Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Santa Margarita - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Santa Margarita

Santa Margarita, California

Rinconada Mercury Mine

Machinery left over from California's once thriving mercury industry now attracts artists and explorers.

Santa Margarita, California

Wallace Creek

The San Andreas Fault spectacularly offsets this creek.

Are we missing something unusual in Santa Margarita?

San Luis Obispo, California

Cal Poly Architecture Graveyard

A deserted hodgepodge of experimental structures designed by nearby university students.

5 miles from Santa Margarita

San Luis Obispo, California

Motel Inn

The world's first motel is now an administrative building for an apple farm.

7 miles from Santa Margarita

San Luis Obispo, California

The Bells of El Camino Real

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

7 miles from Santa Margarita

San Luis Obispo, California

San Luis Obispo's Bubblegum Alley

An alley covered with 20 years of bubble gum.

8 miles from Santa Margarita

San Luis Obispo, California

'The Iron Road Pioneers'

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

8 miles from Santa Margarita

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Atlas Obscura Trips

Art of Joshua Tree and the Mojave

Join us as we venture deep into the High Desert, glimpsing massive sculptures, fluorescent painted mountains, and revitalizing domes along the way.

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ashnolan1991 wants to go to Wallace Creek

ashnolan1991 wants to go to Rinconada Mercury Mine

bedtimechamp wants to go to Rinconada Mercury Mine

juliescorsatto wants to go to Rinconada Mercury Mine

alexxhuman has been to Wallace Creek