An ancient knight and a symbol of the city's freedom.

Gargoyle head that brings good luck.

Now harmless, this looming post struck fear into the heart of medieval troublemakers.

A musical instrument played by the sea.

A 300-ship graveyard, with a few still visible at low tide.

Furniture tries to escape an abandoned building in San Francisco.

A replica of the first public theater built in California.

An art collective teaching the more fiery, metal-y art forms.

The black lab that was voted mayor of a California town is forever remembered by a life-size statue.

The California capital city once stood 10 feet lower than it does today.

Forgotten and then destroyed by fire, this was once one of the largest saltwater swimming pools in the world.

This grinning pup statue is all that's left of what was once a ubiquitous Bay Area diner chain.

A promotional sun clock on the site of San Francisco's great raceway.

A store full of vintage and indie toys designed to bring out the kid in even the crustiest of adults.

Roadside Americana, fairy tale characters, and Austin quirkiness come together at this magical course in the heart of Texas' capital city.

This unassuming North Austin neighborhood was built to test the novel idea of home air conditioning.

At this Austin dive bar, it's been Christmas every day for more than 50 years.

The upstairs reading room is packed with millions of rare books, literary manuscripts, and historical treasures.

Home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, estimated at 1.5 million bats.

A hidden three-foot-wide house separates these two regal churches.

Elaborate tile work in this railway station tells the story of Portugal.

This restored Portuguese cafe may well be the most beautiful place in the world to grab a Big Mac.

Daily jousts and dancing barrel makers in Munich's mechanical clock.

A fearsome dragon clings to a corner of Munich's city hall.