A Buddhist retreat built on more than 100 acres of California Redwood forest.

A hidden gem, named after a San Franciscan icon, offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

After the nearby mercury mine shut down, this town was abandoned and declared a Superfund site.

Beneath the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge is the “Gibraltar of the West Coast,” a fort built to protect the San Francisco Bay from naval attack.

This lonesome Monterey cypress has survived centuries of wind, salt, and at least one attempt at arson.

Visit a remnant California's Gold Rush, which locals claim is haunted by spirits from the past.

Enormous crabs, bioluminescent jellies, and other amazing creatures from the ocean’s depths—some of which are in an aquarium for the first time ever.

It is locally loved and ridiculed for literally looking like poop.

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

The headquarters of the semiconductor giant has a 10,000-square-foot museum.

Three plaques mark the spot where the "forgotten father of broadcasting" worked.

Historical trolley restoration and operation at History San Jose, Kelly Park.

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

One of the best absinthe distilleries in the United States.

Playable, historic pinball machines fill this Alameda museum.

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

A trash dump made beautiful by nature's power.

The oldest continuously operating church in California.

The stately birthplace of California's statehood.

This municipal playground was co-created by the father of one of the most playful characters ever.

The first safe in this California town had to hold all the gold.

The oldest U.S. Government building in California, and it's State Historic Landmark #1.

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.

One of the most elaborate displays of Jellyfish is on display at the aquarium.