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

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

A hotel and restaurant serving as the mecca of kitsch.

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

Relics of the 1894 Midwinter Exposition continue to delight visitors today.

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

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

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

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

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

Haunting and beautiful trees, doomed to die.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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