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

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

This mosaic dedicated to John Lennon was tended for years by a Beatles super-fan.

Dyed by iron oxide over centuries, these sandstone rocks rise thousands of feet into the sky.

The longest living non-clonal organisms on Earth.

A Swedenborgian glass church surrounded by redwoods sits perched atop a massive landslide area.

Magical-looking cottages that inspired one of the most famous animated films ever.

After starting as a whimsical tourist attraction that eventually found its way to ruin, these renovated canals offer a lush and exotic locale on the Pacific Coast.

Stripes of flowers bloom each spring in a 50 acre rainbow of color.

Historic funicular railway, believed to be the shortest railroad in the world.

Less a museum than a bizarre fantasy world created by artists and engineers.

See massive fossils that are over 200 million years old in northeastern Arizona.

Aqueducts have dramatically changed this old lake, now home to tufa towers and its very own species of tiny brine shrimp.

Giant, natural amphitheaters made of delicate geological formations called "hoodoos."

Quite simply the largest tree in the world (by volume).

Scores of vintage street lamps shine along L.A.’s Miracle Mile.

These delicate buggers are some of the rarest fossils that have bubbled up from the Tar Pits.

Each year these high desert hills are absolutely covered with poppy flowers in a surreal show of nature.

World-famous, Pink's still manages to keep its prized cult fetish status.

Ninety feet off the valley floor is an ancient dwelling put under protection of the U.S. government by Teddy Roosevelt.

This frequently-photographed waterfall takes only a short hike to visit.

The private clubhouse for the members of the Academy of Magical Arts.

A beautiful geyser under environmental threat.

The first declared National Monument in the United States.