This strangely vacant Western amusement seems to be an empty tribute to residents of Lucerne Valley.

This lesser known Hearst estate is a fairytale village built from the stolen bones of historic European buildings.

One man's love of natural beauty led to the creation of this hidden granite monument.

Abortion, prohibition, religion, war, and fear all play a part in the history of this idiosyncratic Pacifica castle.

Elephant seals and sea lions have turned the abandoned buildings on this island into their endangered love shack.

This historic California cemetery holds the bodies of veterans of both the Civil War and the Donner Party.

This Oakland fairytale kingdom, fiercely devoted to childlike whimsy, was an early inspiration for Disneyland.

An old California photo stand has been turned into a shrine to the cozy art of crochet.

Four hundred granite steps were built into this massive rock by the National Park Service.

Massive prehistoric mammals used these stones as oversized scratching posts.

An ominous concrete cube cuts a dystopian silhouette atop this California mountain.

Home to secret Eastern Bloc spy equipment and the largest stretch of the original Berlin Wall outside of Germany.

An abandoned 1920s-era stretch of cabins now overshadowed by the 66 Motel.

The only parking meter in the entire town, it is surrounded by 100 free spaces.

Burping, gurgling geothermal mud pots by the Salton Sea.

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

A stranded woman lived alone on this remote island for 18 years, inspiring the great children's novel "Island of the Blue Dolphins."

The Zalud family experienced a number of tragedies in one decade, giving rise to rumors that the 19th century house is haunted.

A remote desert lookout offers unparalleled views of the California badlands for those who brave the trek.

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

An abandoned boat that's been stranded mysteriously for decades.

A black and white painted wall creates an optical illusion in the California desert.

Hidden above a drug store on a nondescript corner of Lincoln Heights is a private clubhouse for intrepid explorers.

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