One of only five observatories in the world built to measure the Earth's wobble.

One of the largest Buddhist communities in the West sits on the site of an old hospital.

Think you have a tough job? Try carrying 200 kilos through a cloud of sulfur down the side of a volcano.

California's own majestic geyser is powered by a subterranean volcano.

The fossilized remains of ancient California redwoods.

A celebration of once forgotten materials.

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

San Francisco's newly reopened hands-on science museum.

Playable, historic pinball machines fill this Alameda museum.

A porcelain company's former dumping ground, completely covered in pieces of collectible ceramics.

An "anarchical" no man's land, complete with garbage sculptures and a hobo-run "Landfillian Library."

A pier that used to act as a busy ferry dock is now a decaying favorite of local fisherman and urban artists.

Travelers exchange letters with woodland creatures at this mini post office.

A 90-acre park on former landfill that hosts an annual kite festival.

A playground built by the kids that is a child's wonderland, and a helicopter parent's nightmare.

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

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

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

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

Worker-owned cooperative and resource for those looking to lighten their ecological footprint.

A storybook European village in Berkeley.

Every Sunday, this Thai temple in Berkeley serves a backyard brunch.

Check out a shovel along with your Shakespeare.