Eastern zen meets Western grit in these four little trees growing out of a rock on Lake Tahoe’s Nevada shore.

Beneath a Virginia City bar is the entrance to an abandoned gold mine.

The interior of the Overlook Hotel in "The Shining" was based on this Yosemite original.

Aqueducts have dramatically changed this old lake, now home to tufa towers and its very own species of tiny brine shrimp.

A volcanic cone that formed over 600 years ago.

A natural dome made of volcanic glass in Inyo National Forest.

Eons old volcanic activity created one of the most stunning rock formations in the United States.

Where a railroad loops under or over itself to rise or drop more than 70 feet in a short distance.

This giant temperature attraction created some giant electric bills.

The liveliest ghost town in the state.

The "Fun Spot of the Desert" is now a haunting ruin, and a reminder that putting a water park in a desert is a bad idea.

A desert ghost town—occupied for only 12 years—was once home to more than 500 silver mines.

The last Americana on Route 66.

Abandoned Air Force base that has fallen into disrepair.

The "world's biggest dinosaur" once housed a creationist museum in its abdomen.

Costumed elves and mountain bikers co-exist peacefully at this abandoned Christmas-themed adventure park.

The lead horse on a Disneyland merry-go-round that is older than the park itself.

This enormous World War II relic is one of the largest wooden structures in the world.

Megachurch turned Catholic church comprised of 10,000 glass panes.

A surreal, Gaudi-inspired play space near an Anaheim community center.

Remants of foundations, streets, and streetcar tracks inhabit the cliffs where a landslide occurred in 1929.

The awe-inspiring ship from the golden era of cruising has an incomparable history and a reputation as one of the world’s most haunted places.

This monster board rode a monster wave to break two world records.

Try the frozen treat that inspired Arrested Development's famous banana stand.