A black and white painted wall creates an optical illusion in the California desert.

Nose around a unique collection of more than 300 natural aromas used to craft perfume fragrances.

This beautiful ridge-top trail is dotted by tiny homes apparently built by a group of itinerant fairies.

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

The now-abandoned tunnels were built for the transcontinental railroad on the route where the first wagon train entered California.

Sunset-colored dunes of volcanic ash make taking a poor photo impossible.

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

Successful artist residence program has filled this ranch with dozens of sculptures over the years.

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

A shape-shifting buy-sell-trade bookstore, born to Beatnik Era spirit.

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

Nuclear waste dump site now an environmental sanctuary.

From the sky, a kaleidoscope of color brightens the grey landscape of the San Francisco Bay.

A hidden world of exotic succulents and cacti.

The remains of the first punk club in L.A.

An eccentric folk art landmark made out of discarded bottles by an inspired "grandma."

Life in this isolated, hilltop lighthouse was lonely, but it sure was lovely.

A hard-to-reach oasis in a desolate corner of Death Valley National Park.

9,000 square feet of vintage and modern mechanical toys, dioramas & sideshow curiosities.

An offbeat angle on the ocean viewed through an antiquated lens.

This concrete tangle of square pipes has stood as a proud thorn in the city's side since the '70s.

A nursery specializing in strange and beautiful succulents and cacti.

A desert ghost town—occupied for only 12 years—was once home to more than 500 silver mines.

Spiral labyrinth hidden in the hills above Oakland, CA.