1,022 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in California - Atlas Obscura
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The Atlas Obscura Guide To

California

1,022 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in California

Cities

Unusual Attractions in California

Atlas Obscura Trips

Death Valley After Dark: Astronomy and Photography in the Backcountry

Dec 5—Dec 9, 2018

In the otherworldly landscapes of Death Valley, practice your night photography skills under some of the world's clearest, starriest skies.

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Unique Food & Drink in California

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Upcoming California Events

Ravenmaster book cover.
Oct 17
Los Angeles, California

The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London

History, adventures, and tales of intrigue from the Ravenmaster of the Tower of London.
Oct 20
Sylmar, California

Flashlight Tour of Pioneer Memorial Cemetery

Join us as we take a nighttime stroll around the mysterious and macabre Pioneer Memorial Cemetery.
A lush section of the river.
Oct 21
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles River Adventure

Hop from Frogtown to Mallard Mound.
The garden is a steep labyrinth where surprise waits around every corner.
Oct 21
Los Angeles, California

Hollywood Hills Sculpture Garden

Located just below the Hollywood Sign is a garden filled with contemporary sculptures. Join us for an exclusive sunset stroll of this private art collection with founder and artist, Dr. Robby Gordon.
Join Atlas Obscura's co-founder and creative director for a night of wonder.
Oct 23
Corte Madera, California

An Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid

Don't miss this rare chance to meet Atlas Obscura's co-founder Dylan Thuras.
Sleeping Beauty's castle, in Disneyland. Anaheim, CA
Oct 24
Anaheim, California

The Secret Life of Disneyland

Discover the hidden world inside the Magic Kingdom.
Philosophical Research Society headquarters, exterior.
Oct 25
Los Angeles, California

Wisdom Literature and Esoterica at the Philosophical Research Society

Visit a repository of everything you're not supposed to know.
Join Atlas Obscura's co-founder and creative director for a night of wonder.
Oct 26
Los Angeles, California

An Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid

Don't miss this rare chance to meet Atlas Obscura's co-founder Dylan Thuras.
Old Mission Plaza Church.
Oct 28
Los Angeles, California

The Lost and Long-Gone Graveyards of Los Angeles

Join writer and field agent Hadley Meares as we tour the sites of Los Angeles' forgotten burial grounds.
The Gamble House.
Nov 3
Pasadena, California

Extraordinary Estates

Explore two eccentric homes on 'Millionaire's Row' in Pasadena: The Gamble House and Fenyes Mansion.
Beekeeper Marvin Jordana.
Nov 4
Los Angeles, California

Urban Beekeeping 101

Suit up and learn the basics of beekeeping with urban backyard beekeeper, Marvin Jordana, at Elysian Valley Community Garden.
Selected experiences curated by Chase Sapphire®
The USS Iowa
Nov
9 - 10
Los Angeles, California

Bunk Up On the Battleship Iowa

Join us in Los Angeles for an exclusive overnight aboard the historic USS Iowa. Gathering on the permanently docked ship in the late afternoon, we'll experience an evening of exclusive tours, mess hall meals, and a good night's sleep aboard the celebrated vessel.
Selected experiences curated by Chase Sapphire®

California Leaderboard

Recent California Activity

SpookyLou13 wants to go to Dearly Departed Museum
SCFUNZINE SCFUNZINE wants to go to Avenue of the Giants
SCFUNZINE SCFUNZINE wants to go to Glass Beach
SCFUNZINE SCFUNZINE wants to go to Sea Ranch Chapel
SpookyLou13 wants to go to Marilyn Monroe's Grave

Stories About California

On the perimeter of Slab City.

What It Takes to Build an Anarchist Desert Town

Slab City might be the "last free place," but that freedom requires work.
by Sarah Laskow
October 17, 2018
Pavel Tveretinov (left) and Vitaliy Yeroshenko of California were arrested in 2017 after law enforcement officials found thousands of beehives, worth nearly one million dollars, some stolen from orchards hundreds of miles apart.

California’s Almond Harvest Has Created a Golden Opportunity for Bee Thieves

Hives have never been more valuable.
by Byard Duncan
October 10, 2018
Staffers sift through the California Academy of Science's fossil collection.

We're Hardly Using Any of Our Fossils

The vast majority are languishing in museum storage. Is it time to dig them up all over again?
by Cara Giaimo
September 26, 2018
Four donkeys pose beneath a striking sky at Peaceful Valley's San Angelo ranch.

The Donkey Refuge Where Burros Become Coyote-Kicking Livestock Guardians

With the right training, feral donkeys go from zero to hero.
by Abbey Perreault
September 25, 2018

Lists Featuring California

19 Unusual Hotels in California
Look familiar?
The ivy covered hotel.
Hotel Vertigo
Mid Eastern-themed billiards room

19 Unusual Hotels in California

Remarkable places to stay—or at least visit—in the Golden State.

19

Including The Ahwahnee Hotel, Venice Beach House, and Hotel Vertigo

A Linguistics Lover's Tour of the World
Original letter of Abraham, the son of Maimonides found in the Cairo genizah.
A sculpture of the Tower of Babel, by Alan Baughman, from the Introductory Room of the Museum of the Alphabet
Boontling word of the week in the tap room of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

A Linguistics Lover’s Tour of the World

12 places to marvel at the history of human language.

12

Including The Cairo Genizah , The Museum of the Alphabet , and Boontling Language of Boonville