According to the most recent guidelines, the Venice Beach area is open with limited activities. The boardwalk is open with access for curbside pickup of take out food. I do not live in the LA county, but would expect the shops are limited to crowd size.

Hi Chris! It's a beautiful time of year to hang around the boardwalk! Lovely and warm, although one can't predict the wind. But on the whole, beautiful and sunny! Have a great trip!

As to boardwalks in California, most are not the same as our East Coast boardwalks with their amusement parks (think Coney Island). The closest is Santa Cruz which has an old fashioned amusement park. Santa Monica is an open air street converted to pedestrian access with no ocean view. It is a success because of the crowds of walkers it attracts and its stores. Venice has a totally different scene (a throwback to the 60's) with hucksters, tattoo parlors, Muscle Beach, homeless, a bike path, lots of local color (CSI LA films here a lot) and it is adjacent to the sand. If you want ocean adjacent with a view of surfers then "C" Street in Ventura (it has a hotel) is much better. Santa Barbara (accessible by Amtrac from LA or San Diego) is the place for a "quiet" walk and downtown can't be beat for its quaintness.

Are you a people person, enjoy "different" folks, or are you shy and reclusive? Venice attracts "unique" individuals. Apartment rents are among the highest in the state, a one bedroom can exceed $2,500/mo. depending on how close to the sand you are. Many listing services for apartments available. Depending on your career work is not an issue, IT is the hot career. Depends on where you are moving from, with or without a car; in country or out?

December can be the coldest time of the year 60's - 70's but right now it is in the 80's! 9 - 5 is best and safest, after 5 best to stay near the pier of 3rd st.

By English time it is still possible to wear shorts and kilts most all year round but the water temp will be in the 50's, full wetsuit temps. Venice is open 365 days a year. Safe is a relative term, alone or with others? As usual "it depends".

Always

Which Hilton? We took uber pretty much everywhere when we stayed at The Beverly Hilton. Not too expensive, but this is one option. Google is a good choice too and sometimes your hotel can take you if it is within a certain mile radius. Just ask around and people will have all sorts of ideas for you.

Wherever you can find it. Sometimes there is valet.

You might be able to use the Muscle Beach Gym facilities. They probably have lockers and a shower. They're right on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. I think they have a per-day charge there.