Carnivorous plants, medieval aphrodisiacs, and the largest original wood structure glass conservatory in the western hemisphere.

A favorite haunt of dinosaur loving children and hallucinogen loving hippies alike.

A 300-ship graveyard, with a few still visible at low tide.

Under the shadow of its towering parent tree, a rare specimen of sequoia produces ghostly white leaves.

The seawater playground of gilded-era San Francisco burned to the ground in 1966.

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

An artsy hidden staircase leads to breathtaking views of San Francisco.

This partially buried wreck is one of the most complete of its kind but is only revealed when the sea allows.

A life-sized mammoth sculpture marks the spot where the remains of a Columbian mammoth were discovered in 2005.

At night, this glittering musical tunnel draws skaters and photographers.

Tenacious mummies survived dental problems, eternal entombment, and more than their fair share of devastating fires.

It is locally loved and ridiculed for literally looking like poop.

A large instrument played by the wind.

An extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts and mummies.

A gathering of green robots at the Googleplex.

From the Difference Engine to the Cray-1, all under one roof.

Home to the "Circus" trees created by Axel Erlandson.

A hidden world of exotic succulents and cacti.

Rodin's famous depiction of Dante's 'Inferno', amidst a sculpture garden of many of his other works.

The world's most famous donkey lives in this pen.

A sudden forest of traditional Papua New Guinean art works is hidden in a corner of Stanford University.

Hidden among the multi-million dollar mansions in the Santa Cruz hills is a sanctuary for troubled birds.

A classically inspired temple in Redwood City.

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