Venice vibe under threat: Seaside LA enclave known for bohemian style is at risk from 'gentrification on steroids'

Venice Beach is where Arnold Schwarzenegger toned his muscles, the Dogtown skateboarders launched a lasting movement and Jim Morrison conceived The Doors. The Dude lived here in .

For decades, Venice has been the epicentre of weird, a beachy paradise with a gothic twist, where carnival freaks, homeless hippies, yoga instructors and fanny-packed tourists blend into a milieu as colourful as its famous three-story murals.

But now, thanks to real estate speculators and a tech boom featuring the likes of Google and Snapchat, Venice's mellow charm is under siege.

"There are a lot of shenanigans going on to hyper-gentrify this area, almost make it a beachfront resort," said Laddie Williams, a third-generation Venice resident. "They are killing our community."

As skyrocketing real estate prices push long-time residents out of this seaside district of Los Angeles, corporate chains are replacing funky shops, and tech geeks are emerging as a dominant part of the scene. Meanwhile, the area's already robust homeless population is rising, leading to controversial police crackdowns.

Similar trends are transforming much of coastal California. But in bohemian Venice, the shake-up has been particularly upsetting, especially since the arrival of Snapchat, the internet messaging giant that has set up its office in the neighbourhood.