aidanrickert 22809366's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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San Francisco, California

Sweeney Observatory Site

Barely visible foundations remain where Stow Lake’s “observatory” once welcomed visitors.
Berkeley, California

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Where the alchemists dream of transmuting base metal into gold was actually achieved.
Berkeley, California

Sather Tower

The century-old bell and clock tower at UC Berkeley is the third-tallest in the world, and has fossils.
Berkeley, California

UC Berkeley's Nobel Laureate Parking Spaces

The Laureates here get something even more coveted than a Nobel Prize: free parking for life.
Berkeley, California

Free Speech Monument

This subtle Berkeley paving stone actually marks off a lawless tube of air that extends into space.
Berkeley, California

Moe's Books

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

Chamber of Secrets Door

This residential door allows San Francisco muggles a glimpse at the wizarding world.
Oakland, California

Children's Fairyland

This Oakland fairytale kingdom, fiercely devoted to childlike whimsy, was an early inspiration for Disneyland.
Alameda, California

USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum

After serving in World War II and picking up Apollo astronauts, this aircraft carrier has been turned into a museum overlooking the San Francisco Bay.
Pebble Beach, California

Lone Cypress

This lonesome Monterey cypress has survived centuries of wind, salt, and at least one attempt at arson.
Del Monte Forest, California

Ghost Trees of Pescadero Point

Haunting and beautiful trees, doomed to die.
Pescadero, California

Elephant Seals of Año Nuevo State Park

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

National Ignition Facility

Location of the most powerful laser in the world, and the potential birthplace of tiny stars.
San Francisco, California

Golden Gate Park Bison

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

Japanese Tea Garden

Relics of the 1894 Midwinter Exposition continue to delight visitors today.
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers

Carnivorous plants, medieval aphrodisiacs, and the largest original wood structure glass conservatory in the western hemisphere.
San Luis Obispo, California

Madonna Inn

A hotel and restaurant serving as the mecca of kitsch.
Solvang, California

Rundetaarn Replica

In the "Danish Capital of America," a replica of one of Copenhagen's most iconic buildings.
Port Hueneme, California

Point Mugu Missile Park

An outdoor display of military missiles developed at Point Mugu Naval Base.
Camarillo, California

Scary Dairy

Graffiti-covered ruins that were once part of a farm owned by a mental hospital.
Los Angeles, California

APEX Electronics

This stockpile of junked electronic and mechanical gadgets is a favorite among Hollywood prop masters.
Los Angeles, California

Sunken City

Remants of foundations, streets, and streetcar tracks inhabit the cliffs where a landslide occurred in 1929.
Los Angeles, California

Korean Bell of Friendship

This symbol of peace is appropriately positioned overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Hanksville, Utah

Hollow Mountain

At this gas station in the middle of the desert, a convenience store has been carved directly into the rock.