Sydney or Paris. Some neighborhood that not only has a lot of bars, restaurants, and tourists attractions, but also an amazing art community.”
For now, however, the team is happy to stay focused on the attractions in their own backyard.

“We’re not eager to spread it before it’s ready to spread,” says Lee. “Right now we’re on iOS and Android, and if anyone wants to be featured we’d love for them to email us at  info@beachmobile.net to add their restaurant, bar, or mural.”

Both Lee and White moved to Venice in the early days of the tech migration to Venice. White worked at a previous startup. Lee, an engineer by trade, moved to find like-minded tech entrepreneurs.
“We bootstrapped this, he’s (Lee) a brilliant engineer, I’m pretty good at business and we decided, let’s put this together on our own and just do it and see what happens,” says White. “So far the Venice Chamber of Commerce and the local business associations have really loved it, so we think we’re on the right track.”

For both, as locals, it was important they make something that benefits the community they call home.

“A lot of the other tech startups in the neighborhood are working on amazing, cool things, and they’re raising millions of dollars, but it has nothing really to do with the neighborhood,” says White. “Sure locals use their services, but we’re one of the very few tech startups located in Venice and really aiming to help people here in Venice.”

Check out Boardwalk in the App Store:  www.DownloadBoardwalk.com.

Related Posts

California: Pioneering the Future of Online and Digital Payments

January 11, 2024

January 11, 2024

In the fast-paced digital economy of the 21st century, California has emerged as a powerhouse in the realm of online...

A Guide to the Current Gambling Situation in Canada

January 1, 2024

January 1, 2024

For centuries, gambling has woven itself into the fabric of human culture; in recent years–marking an era where evolution pervades...

Smart Strategies to Save Money in Your Entertainment Budget

December 30, 2023

December 30, 2023

Many individuals and families in today’s fast-paced world share a common goal: finding ways to save money. The entertainment budget...

California’s top sports teams.

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

California is known worldwide for a multitude of exciting things. They’re known for their incredible beaches, glorious sunshine, and fabulous...

Your Lucky Numbers: Six Tips Towards Lottery Success

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Have you ever wondered how people win money from the lottery? They may not always hit the jackpot, but they...

Five different ways to unwind.

October 1, 2023

October 1, 2023

Modern life is always busy and it can feel like your to-do list is never ending. When you’re not working,...

Over Half of Short-Term Rentals Advertised in LA Don’t Comply With City’s Home Sharing Ordinance

April 4, 2023

April 4, 2023

Better Neighbors LA report highlights the inadequacies of enforcement measures for short-term rentals in Los Angeles, calling for increased regulation...

Venice Beach Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested in West Virginia

December 22, 2022

December 22, 2022

Brandon Manyo Dixon arrest in West Virginia By Sam Catanzaro A man has been arrested for the attempted murder of...

The Current Gambling Situation in California

December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

Here’s what to know about everything from online casinos to betting in the state. In the U.S., gambling is a...

Cancer Cartel Provides Financial Help To Cancer Patients

November 16, 2022

November 16, 2022 1

Cancer Cartel is helping cancer patients focus on their treatment, not the financial stress of living with a diagnosis. Learn...

100 Miles of Bus-Only Lanes Within Five Years on City Council Plans

October 17, 2022

October 17, 2022

L.A’s public transportation network is known for being slow due to traffic congestion. A new motion by L.A. City Council...

What Is the Most Effective Way to Sell a Used Car?

October 6, 2022

October 6, 2022

It’s no secret that selling a used car can be difficult. You have to find the right buyer, negotiate a...

How Do I Know What Types of Commercial Trucking Insurance Coverage I Need?

October 1, 2022

October 1, 2022

Running a small trucking company is expensive. You must comply with many rules set forth by the Federal Motor Carriers...

Best Ways To Show Your LA Baseball Love

August 10, 2022

August 10, 2022

Los Angeles is a sports lover’s paradise. In every sport except for the NHL, locals have two teams to choose...

Inspiring Others Through Body Positivity

May 13, 2022

May 13, 2022

Navy Officer Janae Carey Teams-Up with 2022 Herbalife24 Triathlon Los Angeles . Video brought to you by Pudu Pudu.