Aj R's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Austin, Texas

Congress Bridge Bats

Home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, estimated at 1.5 million bats.
Wimberley, Texas

Jacob's Well

A popular swimming hole that hides one of America's most deadly diving spots.
Palomar Mountain, California

Palomar Observatory

A world-class observatory in the California desert.
San Diego, California

1895 Looff Carousel

One of the few remaining carousels built by master amusement park carver Charles I.D. Looff.
Julian, California

Eagle and High Peak Mine

Where there's quartz, there must be gold. Thus is the story of the mines of Julian, and the titillating times of the Gold Rush.
Silverado, California

Black Star Canyon

The site of murders and Satanic cult gatherings.
San Juan Capistrano, California

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Oldest building in California still in use.
Los Angeles, California

Korean Bell of Friendship

This symbol of peace is appropriately positioned overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Newport Beach, California

California's Coconut Palm

One of the only known surviving coconut palm trees in the entire state.
Anaheim, California

Brookhurst Community Park

A surreal, Gaudi-inspired play space near an Anaheim community center.
Garden Grove, California

Christ Cathedral (Crystal Cathedral)

Megachurch turned Catholic church comprised of 10,000 glass panes.
Long Beach, California

Astronaut Islands

These four islands right offshore have waterfalls, colorful lights, fancy buildings, and a secret purpose.
Long Beach, California

The RMS Queen Mary

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.
Tecopa, California

China Ranch Date Farm

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

Ivanpah Solar Power Facility

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

Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden

Nevada's largest cactus collection stands outside a candy mogul's small factory.
Las Vegas, Nevada

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Dyed by iron oxide over centuries, these sandstone rocks rise thousands of feet into the sky.
Boulder City, Nevada

Winged Figures of the Republic

A Norwegian-born sculptor created these soaring guardian angels at the entrance to Hoover Dam.
Beatty, Nevada

Albert Szukalski's Last Supper

Twelve plaster figures inspired by da Vinci's famed painting haunt the desert landscape above a real-life ghost town.
Goodsprings, Nevada

Pioneer Saloon

The wild west is still alive and well at this authentic mining town watering hole.
Las Vegas, Nevada

Burlesque Hall of Fame

This institution collects the history of burlesque dancing with a titillating collection of ephemera and pasties.
Clark County, Nevada

Valley of Fire

The drama of nature in full effect in this Nevada State Park.
Beatty, Nevada

Rhyolite Ghost Town

Odd outsider art installations surround a Gold Rush-era ghost town.
Las Vegas, Nevada

Pinball Hall of Fame

This incredible collection of vintage pinball machines can be played at 25 cents a pop.