Hike amid the palm trees that thrive among Southern California's Indio Hills.

Since World War II people have been decorating this stretch of the Yuma desert with signatures arranged out of rocks.

Like a kitschy mirage in the Mojave, this eatery serves up classic 50s-style diner meals and a dinosaur sculpture garden.

A restored 1920s cascade stairway provides one of the best views of Oakland's Lake Merritt.

This diner's a kitschy dreamland for anyone whose heart is stuck in the 1980s.

Thousands of migrating monarchs overwinter clustered amongst the eucalyptus trees.

Perhaps the most unique of any Frank Gehry design for one simple reason: Gehry himself actually lives here.

The most beautiful Taco Bell in the world even has surfboard parking.

An Old West film set seen in countless TV shows and movies is open for the public to explore.

An abandoned car and strange wooden debris are among the scattered remains of the old sand and gravel quarry.

This enormous World War II relic is one of the largest wooden structures in the world.

Its dark depths conceal millions of rare, delicate crystal formations.

This “living museum” at UCLA exhibits thousands of plant species from all over the world.

One of the best absinthe distilleries in the United States.

This sun-scorched lakebed contains samples of half the natural elements known to humankind.

Machinery left over from California's once thriving mercury industry now attracts artists and explorers.

A charming desert roadside bakery that produces 10 times more bread daily than it has residents in its town.

A watering hole where the options for seating include a bar, patio, or subterranean cave.

International delicatessen has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 110 years.

This residential door allows San Francisco muggles a glimpse at the wizarding world.

The cluster of boulders near Fort Irwin is covered in military insignia.

The California capital city once stood 10 feet lower than it does today.

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

Former 1954 Del Mar Train Station now serves signature cocktails and delightful culinary treats, and still operates as a Metro stop.