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

This little valley along Highway 1 is engulfed by thousands of lilies during the spring season.

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

The unbelievably opulent home built for an infamous newspaperman.

A trash dump made beautiful by nature's power.

This iconic L.A. bookshop is housed in an abandoned bank—both symbolic and chic.

The legendary building that needed ghostly approval before being built.

Historic funicular railway, believed to be the shortest railroad in the world.

A faux European lane smack dab in downtown L.A.

California's oldest existing theater building hosted an impressive cast of celebrities, including hosting Mark Twain's first lecture.

This fully intact Neoclassical-Greek Revival style firehouse operated until 1938.

San Francisco's oldest surviving monument and meeting place for 1906 survivors.

The last remaining relic of San Francisco's glittering 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition.

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

Canyon walls shrouded in ferns.

One of the most scenic stretches of road in America winds between some of the country's oldest trees.

Thousands of migrating monarchs overwinter clustered amongst the eucalyptus trees.

Get up close to emus and ostriches, or buy their tasty meat.

Two mammoth statues inspired by equally tall tales lure tourists to this roadside attraction.

The abandoned personal amusement park of the King of Pop.

A hotel and restaurant serving as the mecca of kitsch.