The oldest lighthouse on America's west coast no longer needs keepers, yet they maintain the site anyhow.

Every year, over 25,000 monarchs overwinter in Pacific Grove.

This cabin from the 1850s is one of the first structures built by Chinese immigrants in California.

A charming easy-to-miss sculpture garden filled with whimsical and thought-provoking metal sculptures.

Smooth basaltic rocks tell a tale of ancient glacial waterfalls.

This giant temperature attraction created some giant electric bills.

Along a California highway is a kind of Jurassic Park made of metal.

A world-class observatory in the California desert.

Megachurch turned Catholic church comprised of 10,000 glass panes.

An unexpected and peaceful oasis on a hillside.

Version of the French Riviera destroyed by the sea.

A fake town founded by Western movie stars is now becoming a hip desert community.

The world’s largest concentrated solar plant generates as many problems as megawatts.

Some of the Old West's most notorious outlaws frequented this mining town.

Once called the Jersey Lilly, this former saloon was the domain of infamous Judge Roy Bean.

The second-largest cave chamber in the world was discovered in 1898 by a 16-year-old and a friend known as "Pothead."

Minimalist modern art on a repurposed military base in rural Texas.

Texas's oldest bakery serves authentic German pastries, including legendary strudel.

Ancient church constructed with a special wood that preserves prints from the past.

A peaceful, unique botanical garden complete with waterfalls, mini islands, and swans.

This general store is stocked with memorabilia from the 1930s onward—almost none of it for sale.

This Buddhist temple is home to a number of towering statues spread over a peaceful wooded park.

Visit these gentle, bell-bottomed, exquisite equines at the home of North America's first Gypsy Vanner horses.

This home is decked out like a psychedelic explosion of colors and bowling balls.