An expansive and intricately restored mansion remains from over a century ago--and so do its ghosts.

The first AIDS memorial chapel in San Francisco and one of only a few in the U.S.

"Prepare yourself! You are to become the voice of Interplanetary Parliament."

This sun-scorched lakebed contains samples of half the natural elements known to humankind.

Hidden among the multi-million dollar mansions in the Santa Cruz hills is a sanctuary for troubled birds.

This temple, built by an eccentric religious leader before his death, sits guarded and in ruins.

Where religious effigies, magic soaps, and occult candles are brought to customers at wholesale prices.

Home to secret Eastern Bloc spy equipment and the largest stretch of the original Berlin Wall outside of Germany.

A sudden forest of traditional Papua New Guinean art works is hidden in a corner of Stanford University.

Reverend Franzo Wayne King administers spiritual enlightenment through the music of the jazz legend.

A free, public museum dedicated to the fascinating science of sight.

Historic house-museum dedicated to the revolutionary gay graphic artist Tom of Finland.

The largest Star Wars collection in the world is its own galaxy of collectibles.

This museum boasts the ninth-largest collection of insects in North America.

There are lots of hands and feet stamped in the cement in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, but Mel left behind something extra.

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

Happy harbor seals frolic and snooze on this warm, sandy stretch of coast.

Room 32 of the Alta Cienega Motel has grown into a shrine to the Lizard King.

A temple devoted to inner esoteric mysteries located in a California commercial strip.

The awe-inspiring ship from the golden era of cruising has an incomparable history and a reputation as one of the world’s most haunted places.

Every year, over 25,000 monarchs overwinter in Pacific Grove.

Abandoned Air Force base that has fallen into disrepair.

The headquarters of a secretive order is also a beautifully-designed park.

A glittering South Asian anomaly in a wealthy Los Angeles suburb.