California's own majestic geyser is powered by a subterranean volcano.

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

A desert ghost town—occupied for only 12 years—was once home to more than 500 silver mines.

Not merely a museum – but a whirring powerhouse that offers a subterranean peek into the heart and soul of cable car operations.

One of the most unusual geological features, recognizable from a dozen hit movies.

The unbelievably opulent home built for an infamous newspaperman.

Standing in a state of "arrested decay," this ghost town allows for a detailed peek into Gold Rush life in an unusually harsh climate.

Aqueducts have dramatically changed this old lake, now home to tufa towers and its very own species of tiny brine shrimp.

These delicate buggers are some of the rarest fossils that have bubbled up from the Tar Pits.

Staircase winds down the side of Telegraph Hill through gardens, wild parrots flying overhead.

Quite simply the largest tree in the world (by volume).

A "gravitational anomaly" located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California.

Hollywood's most famous landmark, the "temporary" sign that has stood for decades longer than intended.

Towering basalt columns, a creation of fire and ice.

In all of the 29 years it was in operation, no prisoners ever escaped successfully... or so they claim.

This impressive working clock made of 16,000 plants changes its flowers twice a year.

This whimsical fountain pays tribute to Toronto's four-legged friends.

A monument to the 17,000 Chinese who worked and died to build Canada's Pacific Railway.

Niagara Falls holds a special place in Nikola Tesla's history, so they put a statue on it.

This Niagara Falls tourist trap is a world bright with neon and curiosities that will inspire love, hate, or a mixture of both.

Giant origami sculptures tucked into desert scenery beckon passers-by to explore further.

A wealth of pop culture statuary and green chile dishes give this roadside restaurant clout.

The marker offers a rare chance to be in four U.S. states at once, though there's some controversy over its geographic accuracy.

Her final resting place was intended to be modest and private, but the power of her popularity continues to draw visitors.