Oddities

23 Places

Guadalupe, California

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes

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

anhie

Solvang, California

Solvang Wind Harp

California's oldest wind harp represents a historic piece of America's Danish history.

Added by rachelskytt

Camarillo, California

Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology

Over one million bird-related artifacts await.

Added by lastpearl

Pope Valley, California

Litto's Hubcap Ranch

Wheels of chrome by the thousands adorn this California Historical Landmark.

leiris

Added by leiris

Healdsburg, California

Hand Fan Museum

This collection of hand fans doubles as a history of femininity.

Added by dhill3030

Calistoga, California

Sharpsteen Museum

A veteran Disney animator turned his gift for storytelling to a museum devoted to his love of a California city.

Added by Martin

Santa Rosa, California

Cyclisk - Santa Rosa Monument

340 bicycles, 65 feet high.

serflac

Added by serflac

Sonoma, California

Location of the Microsoft Windows XP Default Wallpaper

The unedited photograph called "Bliss" has graced the screens of over a billion computers.

Michael Inscoe

Added by Michael Inscoe

Marshall, California

The Marconi Conference Center

Built by the inventor of the radio, this abandoned hotel has housed early radio employees, military men, and a dangerous cult.

Boonville, California

Boontling Language of Boonville

A local dialect born in the late 19th century is only spoken in this isolated California valley.

Added by hj2fowler

Carlsbad, California

Craftsmanship Museum

This large collection of tiny things revels in the art of fine machinery well made.

Josh

San Diego, California

San Diego Museum of Us

An extraordinarily ornate museum in San Diego holds wondrous anthropological treasures.

Rachel

Added by Rachel

San Diego, California

Zoro Garden

Swarms of butterflies cannot compare to the awe inspired by the publicly-funded nakedness once displayed in this sunken garden.

Added by zackofalltrades

El Cajon, California

Unarius Academy of Science

Educational foundation that teaches the powers of fourth dimensional physical properties.

Added by zenduck

Ocotillo, California

Coyote's Flying Saucer Retrievals and Repairs

A UFO scrapyard in the California desert.

lewblank

Added by lewblank

Tucson, Arizona

Valley of the Moon

The Magical World of George Phar Legler.

Added by Nachtwulf

Felicity, California

Felicity, California: Center of the World

Semi-recognized center of the world, with many oddities.

leiris

Added by leiris

Winterhaven, California

Valley of the Names

Since World War II people have been decorating this stretch of the Yuma desert with signatures arranged out of rocks.

kcmick

Added by kcmick

Tucson, Arizona

Garden of Gethsemane

Religious statues built because of one man's bargain with God fill this peaceful sculpture garden.

Mom0ja

Added by Mom0ja

Tucson, Arizona

Mat Bevel's Museum of Kinetic Art & Surrealistic Pop Science Theater

A Tucson museum and performance space full of found-object movable sculptures.

Added by pschaper

Tucson, Arizona

Cherrybell Stravenue

A rare wayfinding portmanteau of “Street” and “Avenue.”

Elliot Carter

Added by Elliot Carter

Mission Viejo, California

Oso Creek Fairy Trail

This beautiful ridge-top trail is dotted by tiny homes apparently built by a group of itinerant fairies.

Added by Salamandre

Los Angeles, California

Velveteria

The art and history of the velvet painting are on full display in this Los Angeles museum.

littlebrumble

Added by littlebrumble