Venice Beach in Half Moon Bay California. Venice beach in northern California is a small out of the way beach situated approximately 30 miles from my home in Half Moon Bay. It is often very windy and no swimming is allowed. Other than that, it is a nice beach to hang out on on a sunny day. It has unique permanent rivers in the sand at the base of the cliffs. Average speed was 44mph, elapsed time 38mins, lenght 28.2 miles height 1000ft.