Places leahmckay Wants to Go

A water tower shaped like a giant coffee pot looms over a small Swedish village in Central California.

A plaque and memorabilia collection mark where A&W got its start.

A strange house built only at night, with rumored mystic inspiration.

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."

Hopeless romantics will swoon over the sweet story behind this bright and colorful home.

Two rocks in a perpetual kiss and one of "the most romantic spot in America."

The oldest lighthouse on America's west coast no longer needs keepers, yet they maintain the site anyhow.

This little valley along Highway 1 is engulfed by thousands of lilies during the spring season.

Life in this isolated, hilltop lighthouse was lonely, but it sure was lovely.

It's not your typical library, memorial, or book store.

This Big Sur waterfall drops 80 feet directly into the Pacific Ocean, and inspired the hillside house up top.

An alley covered with 20 years of bubble gum.

A hotel and restaurant serving as the mecca of kitsch.

A Mysterious Masonic tomb in San Luis Obispo.

Thousands of migrating monarchs overwinter clustered amongst the eucalyptus trees.

A popular winter vacation destination for migrating monarch butterflies.

This house is a mosaic of tiled artwork sourced from local artists.

The beautiful behemoth is one of the largest trees of its kind in the United States.

At 130 years old and 126 feet tall, it is the largest known example of the rare Torrey pine tree.

An offbeat angle on the ocean viewed through an antiquated lens.

A second generation sun-powered marvel lights up the night.

A sign at the end of the Santa Monica Pier marks the traditional end of the legendary American highway.

A three-story, three-dimensional hobo clown in a tutu welcomes CVS shoppers.

This monster board rode a monster wave to break two world records.