This Big Sur waterfall drops 80 feet directly into the Pacific Ocean, and inspired the hillside house up top.

Historic funicular railway, believed to be the shortest railroad in the world.

Towering basalt columns, a creation of fire and ice.

The rocks in this arid basin leave trails of movement behind them.

Shop selling 500 flavors of soda has something for everyone.

This iconic L.A. bookshop is housed in an abandoned bank—both symbolic and chic.

Non-profit time travel mart sells goods you would need for a trip through the fourth dimension.

A miniature train theme park, free to the public, laying at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains.

This large chunk of dark rock is a relic from an ancient volcanic eruption.

A multiversal transit station located right below a highway interchange.

An unusual waterfall in the Santa Rosa Range, within the Great Basin of Nevada.

The beauty and the beast of hydraulic mining is on full display at this California Historic State Park.

On the edge of this small Washington Park, a piece of the Earth's mantle has come to the surface.

Although it also features red, orange, and variegated cliffs of Navajo Sandstone, this state park is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor.

This sandstone building is a relic of the Overland Trail.

Inspiration struck on this seat outside the Griffith Park merry-go-round.

An ill-fated attempt to grow wheat in the sagebrush steppe of northeastern Nevada.

An attractive alpine lake at 8,400 feet that is accessible via a paved road.

This concert pavilion on the shore of the Great Salt Lake has been destroyed by fire, water, and disinterest but keeps coming back.

This massive crater in the middle of nowhere was used to train astronauts for moon landings.

The eerie ruins of an isolated abandoned town nicknamed "the Widowmaker" for its deadly gold mine.

A gothic palace of endless stalagmites and pseudoscorpions waits within one of the world's most beautiful caves.

In the middle of an extremely unforgiving and desolate high desert is the most secret military facility in the world.

An eccentric millionaire's personal curio collection includes at least one shrunken head.