Rest & Digest at the Beach | Venice Beach Trek

About this Trek

A calming beach walk designed to help your body shift out of stress and into "rest and digest." Through gentle movement, breath, and a mindful eating experience, you'll reconnect with your nervous system and body.

This Trek follows a relaxed walking path along the Venice shoreline, where the rhythm of the ocean encourages slower breathing and a steady pace. Along the route, you'll pause for short practices including breathwork, sensory awareness, and simple nervous system regulation techniques that support digestion and reduce stress.

At the end of the walk, you'll have the option to stop at a nearby café or shop to pick up a small treat and participate in a guided mindful eating exercise. Instead of rushing through food, you'll slow down and experience taste, texture, and satisfaction in a new way.

What this Trek is good for

Choose what you want to feel before you start. The route stays the same, the practices shift with your intention.

Nature

Walking beside the ocean reconnects you with the calming rhythm of nature.

Reflection

Reflection prompts invite you to slow down and notice how your body feels.

Calm

Ocean sounds, breathwork, and mindful eating help your body shift out of stress.

Along the route

The stops where the audio guides you through a practice. In between, it goes quiet and the place does the rest.

Get directions to the start

Intro to "Rest & Digest"

You're starting beneath the iconic Venice sign, where the energy of the city meets the openness of the beach. Listen to a short introduction to this walk from Jackie.

Windward Ave

This street connects the neighborhood's lively energy with the beach's openness. It's a natural moment to pause, take a breath, and transition from the city's pace to a slower, more mindful pace for the walk ahead.

The Boardwalk Path

As you reach the boardwalk, the path opens toward the grass and beach, and the rhythm of movement begins to shift. The sounds of the ocean grow closer, and the steady pace of walking creates a natural opportunity to connect your breath with your steps.

The Sand

As the path opens onto the beach, the ground shifts from pavement to soft sand, and the sound of the ocean becomes clearer. This is a natural place to slow down. Take your shoes off, feel the sand beneath your feet, and begin connecting more deeply with the rhythm of the waves and your natural surroundings.

Ocean Rocks

From the sand, begin walking to the right toward Santa Monica, heading in the direction of the rocks along the shoreline. The open horizon and the movement of the water create a natural place to pause, breathe, and let your body settle into the ocean's calm.

Snack & Savor

As you start walking back toward the Venice sign, you'll come across nearby cafés and small shops. This is an opportunity to pause, pick up a small snack or treat, and experience a moment of mindful eating before finishing the walk.

Meet your guide

I created this walk because I believe healing doesn't always happen in a clinic or through strict health routines. Sometimes it starts with something simple, like walking, breathing, and reconnecting with your surroundings.

Jackie Hackett, MS, RDN

Functional Dietitian & Gut Health Expert

About this Trek

What this Trek is good for

Along the route

Meet your guide

Walk it this week