Dolphins, ancient clams and hundreds of waterfalls make this one of the world's top tourist destinations.

Tubing through a cave lit with glowworms is a magical underground experience.

A relic of the region's once booming timber industry.

Unusual white sandstone formations in the Los Padres National Forest.

A volcanic cone that formed over 600 years ago.

Beneath the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge is the “Gibraltar of the West Coast,” a fort built to protect the San Francisco Bay from naval attack.

Colorful sedimentary rock layers provide opportunities both for hiking and photography.

Home to a forest of whimsical pygmy Coast live oak.

Remnants of the United States's largest accidental oil spill still mar a California valley.

The disdain for this dysfunctional dam is reflected in a giant pair of scissors painted on the concrete face.

In one of the hottest parts of the Mojave Desert, shallow bedrock forces the typically dry Mojave River to the surface in this canyon, providing a vital oasis for humans and wildlife.

A futuristic-looking beach house built for the owner of a snack food brand.

This secluded date farm can be reached only by following a bumpy, single-lane desert road.

The world’s largest concentrated solar plant generates as many problems as megawatts.

Gouged in the mountain to make stage coach access easier through the Fremont Pass.

The echoes of a railroad town that solemnly mark the end of the line.

Monumental sculptures of Patrick Amiot, constructed from debris, detritus, and determination.

Built for an exposition in 1915, these horticultural displays have stood the test of time.

This unique graffiti art from the 1940s has become a staple of this local landscape in the remote California desert.

A remote crossroads honoring a fallen talent.

Everything you always wanted to know about borates is here.

The neighborhood of Eagle Rock is named after a gigantic boulder with a shadowy surprise.

Concrete strongholds stand guard over the Golden Gate.

This restaurant features Native American foods from across the country.