The oldest U.S. Government building in California, and it's State Historic Landmark #1.

Steinbeck's old stomping grounds, immortalized in Cannery Row.

A decommissioned Naval base now rents itself out for people who want to blow stuff up.

The first safe in this California town had to hold all the gold.

A massive volcanic plug is now a protected area that hosts a number of bird species.

Internationally-recognized arts center housed in a century-old former military barracks.

The century-old bell and clock tower at UC Berkeley is the third-tallest in the world, and has fossils.

A living time capsule of the 1960s Richardson Bay water-front.

A local dialect born in the late 19th century is only spoken in this isolated California valley.

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

It should come as no surprise that the world's largest artichoke lies in the town that calls itself the "Artichoke Center of the World."

This mountaintop beacon is only lit three times a year but shines like some kind of all-seeing eye.

Concrete strongholds stand guard over the Golden Gate.

A charming desert roadside bakery that produces 10 times more bread daily than it has residents in its town.

A tree grown from astronaut seeds which were exposed to cosmic rays.

One of the largest free-standing structures ever built, this dirigible hangar is now simply a giant skeleton.

This historic California cemetery holds the bodies of veterans of both the Civil War and the Donner Party.

This former stomping grounds of the most eminent astronomers of the early 20th century.

The Empire Mine is "one of the oldest, largest, deepest, longest and richest gold mines in California."

A classically inspired temple in Redwood City.

The former Naval shipyard is open for exploring - mostly.

Oldest building in California still in use.

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

One woman's Viking Castle on Lake Tahoe.