ashearer1's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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San Francisco, California

Tobin House

Half of a house.
San Francisco, California

McElroy Octagon House

One of few lasting examples of the brief octagon craze that developed into folly.
San Francisco, California

Bourn Mansion

A brooding mansion of clinker brick stands out among the Victorian houses of Pacific Heights.
San Francisco, California

Spreckels Mansion

27-room home built with the fortune of a sugar magnate.
San Francisco, California

Lotta's Fountain

San Francisco's oldest surviving monument and meeting place for 1906 survivors.
San Francisco, California

Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room

A library built during San Francisco's pioneer times is a student's retreat, bibliophile's sanctuary, and chess player's delight.
San Francisco, California

Maltese Falcon Alleyway

Alleyway plaque commemorating the death of a fictional character in The Maltese Falcon, not far from the author's home.
San Francisco, California

450 Sutter Street

Nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s bustling Financial District stands a unique homage to the Mayan and Beaux Arts.
San Francisco, California

Westin St. Francis Hotel

Only hotel where you can legally launder money.
San Francisco, California

Birthplace of Isadora Duncan

Home of modern dancer famously strangled by her own scarf.
Castroville, California

World's Largest Artichoke Statue

It should come as no surprise that the world's largest artichoke lies in the town that calls itself the "Artichoke Center of the World."
Aptos, California

SS Palo Alto

This concrete ship has had four careers - World War I tanker, floating amusement park, fishing pier, and artificial reef.
Santa Cruz, California

Court of Mysteries

A strange house built only at night, with rumored mystic inspiration.
Berkeley, California

Sather Tower

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

Free Speech Monument

This subtle Berkeley paving stone actually marks off a lawless tube of air that extends into space.
San Francisco, California

Treasure Island Naval History Mural

An enormous artwork that colorfully celebrates over 150 years of US military achievements.
Los Gatos, California

The Submarine House

Subterranean house made out of a grain silo, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Los Gatos, California

The Cats

A pair of pure white felines guard the entrance to a spot of California real estate established as an artist's haven.
Palo Alto, California

Birthplace of Silicon Valley

A humble garage, world-famous for being the epicenter of a technology revolution.
San Jose, California

Santana Row Chess Plaza

A giant chess set, minus the psychedelic drug trip.
California City, California

California City: The Unbuilt Suburb

The "3rd largest" city in California is an empty mirage of suburbia in the middle of nowhere.
Johannesburg, California

Randsburg

The liveliest ghost town in the state.
Coalinga, California

Iron Zoo

A dwindling menagerie of anthropomorphic oil derrick animals still dot the barren California landscape.
Lancaster, California

Civic Musical Road

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