These ominous lava formations were said to be an entrance to the netherworld so of course they inspired a famous metal band.

A stratovolcano located in the south of Iceland, with a long history of charted activity and a rich mythology attached.

This modern monument to pagan belief looks like it was transported straight from ancient times.

Climb right into the heart of this colorful Iceland volcano.

One of the most remarkable caves in all of Iceland was created by a once raging river of lava.

This eye-popping Icelandic crater lake is surrounded by red volcanic rock.

This fantastical waterfall is hidden in a cave located in a cracked cliff.

This Oakland fairytale kingdom, fiercely devoted to childlike whimsy, was an early inspiration for Disneyland.

A working model of the entire San Francisco Bay and much of the Sacramento River Delta, complete with regular tides that change every 14 minutes.

Julia Morgan's Moorish-Gothic labyrinth of fountains, trees, natural light and Oakland's notable dead.

A living time capsule of the 1960s Richardson Bay water-front.

Oakland's beautiful monumental cemetery.

An abandoned, unfinished mansion on grounds strewn with lava rocks.

Social saloon from a scrapped trans-Pacific 19th century steamer.

Once the gateway to the utopian dream-village of a Civil War embalmer.

Discover for yourself what Herb Caen referred to as "the best kept secret in the Bay Area."

Where the alchemists dream of transmuting base metal into gold was actually achieved.

This infamous prison has a store where you can buy goods crafted by incarcerated people.

A B&B on a Victorian lighthouse station in San Francisco Bay.

A popular tourist cave with a dark past.

Built by the inventor of the radio, this abandoned hotel has housed early radio employees, military men, and a dangerous cult.

A historic hotel in an old California railroad town with a rowdy reputation.

Where the polar bear watches over everything, and every drink is a double.

Over 300 taxidermied animals in a Californian restaurant make for a taxidermist's dream and an animal lover's nightmare.