Giant Redwood-themed cafeteria operates under the golden rule, "Dine Free Unless Delighted."

This iconic L.A. bookshop is housed in an abandoned bank—both symbolic and chic.

Crypt mausoleum in cathedral's basement contains relics of third century Roman martyr, Saint Vibiana.

Historic funicular railway, believed to be the shortest railroad in the world.

The legendary building that needed ghostly approval before being built.

Shop for books in the New Orleans house where William Faulkner once lived.

Stroll the grounds built by murder, suicide, and dirty oil money at one of Hollywood's most filmed mansions.

An Italian restaurant became a rock-and-roll hangout and the lair of the "Hollywood vampires."

Ingenious bakery opens up the first Cupcake ATM at their flagship location in Beverly Hills.

The dramatic upward-curving roof is one of the most iconic examples of Googie architecture that still stands today.

An historic and oft-filmed spot for musclebound iron pumpers on the Pacific coast.

A second generation sun-powered marvel lights up the night.

A sign at the end of the Santa Monica Pier marks the traditional end of the legendary American highway.

World War II-era Nazi compound nestled in the Santa Monica hills.

A free library to stumble across, one of many placed worldwide if you know where to look.

Only through deep darkness and tragedy did this elaborate royal palace become a sacred temple.

The tangled roots of a giant banyan tree have fully reclaimed the ruins of this abandoned warehouse.

One man's hand-sculpted collection of colorful masks representing a host of gruesome spirits.

Enormous pendulum helps keep Taiwan's tallest building from swaying.

Paiwanese restaurant run by native indigenous Taiwanese singer songwriter, and home to a DIY arts-and-crafts folk garden.

A small alleyway lined with locally drawn scenes of nostalgic anime and cartoon characters.

A collection of more than 12,000 shoes, displayed in a building shaped like a shoebox.

A 98-room castle in the middle of Toronto that bankrupted a 19th century electricity multimillionaire.

Canada's largest dinosaur skeleton was hidden away in storage for more than 40 years.