There is an easy route right along the coast from Venice to Redondo Beach going west of the airport, and then back on Highway 1. When we rode through there we hit some construction and had to veer into the city a little, but not a big deal.

You might want to invest in the book: Bicycling the Pacific Coast by Kirkendell. While a little dated, it is a good reference, and helpful getting through the larger cities on the south coast.

P.S. Raybo, I was composing when you posted. We are probably talking about the same route. Really fast and pretty interesting from a people watching perspective.