Places Michael Barera Wants to Go

What began with a single, 357-pound chunk of the Canyon Diablo meteorite grew to be an impressive collection. 

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

The site of a classic series of Laurel and Hardy pratfalls.

Once strictly off-limits, this lower level housing curious and priceless vehicles of the Petersen Automotive Museum is now open to the public.

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.

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

Scores of vintage street lamps shine along L.A.’s Miracle Mile.

The final resting place of a space program monolith, soon to be unveiled again to the public.

Historic funicular railway, believed to be the shortest railroad in the world.

These delicate buggers are some of the rarest fossils that have bubbled up from the Tar Pits.

A castle that was built stone by stone by an eccentric journalist.

Crypt mausoleum in cathedral's basement contains relics of third century Roman martyr, Saint Vibiana.

Hollywood's most famous landmark, the "temporary" sign that has stood for decades longer than intended.

Shop selling 500 flavors of soda has something for everyone.

America's most famous piece of self-built architecture.

High on a hill overlooking Los Angeles lives a world famous, high-power conical Tesla Coil.

The legendary building that needed ghostly approval before being built.

The neighborhood church casts a breast-shaped shadow that locals have come to call the “two o’clock titty.”

Only hotel where you can legally launder money.

An enormous artwork that colorfully celebrates over 150 years of US military achievements.

An elaborate gift from Claus Spreckels is now a piece of San Francisco history.

The grand, column-fronted, sculpture-adorned home of the ambitious digital library.

Amazing meticulous gardens of personal wood carvings, Hydrangea, Canna, and many other flowers.

Appropriation-friendly collection of books, periodicals, and more.