An amazing collection of fantastic reptiles, amphibians, spiders, and insects.

This print shop boasts one of the largest pinball arcades in San Francisco.

The awe-inspiring ship from the golden era of cruising has an incomparable history and a reputation as one of the world’s most haunted places.

This residential door allows San Francisco muggles a glimpse at the wizarding world.

A private home built to resemble the shape of a microscopic creature.

This infamous prison has a store where you can buy goods crafted by incarcerated people.

This Oakland fairytale kingdom, fiercely devoted to childlike whimsy, was an early inspiration for Disneyland.

“It's the quality” (but probably also the drive-through donut tunnel) that has attracted diners since 1968.

An "anarchical" no man's land, complete with garbage sculptures and a hobo-run "Landfillian Library."

The grand, column-fronted, sculpture-adorned home of the ambitious digital library.

An L.A. traffic island where the faces of locals have been carved into massive granite eggs.

Secret US military film studio in the Hollywood Hills.

This “living museum” at UCLA exhibits thousands of plant species from all over the world.

Join the circus for a few lessons to learn clowning, acrobatics, and Chinese contortion.

Because there's no place like home.

Get up close to emus and ostriches, or buy their tasty meat.

360-degree virtual reality chamber physically immerses scientists into their data.

First LEED-certified gas station in the United States.

An eccentric folk art landmark made out of discarded bottles by an inspired "grandma."

The graffiti-covered remnants of a former triangulation station are balanced precariously on this California peak.

A hidden world of exotic succulents and cacti.

Fonts are born and bred here at the oldest letterpress type foundry in the United States.

Millions of years of oxidation make a drive down this winding Death Valley road surprisingly colorful.

Playable, historic pinball machines fill this Alameda museum.