This crumbling Death Valley mining complex was known for its use of giant, 20-mule team wagons.

A stranded woman lived alone on this remote island for 18 years, inspiring the great children's novel "Island of the Blue Dolphins."

A remote crossroads honoring a fallen talent.

Hiding amid the largest camellia collection in the country lies a charming children's maze, donated by a secret admirer.

Concrete strongholds stand guard over the Golden Gate.

L. Frank Baum wrote part of the "Wizard of Oz" series in this wooden Victorian beach resort.

A massive volcanic plug is now a protected area that hosts a number of bird species.

This giant temperature attraction created some giant electric bills.

The beauty and the beast of hydraulic mining is on full display at this California Historic State Park.

This quirky UFO-shaped curiosity is often mistaken for the airport’s control tower.

This enormous World War II relic is one of the largest wooden structures in the world.

A herd of 150 bison live on California's Santa Catalina Island and are at the heart of an ongoing debate between environmental protection and economic expansion.

The first life claimed by this record-breaking peak wasn't lost to exposure or a fall, but rather lightning.

The long, arduous journey of the stones of the Abbey of New Clairvaux.

The former Naval shipyard is open for exploring - mostly.

The space-age building is home to one of the few remaining rotating restaurants in America, and the only one that inspired a 1980s sitcom.

A watering hole where the options for seating include a bar, patio, or subterranean cave.

Outposts of this restaurant chain were shaped like jaunty chapeaus.

Once America’s most beautiful army base, this abandoned military fort on the coast of Monterey Bay has been left to the elements.

The Empire Mine is "one of the oldest, largest, deepest, longest and richest gold mines in California."

Oldest building in California still in use.

This dormant volcanic crater has been converted from a roiling pit of magma to a pleasant hiking spot.

Abandoned Air Force base that has fallen into disrepair.

A "haunted" landmark on the coast of Southern California.