Places micheleshreeve Wants to Go

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

Once the largest town in eastern Yuba County now sits abandoned.

Built to hold Gold Rush wealth, this building has withstood the test of time.

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

The viewpoint for this attractive, off-the-beaten-path waterfall is reached by a paved, wheelchair-accessible trail.

A fire lookout atop a glacial pinnacle is reached by climbing three vertiginous flights of stairs.

Star garnets are so rare that you can only find them in two places on Earth—here, you can dig for them.

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

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

This rare example of a "tidefall" is a spectacular drop from the cliffs down onto the beach.

An enchanting tunnel of cypress trees leads to an old morse code station still used today.

A showcase of engineering might that was also symbolic of westward expansion.

This lesser known Hearst estate is a fairytale village built from the stolen bones of historic European buildings.

This little museum has an exhibit devoted to the elusive forest denizens.

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

A picturesque example of brute-force engineering conquering nature.

California's first suspension bridge.

Wool processing mill in an unlikely location.

The largest drain hole in the world.

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

The haunting ruins of Jack London's dream house.

340 bicycles, 65 feet high.

The southernmost outpost of the Russian Empire in colonial America.

A striking eight-story-high obelisk perched on a coastal California cliff.