Marta Becket's hand-painted theater in the desert.

The tragedy of the Japanese internment camps is remembered here by a stark "Soul Consoling Tower."

Contemporary art inspired by natural history and science drawing on ancient techniques in a modern world.

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

A volcanic tunnel illuminated by natural skylights offers a shaded respite from the desert sun.

A desert ghost town—occupied for only 12 years—was once home to more than 500 silver mines.

This traditional garden in the San Fernando Valley doubled for Star Fleet Academy, and is irrigated entirely by wastewater.

A former utopian healing center created by a huckster and built by derelicts.

Located on 420 acres in the high desert, this spiritual center is dedicated to the "science of the future."

An unreal vintage shop that wears its dadaist influence on its zombie fish.

One of the last free public hot springs is decorated with hippie art.

This concrete tangle of square pipes has stood as a proud thorn in the city's side since the '70s.

This shop and studio is dedicated to the art of the book, from letterpress to bookbinding.

Stroll the grounds built by murder, suicide, and dirty oil money at one of Hollywood's most filmed mansions.

Standing in a state of "arrested decay," this ghost town allows for a detailed peek into Gold Rush life in an unusually harsh climate.

A modern mechanical planetary system, part of a 10,000 year clock.

Towering basalt columns, a creation of fire and ice.

This weird abode has inspired everything from the "House On Haunted Hil" to a robot hunter's pad.

A huge musical instrument played by the ocean.

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

Golden Gate Park's historic collection of plants.

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

A hidden subterranean installation offers a view of the sky.

One poet's handmade, anachronistic home.