Gouged in the mountain to make stage coach access easier through the Fremont Pass.

“It's the quality” (but probably also the drive-through donut tunnel) that has attracted diners since 1968.

An unexpected and peaceful oasis on a hillside.

The restored estate of a wealthy rancher was once at the heart of an unprecedented legal victory.

This former stomping grounds of the most eminent astronomers of the early 20th century.

The final resting place of one of Hollywood’s most prolific and talented actors is on the grounds of a California Mission.

A relic from a forgotten bakery chain still spins atop a diner.

Come crisp December nights, this fairly plain neighborhood becomes a holiday dream world.

Gorgeous purple flowers drape from the world's largest blossoming plant.

Arcadia is home to a haven for nature geeks and 80s TV lovers alike.

Every weekend, the parking lot of this Buddhist temple turns into a Thai street-food paradise.

The diverse and sometimes odd cultural heritage of the Golden State is collected, examined, and displayed in this proud museum.

This magnificent mausoleum is as much a work of art as it is a historic resting place.

This quirky UFO-shaped curiosity is often mistaken for the airport’s control tower.

"The Star Factory" cranked out Hollywood stars like nobody's business.

The simple auditorium that launched a pop icon's career into the stratosphere.

Where the rich wintered in Pasadena.

A repository of Pasadena history.

Some of the most unusual (and in some cases, disgusting) flavors of soda imaginable.

This "synagogue" is not what it seems to be.

The neighborhood of Eagle Rock is named after a gigantic boulder with a shadowy surprise.

Scores of vintage street lamps shine along L.A.’s Miracle Mile.

The famous blue house from the classic horror film "Halloween" is now a local landmark.

Giant Redwood-themed cafeteria operates under the golden rule, "Dine Free Unless Delighted."