Places matteakle Wants to Go

Concrete strongholds stand guard over the Golden Gate.

Law-protected wreckage serves as a peculiar memorial for an almost forgotten World War II tragedy.

Of all the origin stories for weed's secret code, this one likely has the goods.

Wheels of chrome by the thousands adorn this California Historical Landmark.

California's own medieval Italian castle, authentic down to the 300-year-old iron maiden in the dungeon.

'Cause the fence start shaking, the earth was quaking.

A huge work of Burning Man-inspired outsider art on the grounds of a California winery.

This abandoned boat was left in place thanks to its rotting beauty.

Built by the inventor of the radio, this abandoned hotel has housed early radio employees, military men, and a dangerous cult.

Canyon walls shrouded in ferns.

Two mammoth statues inspired by equally tall tales lure tourists to this roadside attraction.

These cinderblock farmhouses were actually World War II radar stations in disguise.

This charmingly homemade amusement park has been growing for 40 years.

Home of Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose.

A sculpture of a salmon swimming through a brick building.

This public art piece proves that in Portland even reporting the weather is a thing of whimsy.

Tens of thousands of tiny birds swarm into one school chimney every fall.

Portlandia is the second-largest copper repoussé statue in the United States.

Gigantic private toy museum featuring among finest collections of antique mechanical banks in existence.

The world's smallest park was dedicated in 1948 as the only colony for leprechauns west of Ireland.

Their motto is, "We've been bonkers for hats even longer than you have!"

A beautiful 62-acre Catholic shrine and botanical garden.

Featuring a casually threatening atmosphere along with dessert and coffee to die for.

The magic's in the hole!