A sparse, solitary sequoia still stands as a living tribute to the famous conservationist who planted it—but it's dying.

Thousands of turbines whir at at the origin of North American wind power.

Centuries of crashing waves carved out this small hole in the rock, which lights up at certain parts of the year.

Where the alchemists dream of transmuting base metal into gold was actually achieved.

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

Concrete strongholds stand guard over the Golden Gate.

One of the most elaborate displays of Jellyfish is on display at the aquarium.

A giant chess set, minus the psychedelic drug trip.

This stretch of beach along California's central coast is a busy highway for the largest seal in the northern hemisphere.

Home to the "Circus" trees created by Axel Erlandson.

Golden Gate Park's historic collection of plants.

Life in this isolated, hilltop lighthouse was lonely, but it sure was lovely.

The unbelievably opulent home built for an infamous newspaperman.

The lowest point in North America is home to an undrinkable pool surrounded by fields of geometric salt flats.

This Big Sur waterfall drops 80 feet directly into the Pacific Ocean, and inspired the hillside house up top.

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

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

The century-old bell and clock tower at UC Berkeley is the third-tallest in the world, and has fossils.

A shape-shifting buy-sell-trade bookstore, born to Beatnik Era spirit.

Spanish architects used seized Muslim gravestones to rebuild parts of the fortress.

The most famous location in China was home to whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers.

Nine limestone rock stacks on Australia's "Shipwreck Coast."

The largest known Ancient Egyptian obelisk.

Known as the Sistine Chapel of Egypt, this tomb houses some of the most well-preserved paintings in Egypt.