The oldest lighthouse on America's west coast no longer needs keepers, yet they maintain the site anyhow.

This stretch of beach along California's central coast is a busy highway for the largest seal in the northern hemisphere.

It should come as no surprise that the world's largest artichoke lies in the town that calls itself the "Artichoke Center of the World."

Once America’s most beautiful army base, this abandoned military fort on the coast of Monterey Bay has been left to the elements.

An alley covered with 20 years of bubble gum.

A tree grown from astronaut seeds which were exposed to cosmic rays.

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

Where the writer penned his famous story about a jumping frog.

Haunting and beautiful trees, doomed to die.

Happy harbor seals frolic and snooze on this warm, sandy stretch of coast.

Once close to extinction, there is no shortage of elephant seals on the beaches of Año Nuevo State Park.

A collection of 20th-century automata, penny arcade games, and musical contraptions.

A trash dump made beautiful by nature's power.

The stately birthplace of California's statehood.

Fake rail crossings mark the site of an influential doctor's demise.

This old-world mansion with lush gardens is a gem in the heart of Silicon Valley.

An old whaling station now serves to give the public a look at the commercial whaling industry, no longer a part of Monterey's economy.

Each summer, the migratory bats living beneath the bypass form "batnadoes" at dusk.

Eat a tasty meal in the house where John Steinbeck was born.

Special tunnels built so that frogs won't be killed when crossing the highway.

A chain of bells connect the California Missions and honor the legend of the "King’s Highway."

Seven ceramic sculptures are scattered around this California college campus.

Housed in a memorial lighthouse, this museum relays the history of surfing, beginning with the antics of royal Hawaiian teenagers.

Chevron maintains one “Standard” brand station per state so it doesn’t lose the trademark.