An early 20th-century fire lookout, still in intermittent use, preserves legacy fire-locating equipment.

How a bat poo mine became a major Native American archaeological site—and connections to legendary red-haired giants.

This small park features a monumental fountain wall, providing a great photo opportunity in the middle of Houston.

These two K-9 memorials commemorate the sister cities of Edinburgh and San Diego.

Established in 1937, the oldest candy shop in New York City boasts a rainbow-colored inventory that would make Willy Wonka envious.

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

The abandoned train depot now doubles as a well-placed rest stop for those who take the road less traveled.

Where NASA's satellites and rovers phone home.

You don't have to be a diplomat to visit the so-called Camp David of the West.

Traversing these canyons, visitors can take in stunning views and glimpses of the region's history.

Towering basalt columns, a creation of fire and ice.

This naturally heated mountainous creek has created a group of neon blue pools of potentially deadly boiling water.

This rock formation named for its unique shape is one of many that call the Alabama Hills home.

Finale of "William Tell Overture" can be heard as drivers pass over grooves in the road.

Coastal dunes, site of buried Egyptian movie set and former utopian colony.

Home to a forest of whimsical pygmy Coast live oak.

A massive volcanic plug is now a protected area that hosts a number of bird species.

This cabin from the 1850s is one of the first structures built by Chinese immigrants in California.

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

This little valley along Highway 1 is engulfed by thousands of lilies during the spring season.

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

It's not your typical library, memorial, or book store.

Offering commanding views of the California coastline, this restaurant was a hub for the artists and bohemians of Big Sur.

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