The world's first permanently occupied mountain-top observatory continues to report on the stars.

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."

This concrete ship has had four careers - World War I tanker, floating amusement park, fishing pier, and artificial reef.

One of the largest Marian shrines on the West Coast stands rather unexpectedly in Silicon Valley.

A giant chess set, minus the psychedelic drug trip.

It is locally loved and ridiculed for literally looking like poop.

An old-timey peepshow allows visitors to gawk at some of the world's most freakishly large footwear.

A priest with no formal artistic training used basic house paint to create gorgeous religious scenes inside this historic church.

A series of waterfalls and pools that flow through the 'Ohe'o Gulch and into the ocean.

The world's largest wooden trestle stretches across this desert canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Rodin's famous depiction of Dante's 'Inferno', amidst a sculpture garden of many of his other works.

Where religious effigies, magic soaps, and occult candles are brought to customers at wholesale prices.

The last Americana on Route 66.

This historic graveyard was partially paved over to create a streetcar line.

A magical sinkhole on the Yucatán Peninsula is adorned with mini waterfalls and hanging vines.

No telescopes, no power, no gift shop: The Observatory of Chichen Itza, one of the world's oldest observatories, takes astronomy back to basics.

Every equinox this Maya pyramid puts on a spooky ancient light show.

An off-grid art installation that encourages its visitors to imagine a world without waste.

Two groundbreaking brothers from Pasadena.

Sports history, made in the Arroyo Seco.

A chain of bells connect the California Missions and honor the legend of the "King’s Highway."

Where the rich wintered in Pasadena.

Colorado Boulevard’s historic bookstore, operating since the bustling city of Pasadena was merely some orange groves and a few ostrich farms.

One of Hollywood’s favorite government buildings.