Venice and Hunington are two different experiences. HB is Moondoggie meets The Hills, its young and "beachy" with some nice little places to eat and shop. A simple pier and nice little beach. It's California in a "nice" way.
Venice on the other hand is Haight Ashbury meets Hollywood. It is eccletic, odd and well very odd. I enjoy this beach to walk the boardwalk and people watch. They have some funky shops, lots of head shops and tattoo shops. It is fun for people who have seen it on the movies because so much is reconizeable and there is lots going on. BUT not everyone likes it and the walk to the ocean is LONG. There is a lot of sand between you and the water. To be honest we rarely go in the water at this beach since its not my favorite swim beach.
Depending on the experience you want would depend on the beach I would send you to. I think based on closeness I would say HB is your best bet (or Newport), but if you want to mix in your Hollywood and people watch I would go further to Venice.
