Concrete strongholds stand guard over the Golden Gate.

Internationally-recognized arts center housed in a century-old former military barracks.

A store that sells all manner of bones, insects, and animal curiosities.

Where the alchemists dream of transmuting base metal into gold was actually achieved.

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

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

Cows on a ranch are commonplace, scattered cow bones everywhere? Not so much.

A sparse, solitary sequoia still stands as a living tribute to the famous conservationist who planted it—but it's dying.

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

This mountaintop beacon is only lit three times a year but shines like some kind of all-seeing eye.

This edible park is open to any and all foragers.

Private collection of art inspired by cabinets of curiosity.

This 22-acre botanical garden is home to the largest collection of rhododendrons in the world.

Race through the maze, get your name on the sign.

A unique set of caves that spits waves back out into the ocean.

During the solar phenomenon "Lahaina Noon" this bendy, curvy sculpture forms a perfectly circular shadow on the ground.

Once the site of the Hawaiian monarchy, this building was originally designed as a palace.

This unassuming cheese empire in rural Oregon churns out more than 150,000 pounds of cheese each day.

Dine amidst exotic plants at this former royal greenhouse.

This old-fashioned roadhouse's quirky neon sign is as famous as its enormous dumplings.

This beloved roadside attraction welcomes visitors with his signature neon smile.

Like a kitschy mirage in the Mojave, this eatery serves up classic 50s-style diner meals and a dinosaur sculpture garden.

This last stalwart of the now-forgotten feminist restaurant movement has been serving food in an activist atmosphere since 1977.

The only pub in the world surrounded by an ancient stone circle.