No, these aren't images from a strange dream. It's what's awaiting you on a daytime walk down Venice's notorious Ocean Front Walk (a.k.a. the Boardwalk). With its gorgeous setting, ever-present sunshine, and motley assortment of locals and those just passing on through, it's no wonder that Venice Beach is the number-one tourist destination in Los Angeles. Whether you love it, hate it, or feel mystified by it, a walk down the Venice Boardwalk is sure to be a unique experience, no matter how old you are.

Within minutes of stepping out on the Boardwalk, all your senses will be working double time to accommodate the overload of sensory stimulation. You'll feel the warmth of the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair. Pause for a moment to inhale the potent blend of seaspray and surfwax, patchouli and cigarettes, hotdogs and chili-cheese fries. You'll hear the sound of skate wheels, bike tires, and sneakers on pavement; the persistent and often-amusing calls of vendors hawking their wares; the cacophony of percussion from the beachside drum circle; and the ever-present buzz of the tattoo needle. Taste the salt in the air, savor the sugary sweetness as cotton candy melts in your mouth, then pucker up at the sour taste of sun-brewed lemonade. Witness the kaleidoscope of activity, the blur of bodies moving back and forth along this palm-tree lined stretch of pavement at varying speeds. In the background, the vast beach stretches into a glittering expanse of ocean. Maybe the Santa Ana winds are blowing; if they are, you'll be treated to a crystal-clear day, the outline of the Santa Monica mountains will silhouette neatly against the blue sky, and Santa Catalina island will shine like a jewel in the distance.

But aside from simply gawking, what does one do in Venice Beach? Among the many possibilities are having your palm read by a fortune teller, getting a massage at a boardwalk-side booth, surfing the waves, fishing on the pier, roller skating, in-line skating, biking, getting a tattoo or piercing, watching a street performance, shopping at incense shops and vintage clothing stores, eating at sidewalk cafes, working out at Muscle Beach, playing basketball or paddle tennis, participating in a drum circle, watching the sunset, swimming in the ocean, building a sandcastle, or people watching--to name but a few things to do.

In Venice, the swaying palm trees, sun-splashed Pacific, funky architecture, and numerous shops and vendors will vie for your attention, but it's the people you'll see that just might steal the show. In his theme song, Mr. Rogers used to ask, "Who are the people in your neighborhood?" In Venice, they certainly aren't the people that you meet each day. Take Tony, for example, who earns his living each day on the Boardwalk swallowing fire, telling jokes, and balancing a chair on his chin--with a person sitting in it. Or Harry Perry, who wears white robes and a turban, and plays the electric guitar while he skates along the Boardwalk.

If you're hungry, there are plenty of places to go for cheap eats. The outdoor Sidewalk Café is probably Venice's most renowned eating stop. It boasts the best location on the Boardwalk for people watching and has a large menu with enough selections to satisfy everyone in the family. There are also several stands, from Jodi Maroni's hotdogs to Big Daddy's quintessential Boardwalk fare.

Venice is also home to some interesting architectural feats and outdoor artwork. Who can miss the Ballerina Clown, the campy totem of Venice, at the corner of Rose and Main streets? There's also the Chiat-Day building, which is shaped just like a pair of binoculars (on Main near the intersection of Rose). Scattered all throughout the small city of Venice, you'll also see the murals painted by resident artist, R. Cronk, including "Venice Reconstituted," which features a roller-skating, leg-warmer wearing Venus emerged from the half shell (on Speedway at Windward Avenue). Also, there's Cronk's self-portrait on the side of the Beachhouse (Ocean Front Walk), and the larger-than-life Jim Morrison (on Speedway near 18th Avenue).

For quieter moments, head away from the Boardwalk to the canals, the brainchild of a man named Abbot Kinney whose vision of this beachside town was to model it after its namesake in Italy. A few of the original canals remain, and provide a nice oasis from the hubbub on the Boardwalk. Along the canals, you'll find some stunning homes and landscaping, as well as a very vocal population of ducks. If you are visiting in the spring, you might even be able to take a gander at some newly hatched ducklings.

Enjoy your time at Venice Beach, and remember to take a lot of pictures. Sure, those saccharine sunsets from your last vacation look pretty, but once you visit Venice Beach, you'll know that the photo opportunities you encounter there can't be found anywhere else on Earth.•