Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Santa Margarita - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Santa Margarita

Santa Margarita, California

Rinconada Mercury Mine

Machinery left over from California's once thriving mercury industry now attracts artists and explorers.

Santa Margarita, California

Wallace Creek

The San Andreas Fault spectacularly offsets this creek.

Santa Margarita, California

Painted Rock

The oldest pictographs on this decorated rock formation in California's Carrizo Plain date back as many as 4,000 years.

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San Luis Obispo, California

Poly Canyon - Experimental Structures Lab

A deserted hodgepodge of experimental structures designed by nearby university students.

5 miles from Santa Margarita

San Luis Obispo, California

Motel Inn

The world's first motel is now an administrative building for an apple farm.

7 miles from Santa Margarita

San Luis Obispo, California

The Bells of El Camino Real

A chain of bells connect the California Missions and honor the legend of the "King’s Highway."

7 miles from Santa Margarita

San Luis Obispo, California

San Luis Obispo's Bubblegum Alley

An alley covered with 20 years of bubble gum.

8 miles from Santa Margarita

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