1,006 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in California - Atlas Obscura
Free iron-on Atlas Obscura badge when you preorder our new kids’ book. Shop now.
What's near me?
All   /  United States   /  California
The Atlas Obscura Guide To

California

1,006 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in California

Cities

Unusual Attractions in California

Atlas Obscura Trips

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

May 2—May 5, 2019

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

Learn More

Unique Food & Drink in California

Explore California

Show More

Upcoming California Events

MotoArt.
Aug 18
Torrance, California

Aviation Creation

From desert discovery to reclaimed materials, explore MotoArt—a company that transforms decommissioned airplanes into fashionable, functional art.
The Chapel of Radiance.
Aug 19
Altadena, California

Mountain View Cemetery

Wind your way though a labyrinth of crypts and niches, a corridor with ceilings depicting scenes from the Bible, and hallways illuminated by beautiful stained glass.
Drew Lobenstein's private home in Reseda.
Aug 25
Reseda, California

Homeward Bound: Pigeon Navigation

Meet a flock of homing pigeons and explore the mystery of bird navigation with the L.A. Pigeon Club.
Aug 26
Los Angeles, California

Secret Japanese Village

Take a rare opportunity to step inside the hidden world of L.A.-based fashion designer Peter Lai, with an incredible private tour lead by the artist himself.
Selected experiences curated by Chase Sapphire®
Phantasma Gloria.
Aug 26
Los Angeles, California

Phantasma Gloria

Discover a glorious glasswork homage to the Virgin of Guadalupe, hidden in Echo Park.
Follow Your Heart.
Sep 8
Chatsworth, California

Vegan Food Factory

Discover how vegan mayonnaise is made on this exclusive factory tour of Follow Your Heart Market & Restaurant.
60-inch telescope.
Sep 15
Los Angeles, California

60-Inch Telescope

Step into the darkness for an evening of planets, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, and colorful double stars at the Mount Wilson Observatory.
Sculpture by Robin Cohen.
Sep 15
Los Angeles, California

Hollywood Hills Sculpture Garden

Located just below the Hollywood Sign is a garden filled with over 60 contemporary sculptures. Join us for an exclusive sunset stroll of this private art collection with founder and artist, Dr. Robby Gordon.
Selected experiences curated by Chase Sapphire®
Palisades and Movie Colony, Santa Monica, California.
Sep 16
Santa Monica, California

Hollywood's First Hidden Getaway

Discover Santa Monica's scandalous past during a beachfront tour of the Gold Coast.
Puppet.
Sep 23
Los Angeles, California

Puppet-Making Party

Unleash the creatures of your imagination in this magical making workshop.
Team Oddities, Meagan Meli, Ryan Cohn, and Regina Cohn,
Sep 29
Los Angeles, California

Oddities Flea Market: Exclusive VIP Presale Tickets

The legendary Oddities Market by Ryan and Regina Cohn is coming to Los Angeles!
Miradero Gates.
Sep 30
Glendale, California

The Strange Life of Glendale's First Family

Dive into the history of this eccentric Edwardian estate.

California Leaderboard

Recent California Activity

Sunny Camarena wants to go to The Old Place Restaurant
michaelwoodruff99 wants to go to The Dore Vase
michaelwoodruff99 wants to go to Internet Archive Headquarters
michaelwoodruff99 wants to go to San Francisco's Peregrine Falcons
michaelwoodruff99 wants to go to McElroy Octagon House

Stories About California

Dumbo!

Inside an Incredible Collection of Objects From Disneyland's Past

From Dumbo to the Haunted Mansion, and much much more.
by Sarah Laskow
August 10, 2018

How a California Landfill Became a Landmark

Getting historical recognition for a dump can be a messy process.
by Andy Wright
July 27, 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