This opulent hotel has been visited by Spider-Man, Charlie's Angels, and the Ghostbusters.

A cult following celebrates the legend that belies this curious podiatrists' office sign which has worked its way into song, literature, animation, and the visual arts.

Once a place of peaceful repose, this sanitarium now faces an uncertain future.

This Buddhist temple is home to the graves of the Japanese national legends, the 47 Ronin.

Shrine to Japanese water-goblins, complete with their preserved body parts.

A Buddhist temple to honor insects that died for science.

This iconic L.A. bookshop is housed in an abandoned bank—both symbolic and chic.

An unreal vintage shop that wears its dadaist influence on its zombie fish.

This California estate was either haunted by ghosts or the Marx brothers.

Medical and zoological curiosities for sale.

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

An outdoor sculpture park of giant pink robots and post-apocalyptic Christmas scenes.

Version of the French Riviera destroyed by the sea.

World's largest collection devoted to one fruit.

This large collection of tiny things revels in the art of fine machinery well made.

San Diego's most historic and haunted home.

Meet the world's longest tapeworm in a collection that really gets under your skin.

A magical place that lets you play in and explore the world of Studio Ghibli.

A beautiful, dense forest in the shadow of Mount Fuji, with a tragic reputation.

An oddly touching memorial to a little-remembered nuclear tragedy.

A monthly street "service" of handmade puppets and live original puppets, whose devotees profess has the power to change lives.

The tragedy of the Japanese internment camps is remembered here by a stark "Soul Consoling Tower."

The so-called "Statue of Liberty of Los Angeles" is on a one mutant mission to keep L.A. weird.

Los Angeles's oldest cemetery allows visitors to trace the history of this proud city.