Places nickblossom Wants to Go

Four tons of weapons merge together in a memorial against violence.

A historic hydroelectric power plant serves as the unusual backdrop for a public park.

Once a year, at exactly 11:11 a.m., this monument comes to life.

The massive, incredibly rare instrument is over 11 feet tall with a range so deep it goes lower than humans can hear.

This striking public art installation is suspended above a public park, designed to gently move in the breeze.

Founded by members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, this one-room joint's James Beard–winning fry bread is light as a cloud.

Open since 1938, this diner has kept its fountain, malt machine, and all the gum that greasers left beneath its counter.

A self-built castle made by a mysterious man.

The remains of a deserted steamboat sit rusting beside an old ferry pier and an abandoned train platform.

A "Titanic" superfan changed his name to Jack and set up this strange shrine to the blockbuster, complete with Korean food and Tarot readings.

Venue for strange sideshow displays and musical acts.

A Cold War site complete with rusty structures, hiking trails, and beautiful views.

This symbol of peace is appropriately positioned overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

An increasingly eccentric apartment building, topped with winged beasties.

Every weekend, the parking lot of this Buddhist temple turns into a Thai street-food paradise.

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

In a city filled with Frank Gehry buildings, one stands out as one of the architect's weirder works.

This beloved, whimsical weiner topped an eclectic variety of Los Angeles buildings, including a Thai restaurant and an advertising agency.

This iconic neon jester is a local landmark that you might recognize from his cameos in film and television.

This jagged colossus of a building is mostly held together by an enormous concrete exoskeleton.

A miniature train theme park, free to the public, laying at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Perched high atop telephone poles is an uncanny outdoor art gallery that greets passersby on their commute.

A Romanesque sanctuary of calm amid the bustle of downtown Los Angeles.

This sculpture presents commentary on a life in pursuit of profits.