This Las Vegas casino boasts one of only three spiral escalators in the United States—an engineering wonder.

One of the world's tallest Ferris wheels takes visitors high above Las Vegas in a spinning party room.

Apartment building was once posh playground to the Hollywood elite.

An increasingly eccentric apartment building, topped with winged beasties.

An historic and oft-filmed spot for musclebound iron pumpers on the Pacific coast.

The words of the neighborhood's most famous poets adorn four concrete walls.

60 feet of towering steel balances gracefully.

San Diego's most historic and haunted home.

The most beautiful Taco Bell in the world even has surfboard parking.

The oldest burial ground in the city, final resting place of city founders, Ohlone natives and murderers alike.

Golden Gate Park's historic collection of plants.

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

A century and a half of research in the sciences and natural history, still going strong.

This controversial depiction of the "Founder of California" looks as though it was sculpted from mashed potatoes.

This concrete ship has had four careers - World War I tanker, floating amusement park, fishing pier, and artificial reef.

A tiny slice shop hides down an unmarked hallway in a Las Vegas casino.

These banned cigarette vending machines now sell little pieces of pocket-sized art.

A simple statue outside a California Amtrak station honors the overlooked contributions of the "silent spikes."

An alley covered with 20 years of bubble gum.

A chain of bells connect the California Missions and honor the legend of the "King’s Highway."

This lonesome Monterey cypress has survived centuries of wind, salt, and at least one attempt at arson.

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

This old-world mansion with lush gardens is a gem in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Not quite the menace it once was, this monster still has some chops.