The precious-metals strikes dating back to the 1860s are now mostly inactive, but this area has become the United States' only domestic source of lithium.

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

At the western edge of Palm Springs, a rugged desert canyon trail leads to a waterfall at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains.

A collection of anti-communist sculptures stands watch in the Mojave Desert.

A unique collection of old miners' cave homes carved in to the hillside cliffs near Death Valley.

The second-largest giant sequoia in the world.

The Route 66 institution that inspired Taco Bell also served as an important headquarters for Mexican-American social movements.

The helicopter that "Tricky Dick" absconded from the White House in on his last day in office.

Allegedly haunted by Walt Disney himself, this inconspicuous lamp is always kept lit in his honor.

Beneath the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge is the “Gibraltar of the West Coast,” a fort built to protect the San Francisco Bay from naval attack.

A blast of nostalgia awaits visitors to this miniature indoor raceway.

The so-called "Father of Las Vegas" had the city's first telephone installed in his office in 1907.

A monument to the one-armed geologist who led the first documented expeditions through the Grand Canyon.

This small interfaith chapel lies not far from the rim of the Grand Canyon.

Once the site of the Hawaiian monarchy, this building was originally designed as a palace.

A glass display case holds the document that ended the Second World War—which one person signed on the wrong line.

The only royal palace on U.S. soil has been a territorial capitol, a military headquarters, and a prison for a queen.

The Hollywood home of Kermit the Frog and Yoda used to be Charlie Chaplin's film studio.

Colorful sedimentary rock layers provide opportunities both for hiking and photography.

An unexpected sinkhole in a desert flat within Gold Butte National Monument.

Harder layers in colorful sandstone weather out as prominent “fins" and even more intricate and bizarre shapes.

Built at the turn of the 20th century, using bricks made and fired from clay found on the property.

Irontown was founded in 1868, as a second attempt to mine iron from the nearby Iron Mountain.

Opened in 1911, this small shop is the oldest ongoing establishment in St. George.