A plaque outside the San Jose airport commemorates the insect's arrival to the West Coast.

One of the largest Marian shrines on the West Coast stands rather unexpectedly in Silicon Valley.

This 14th-century temple is also known as the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" for its gorgeous gilded reliquary hall.

An enormous pair of straw sandals woven in the traditional way—to keep demons at bay.

This Buddhist temple is home to the graves of the Japanese national legends, the 47 Ronin.

A magical place that lets you play in and explore the world of Studio Ghibli.

This pagoda was once the central feature of a Buddhist temple that no longer exists.

This Hawaiian cattle ranch acts as a museum devoted to the island cowboys that predate the wild west.

More than 2,000 species of tropical plants call this nature preserve and sanctuary home.

This unusual lava tube spouts seawater during high surf.

This blowhole is supposedly caused by a trapped monster.

Climbing this abandoned railway leads to breathtaking vistas of O‘ahu.

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

The only royal palace on U.S. soil has been a territorial capitol, a military headquarters, and a prison for a queen.

A Hawaiian stairway to heaven—that you can't climb.

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

These red and black houses were awarded to the firefighters who saved their city from an enormous blaze.

This community-driven organization uses education and eco-friendly technology to protect the environment.

Legend tells how a Spanish soldier disappeared from this isolated sentry box without a trace.

A magnificent waterfall nestled in the heart of the El Yunque National Forest.

This bleach-white graveyard overlooking the ocean is accessed through a tunnel.

An enchanting natural wonder in Puerto Rico's Camuy River Park.

This former sugarcane transport tunnel is now a portal to a lovely beach.

This chapel on a cliff is renowned for its healing powers and was founded on the site of a supposed divine intervention.