The L.A. Zoo has a secret garden of rare bootleg cycads, a palm specimen dating back 280 million years.

Golden Gate Park's historic collection of plants.

Nancy Thompson's Home from "A Nightmare on Elm Street."

Small museum packed with artifacts recovered by the man rumored to be the real-life inspiration for Indiana Jones.

A picture-perfect town, perfect for blowing up.

World's oldest operating science fiction and fantasy club, once home to Ray Bradbury and L. Ron Hubbard.

This traditional garden in the San Fernando Valley doubled for Star Fleet Academy, and is irrigated entirely by wastewater.

This star-studded Old Hollywood restaurant is where fettuccine Alfredo made its United States debut.

The "Fun Spot of the Desert" is now a haunting ruin, and a reminder that putting a water park in a desert is a bad idea.

The oldest burial ground in the city, final resting place of city founders, Ohlone natives and murderers alike.

San Franciscans leave gifts and messages for the magical beings that live behind the tiny, mysterious door installed on a tree in Golden Gate Park.

The largest permanent Monopoly board makes one of the longest games even bigger.

The remains of a ruined mansion memorialize the 1906 earthquake.

Storyville was New Orleans' historic red light district and hotbed of jazz music, sometimes referred to simply as "The District."

A Swedenborgian glass church surrounded by redwoods sits perched atop a massive landslide area.

Back in 1952, you could get a mushroom cloud chaser with your atomic cocktail.

This ultra-modern home clings to the slope of the Hollywood Hills on a precarious stilt.

In this century-old literary safehouse, print is alive and well.

Magical-looking cottages that inspired one of the most famous animated films ever.

This 19th-century church is now a popular roller rink.

This institution collects the history of burlesque dancing with a titillating collection of ephemera and pasties.

Made of giant chains and hung with shackles, this iron cross honors those unknowns who perished under American slavery.

A popular European tradition makes its way to the states on one of America's most famous bridges.

The 340-year-old house that inspired the classic Nathaniel Hawthorne novel.