The sea once considered an ecological wasteland is now called "crown jewel of avian biodiversity" by scientists.

Once thought to be the oldest living tree in the world, Methuselah was germinated before the Egyptian pyramids were built.

The world's largest wooden trestle stretches across this desert canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

A house built from trash known as the poor man's Hearst Castle.

The wild west is still alive and well at this authentic mining town watering hole.

Twelve plaster figures inspired by da Vinci's famed painting haunt the desert landscape above a real-life ghost town.

An abandoned Jazz Age dream home and con man's hideout in Death Valley.

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

Water of undetermined depth has attracted rare fish and cult leaders alike.

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

A hard-to-reach oasis in a desolate corner of Death Valley National Park.

Marta Becket's hand-painted theater in the desert.

Millions of years of oxidation make a drive down this winding Death Valley road surprisingly colorful.

In the middle of the desert, miles from any human life, sat an anomalous pay phone that still magically answers your calls.

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

Giant nude woman of Tijuana is also the artist's home.

Tijuana's legendary jai alai or "basque ball" palace is now a massive music venue.

World's largest collection devoted to one fruit.

The largest dune field in the Mojave offers a chance of hearing the 'singing sands.'

The ghost town that ended up on Ebay.

This dormant volcanic crater has been converted from a roiling pit of magma to a pleasant hiking spot.

A museum dedicated to a sea that should have never been.

Finally the worlds of UFO enthusiasts and beef jerky lovers have come together in this roadside shop.

A monument to a one-legged kidnapper, horse thief, and charlatan asks visitors to throw rocks in a pile.