The colorful sign in big, block, capital letters hangs across Pacific and Windward Avenues in the midst of this busy beach town. Lots of visitors like to take selfies with the sign "suspended" over their heads and the golden California sunset in the background. While you're here you can stroll down the boardwalk. It's kind of hard to find parking but if you don't mind walking a bit, you can sometimes squeeze in a compact on a residential street.

Painted in six colors bands of bright colors this lifeguard tower is easily spotted on the ecru sands of Venice Beach. It was originally meant as a very temporary makeover as the tower was scheduled to be painted back to its sky-blue color to match the other lifeguard towers along the beach. However, petitions and community support helped to keep this rainbow in place.

Muralist Rip Cronk painted this giant mural of the Doors' singer. Jim Morrison, who is a more fable than reality due to his untimely death, is captured perfectly on this alley wall, down to his slouchy come-hither pose, soul-searching gaze, and svelt abs and pecs.

This handful of short canals are what remain of a much grander system of canals once part of the "Venice of America" tourist resort built by Abbot Kinney in 1905. Still, the canals and walkways offer a lovely spot for random wandering, house-ogling, and photo-snapping.

Though the original Muscle Beach is in Santa Monica, Venice Muscle Beach has been a world-renowned bodybuilding mecca since 1951. Hardbody admirers, don't be ashamed to steal a glimpse at the hunks pumping iron in the outdoor weight pen. We suspect that they don't mind the attention.

This Austrian-born bodybuilder needs no introduction, but many young'uns might not recognize his visage. The realistic full-body portrait of "The Governator" by artist Jonas Never is taken from his winning pose at the 1975 Mr. Olympia international contest. This is the event that changed his path from bodybuilder to movie star.

Just off the famed Venice boardwalk is a safe haven for graffiti artists. Sanctioned by the city and curated by In Creative Unity, walls and structures are specifically designated for outdoor artists to create their colorful contemporary pieces. Don't assume you can just grab a can of spray paint and go - any would-be artist must apply for a permit beforehand. Other than the cost of a few minutes of your time, the permit is free of charge.

Get your fortune told for $5, peruse handicrafts made by street artisans, finally commit to that tattoo you've been talking about, glimpse the dudes pumping iron at Muscle Beach, people watch to your heart's content. It's all in a day's fun at the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

It's only fitting that the birthplace of modern skateboarding should have a kickass skate park--and indeed it does. A full 16,000 sq feet, this park's got two bowls, a snake run, plus a street section with steps, rails, and platforms.

What was once a junkie slum house is now a magnificent artists' den inhabited by all manner of creative types. Sculptures of gargoyles, pagan deities, and the like grace the exterior in order keep the bad juju at bay.