The oldest continuously operating church in California.

The oldest U.S. Government building in California, and it's State Historic Landmark #1.

Fake rail crossings mark the site of an influential doctor's demise.

Two rocks in a perpetual kiss and one of "the most romantic spot in America."

The oldest lighthouse on America's west coast no longer needs keepers, yet they maintain the site anyhow.

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

Haunting and beautiful trees, doomed to die.

Before its closure in 2002, this South Dakota mine was the largest and deepest gold mine in Western Hemisphere.

Make it an offering.

Oregon's unexpected high desert, displaying layers of time in a colorful show.

A volcanic landmark located on an Ice age lake bed.

This spectacular fault escarpment, a popular hang-glider launch point, extends some 30 miles long and towers about 2,500 feet over the valley floors to the west.

A unique solar-powered pottery studio and gallery in the desert.

The sump of the landlocked Carson River is a haven for wildlife.

During its heyday, 72 one-ton buckets from this dredge bore into the Powder River excavating vast gold deposits.

The largest outdoor art gallery in the Northwest United States.

A small section of Boise, Idaho maintains the unique culture and traditions of the Basque people.

Boise State's stadium was the first non-green football field in the world.

Jail from the 19th century that was built by inmates.

These black pillars of volcanic basalt seem to call mountain climbers with an unbreakable siren song.

One of the last "timber railroads" in the United States was finally abandoned in 1957.

This hiking/biking/horse trail along an old railroad grade features trestles, tunnels, and a roadless stretch through the scenic Susan River canyon.

Constrained by time and topography, this civil engineering landmark was constructed 100 feet above Starrucca Creek over the course of a single year.

It should come as no surprise that the world's largest artichoke lies in the town that calls itself the "Artichoke Center of the World."