San Francisco, California
Portals of the Past
The remains of a ruined mansion memorialize the 1906 earthquake.
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Places I've been
Places this traveler has marked as been there.
San Francisco, California
Golden Gate Park Bison
San Francisco's urban bison herd has persisted in the face of extinction, development, and disease.
San Francisco, California
Alcatraz Island
In all of the 29 years it was in operation, no prisoners ever escaped successfully... or so they claim.
Permanently Closed
San Francisco, California
Labyrinth at Land’s End
A winding path built in secret on the edge of the continent.
San Francisco, California
Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze
A psychedelic labyrinth on the San Francisco bay.
San Francisco, California
Secret Tiled Staircase
An artsy hidden staircase leads to breathtaking views of San Francisco.
Los Angeles, California
The Tonga Hut
Though tiki culture has gone in and out of fashion, the Tonga Hut has always been flying the flag in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, California
Brady Bunch Home
The exterior of this home was used for the hit television show, The Brady Bunch.
Los Angeles, California
Hieroglyph Murals at the Egyptian Theatre
The decor of this Hollywood movie palace just barely predated the opening of King Tut's tomb.
Los Angeles, California
Capitol Records Building Morse Code
The blinking light atop the iconic landmark has been sending secret messages for decades.
Los Angeles, California
Muscle Beach
An historic and oft-filmed spot for musclebound iron pumpers on the Pacific coast.
Los Angeles, California
Mel Brooks Handprint
There are lots of hands and feet stamped in the cement in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, but Mel left behind something extra.
Los Angeles, California
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Hollywood's oldest hotel is the site of the first Academy Awards, the birthplace of Marilyn Monroe's career, and the home of Montgomery Clift's ghost.
Los Angeles, California
Hollywood Heritage Museum
A little barn in the middle of the city preserving Hollywood treasures since 1985.
Los Angeles, California
The Music Box Steps
The site of a classic series of Laurel and Hardy pratfalls.
Los Angeles, California
Box Canyon
The quiet canyon has a tumultuous history involving a doomsday cult.
Los Angeles, California
Snow White Cottages
Magical-looking cottages that inspired one of the most famous animated films ever.
Los Angeles, California
Hollywood Tower Apartments
This glamorous old building is said to have inspired the Tower of Terror.
Los Angeles, California
Venice of America Canals
After starting as a whimsical tourist attraction that eventually found its way to ruin, these renovated canals offer a lush and exotic locale on the Pacific Coast.
Los Angeles, California
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
This serene oasis in an affluent Los Angeles neighborhood holds some of Gandhi's ashes and got Elvis into Eastern Philosophy.
Los Angeles, California
La Brea Tar Pits Dragonfly Fossils
These delicate buggers are some of the rarest fossils that have bubbled up from the Tar Pits.
Los Angeles, California
Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum
A look into the Church of Scientology's deeply unfavorable view of psychiatry.
Los Angeles, California
The Magic Castle
The private clubhouse for the members of the Academy of Magical Arts.
Los Angeles, California
Mosaic Tile House
Rainbow-hued local gem in Venice.
