This controversial depiction of the "Founder of California" looks as though it was sculpted from mashed potatoes.

A burnt orange monolithic dome structure perched on a hillside near Interstate 280.

The rusting remains of the largest assembled WWII fleet on the West Coast.

Nursery with extensive collection of flesh-eating plants operated by the author of "The Savage Garden."

Monumental sculptures of Patrick Amiot, constructed from debris, detritus, and determination.

San Francisco's urban bison herd has persisted in the face of extinction, development, and disease.

An elaborate gift from Claus Spreckels is now a piece of San Francisco history.

Golden Gate Park's historic collection of plants.

The last remaining relic of San Francisco's glittering 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition.

Only hotel where you can legally launder money.

The world's first permanently occupied mountain-top observatory continues to report on the stars.

This 252 step staircase offers stunning views of San Jose.

The rest of him lived another 61 years and was buried elsewhere.

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

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.

This small monument to the great inventor contains a time capsule and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

One of the largest free-standing structures ever built, this dirigible hangar is now simply a giant skeleton.

A giant chess set, minus the psychedelic drug trip.

A peculiar mansion built by the troubled heir to the Winchester Rifle Company fortune.

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

The oldest house in the capital of Silicon Valley.

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