One of the oldest reform schools in the United States, home to wayward boys such as Merle Haggard, now abandoned.

One of the last free public hot springs is decorated with hippie art.

Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling) themed taco shop.

Hundreds of trees made from glass bottles make up this forest on Route 66.

The "Fun Spot of the Desert" is now a haunting ruin, and a reminder that putting a water park in a desert is a bad idea.

This rare example of a "tidefall" is a spectacular drop from the cliffs down onto the beach.

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

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

One of the ghostly stops along Route 66.

California's own medieval Italian castle, authentic down to the 300-year-old iron maiden in the dungeon.

These millipedes glow not out of attraction, but as a not-too-subtle warning.

An inconspicuous footbridge beloved by San Diego locals.

The site of murders and Satanic cult gatherings.

This massive redwood tree has a hole in the base big enough to drive through.

Abandoned bridge hidden deep in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Costumed elves and mountain bikers co-exist peacefully at this abandoned Christmas-themed adventure park.

An eclectic trailer park retreat in the middle of the California desert.

Standing in a state of "arrested decay," this ghost town allows for a detailed peek into Gold Rush life in an unusually harsh climate.

A meditative space out of a fantasy story.

This abandoned Navy base was transformed into an off-grid alternative living community for thousands of people.

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

An outdoor sculpture park of giant pink robots and post-apocalyptic Christmas scenes.

Trails through lava-carved tube-caves display sparkling bacteria and a rich history.

Explore 10 acres of environmental sculptures.