One of the most scenic stretches of road in America winds between some of the country's oldest trees.

A vaudeville performer mounted this hollowed-out redwood log onto the chassis of a truck, and toured the country spreading a message of conservation.

Commonly referred to as the most photographed Victorian home in the United States.

Canyon walls shrouded in ferns.

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

This massive redwood tree has a drive-thru tunnel carved out of its trunk.

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

A lighthouse built to save lives that took quite a few with its treacherous location.

This 19th-century museum inside of a lighthouse is only accessible during low tide.

Beneath the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge is the “Gibraltar of the West Coast,” a fort built to protect the San Francisco Bay from naval attack.

In all of the 29 years it was in operation, no prisoners ever escaped successfully... or so they claim.

A sparse, solitary sequoia still stands as a living tribute to the famous conservationist who planted it—but it's dying.

Over 300 taxidermied animals in a Californian restaurant make for a taxidermist's dream and an animal lover's nightmare.

This hidden amusement park is a magical escape for kids and kids-at-heart.

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

A tree grown from astronaut seeds which were exposed to cosmic rays.

This remarkably simple jail went over a century without an escape.

The stately birthplace of California's statehood.

The oldest continuously operating church in California.

This municipal playground was co-created by the father of one of the most playful characters ever.

The oldest U.S. Government building in California, and it's State Historic Landmark #1.

The first safe in this California town had to hold all the gold.

When California condors were hovering on the brink of extinction, this recovery program was charged with helping the birds thrive again.

Once America’s most beautiful army base, this abandoned military fort on the coast of Monterey Bay has been left to the elements.