The striking jade death mask of an ancient Maya king is displayed in a replica tomb in Mexico City.

The turquoise-studded skull of a long-dead Aztec man sits within Mexico City’s Museum of Anthropology.

Centuries of crashing waves carved out this small hole in the rock, which lights up at certain parts of the year.

Here, visitors can swing with the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

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

This concrete ship has had four careers - World War I tanker, floating amusement park, fishing pier, and artificial reef.

San Franciscans leave gifts and messages for the magical beings that live behind the tiny, mysterious door installed on a tree in Golden Gate Park.

San Francisco's urban bison herd has persisted in the face of extinction, development, and disease.

Housed in a memorial lighthouse, this museum relays the history of surfing, beginning with the antics of royal Hawaiian teenagers.

The key to turning shifting dunes into the green oasis of Golden Gate Park.

The one-time watch house for incoming ships at the Golden Gate now stands abandoned and hidden in trees.

A winding path built in secret on the edge of the continent.

A 1920s speakeasy that had rum runners racing up and down the shores of California.

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

This strange sculpture of a menacing skull surrounded by sun rays was discovered at the foot of the Pyramid of the Sun.

These spectacular, symbolic serpents lie within the shadow of the Great Temple.

This colossal ancient sculpture of the monstrous Aztec rain god has a literally stormy history.

An extensive collection of reliquaries containing the bones of saints housed in the largest Catholic church in Venice.

A silly medieval mural preserved on the side of a Viennese house.

This star-studded Old Hollywood restaurant is where fettuccine Alfredo made its United States debut.

This opulent hotel has been visited by Spider-Man, Charlie's Angels, and the Ghostbusters.

The beautiful 1920 Pantages Theatre remains hidden just underneath the LA Downtown Jewelry Exchange.

The most complete statue of this Aztec god sits a top a throne carved with images of hallucinogenic plants.

This colossal ancient jaguar sculpture was used as a vessel for the hearts torn from sacrificial victims.