A 26-foot shark sculpture—a statement about bombs—set off a municipal battle royale.

Ancient Egyptian wigs, South American feather headdresses, a bounty of anthropological artifacts in Oxford.

This peaceful Massachusetts graveyard was one of the first "garden-style" cemeteries in America.

"the sweltering inhabitants of Charleston and New Orleans, of Madras and Bombay and Calcutta, drink at my well . . . The pure Walden water is mingled with the sacred water of the Ganges."

Resting place of Hollywood's immortals is also site of summer film screenings.

Pay your respects to a folk-punk legend.

A modern day curiosity cabinet.

Storybook cottage in Beverly Hills was once the site of 1920s silent film studio, affectionately known as "The Witch's House."

On a quiet suburban street stands a peculiarly decorated house covered in mosaics.

This well-traveled chess park offers scenic views of the pacific and a colorful, eclectic clientele.

In a city filled with Frank Gehry buildings, one stands out as one of the architect's weirder works.

A three-story, three-dimensional hobo clown in a tutu welcomes CVS shoppers.

Santa Monica's oldest restaurant, decorated with set pieces from the Mutiny on the Bounty.

In one Santa Monica parking lot a mushroom cloud made of chains heralds a message of peace.