1,037 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in California - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in California

San Francisco, California

The Wave Organ

A huge musical instrument played by the ocean.

Added by mbison

Los Angeles, California

Underground Tunnels of Los Angeles

During prohibition, corrupt city officials ran drinking dens under the streets of Downtown Los Angeles.

Rachel

Added by Rachel

San Jose, California

The Winchester Mystery House

A peculiar mansion built by the troubled heir to the Winchester gun fortune.

Added by mbison

San Francisco, California

Secret Tiled Staircase

An artsy hidden staircase leads to breathtaking views of San Francisco.

rebeccaclara

Added by rebeccaclara

Los Angeles, California

The Echo Park Time Travel Mart

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

anhie

Los Angeles, California

The Museum of Death

World's largest collection of serial killer artwork and other macabre exhibits.

Genki

San Francisco, California

Seward Street Slides

Bring your own cardboard to the slippery slopes of concrete hidden in a neighborhood park.

Annetta Black

Added by Annetta Black

San Francisco, California

Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze

A psychedelic labyrinth on the San Francisco bay.

GuttersnipeRebecca

Added by GuttersnipeRebecca

See All 1,037 Things to Do in California See All 1,037 Places

Atlas Obscura Trips

Dark Skies, Desert Beasts: A Night Photography Workshop in Borrego Springs, California

May 7—May 10, 2019

Journey deep into the desert of Southern California to explore and photograph the Dark Sky Sculptural Oasis of Borrego Springs.

Unique
Food & Drink
in California

It's It

Gastro Obscura

It's It

This classic San Franciscan ice cream sandwich is it, isn't it?

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

Palm Springs Date Shakes

Gastro Obscura

Palm Springs Date Shakes

The prosperous Southern California date industry produces delicious milkshakes.

Gastro Obscura

Added by Sam OBrien

Funeral Potatoes

Gastro Obscura

Ritual & Medicinal

Funeral Potatoes

A casserole of cheesy, corn flake–topped tubers offers comfort to Mormons in mourning.

Gastro Obscura

Added by Sam OBrien

The Zombie

Gastro Obscura

The Zombie

Donn Beach only wrote the recipe for his famously potent cocktail in secret code.

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

See all 14 things to try in California See all 14 things to try in California

Explore California

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Drew Lobenstein's private home in Reseda.