Somewhere between an art studio and a print shop, this artists storefront is a house of worship devoted to type.

Perched high atop telephone poles is an uncanny outdoor art gallery that greets passersby on their commute.

Founded by a high school teacher, this poetry magazine became a center for all things literary.

A sign at the end of the Santa Monica Pier marks the traditional end of the legendary American highway.

An historic and oft-filmed spot for musclebound iron pumpers on the Pacific coast.

A classically inspired temple in Redwood City.

This old-world mansion with lush gardens is a gem in the heart of Silicon Valley.

This odd California folly seems like it was almost designed to accumulate urban legends.

The only pachinko parlor in the United States.

This tiny chapel next to a highway provides weary travelers a place to rest, pray, or maybe even get married.

A psychedelic labyrinth on the San Francisco bay.

Santa Monica's oldest restaurant, decorated with set pieces from the Mutiny on the Bounty.

"The only replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3."

A classically trained chef makes beloved burritos inside a gas station.

This restaurant's marvelous musical machines include a self-playing violin.

A statue commemorate Tommie Smith and John Carlos's brave protest at the 1968 Olympics, a watershed moment for civil rights.

The largest permanent Monopoly board makes one of the longest games even bigger.

The first high-tech company in the valley that actually worked with silicon devices.

Floating man-made island and upscale restaurant.

Furniture tries to escape an abandoned building in San Francisco.

A quiet nook at the top of a little-known hilltop park named after California's first poet laureate.

This surreptitious shop is only open five hours per week.

This grinning pup statue is all that's left of what was once a ubiquitous Bay Area diner chain.

At the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, a small sign basically begs for a high-five.