A musical instrument played by the sea.

A chain of 16 wondrous lakes formed as a result of the gradual dissolution of soluble layers of bedrock.

A church that bred legends, and served as an inspiration for the Da Vinci Code.

Ruined 11th century abbey built by King David I in Edinburgh, Scotland.

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

A hotel and restaurant serving as the mecca of kitsch.

Millions of years of oxidation make a drive down this winding Death Valley road surprisingly colorful.

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

"Only the devil could play golf here."

Ten 25-foot-tall, beehive-shaped kilns, abandoned in Death Valley.

The ghost town that ended up on Ebay.

This dormant volcanic crater has been converted from a roiling pit of magma to a pleasant hiking spot.

A sculpture of the famous photograph stands on San Diego's "Greatest Generation Walk."

A herd of 150 bison live on California's Santa Catalina Island and are at the heart of an ongoing debate between environmental protection and economic expansion.

Each year these high desert hills are absolutely covered with poppy flowers in a surreal show of nature.

The hidden jewel of Disneyland: a members only playground for the Disney elite.

A Swedenborgian glass church surrounded by redwoods sits perched atop a massive landslide area.

A second generation sun-powered marvel lights up the night.

A Looff creation in Santa Monica best described as “a California-Byzantine-Moorish-style fantasy.”

A treasure hunter's tiny bar, harboring celebrities since 1959.

In one Santa Monica parking lot a mushroom cloud made of chains heralds a message of peace.

An historic and oft-filmed spot for musclebound iron pumpers on the Pacific coast.

Legendary prop shop filled with one man's collection of scientific curiosities.

A three-story, three-dimensional hobo clown in a tutu welcomes CVS shoppers.