Life in this isolated, hilltop lighthouse was lonely, but it sure was lovely.

The southernmost outpost of the Russian Empire in colonial America.

One poet's handmade, anachronistic home.

Haunting and beautiful trees, doomed to die.

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.

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

Two rocks in a perpetual kiss and one of "the most romantic spot in America."

It should come as no surprise that the world's largest artichoke lies in the town that calls itself the "Artichoke Center of the World."

This 19th century train workshop is a treasure trove of railroad history.

California's own majestic geyser is powered by a subterranean volcano.

California's own medieval Italian castle, authentic down to the 300-year-old iron maiden in the dungeon.

The largest drain hole in the world.

This concrete ship has had four careers - World War I tanker, floating amusement park, fishing pier, and artificial reef.

Housed in a memorial lighthouse, this museum relays the history of surfing, beginning with the antics of royal Hawaiian teenagers.

A strange house built only at night, with rumored mystic inspiration.

A "gravitational anomaly" located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California.

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

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

A New England-style lighthouse along California's beautiful Highway 1 gets a re-do.

A pair of pure white felines guard the entrance to a spot of California real estate established as an artist's haven.

The headquarters of a secretive order is also a beautifully-designed park.