Japan's largest collection of Western-style mansions in the port city of Kobe includes a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' 221B Baker Street quarters.

The alpine falls where Sherlock Holmes apparently met his demise can actually be visited.

A natural history wunderkammer in the middle of the desert.

A working cattle ranch with remarkably well-preserved prehistoric petroglyphs and ancient ruins.

Thousands of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats soar around an abandoned storm drain at sunset each summer.

A classic Route 66 landmark that was built with scrap lumber and is held together with kitsch and puns.

Four-story concrete hotel never opened to customers.

Orr Park's dead trees have been carved into a menagerie of whimsical visages.

A stockpile of childhood lunch pails turned collectibles.

A man's home is his castle.

An underground magnet for ever-changing street art.

A white oak with property rights.

Historic funicular railway, believed to be the shortest railroad in the world.

The newsstand that never closes its doors—well, almost never.

The oldest continuously operating church in California.

This simple highway curve has become a comedic pilgrimage site.

This shop and studio is dedicated to the art of the book, from letterpress to bookbinding.

An inconspicuous footbridge beloved by San Diego locals.

At this California chicken ranch, four bucks will get you 18 eggs and a chorus of dancing animatronic poultry.

Thousands of crosses and markers for soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan blanket a California hillside.

The California capital city once stood 10 feet lower than it does today.

This 19th century train workshop is a treasure trove of railroad history.

The dramatic upward-curving roof is one of the most iconic examples of Googie architecture that still stands today.

A common entry point to the Griffith Observatory trail holds its own wonders.