A simple statue outside a California Amtrak station honors the overlooked contributions of the "silent spikes."

This cabin from the 1850s is one of the first structures built by Chinese immigrants in California.

Steinbeck's old stomping grounds, immortalized in Cannery Row.

San Francisco's first World's Fair, dedicated to the wonders of California.

A massive volcanic plug is now a protected area that hosts a number of bird species.

A small, peaceful sculpture garden with a grim memorial to a disaster that took place a few blocks away.

One of the most elaborate displays of Jellyfish is on display at the aquarium.

One of the oldest producers of hand-folded fortune cookies still uses its original secret recipe.

An alley covered with 20 years of bubble gum.

Four hundred granite steps were built into this massive rock by the National Park Service.

Once close to extinction, there is no shortage of elephant seals on the beaches of Año Nuevo State Park.

The lighthouse central to the 1980s horror classic "The Fog" is, in fact, located in one of the foggiest areas of the Pacific Coast.

An abandoned Jazz Age dream home and con man's hideout in Death Valley.

A collection of memorabilia from the Beat era in the back of a San Francisco bookstore.

Life in this isolated, hilltop lighthouse was lonely, but it sure was lovely.

The lowest point in North America is home to an undrinkable pool surrounded by fields of geometric salt flats.

This Big Sur waterfall drops 80 feet directly into the Pacific Ocean, and inspired the hillside house up top.

A "gravitational anomaly" located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California.

Relics of the 1894 Midwinter Exposition continue to delight visitors today.

The rocks in this arid basin leave trails of movement behind them.

In all of the 29 years it was in operation, no prisoners ever escaped successfully... or so they claim.

World's largest collection of serial killer artwork and other macabre exhibits.

During prohibition, corrupt city officials ran drinking dens under the streets of Downtown Los Angeles.

A classic carnival ride that was carved to be untouchable.