Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 1 month ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 1 month ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 1 month ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 1 month ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All the United States California Santa Margarita

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Santa Margarita

3 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Santa Margarita, California

Updated July 12, 2022

Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Santa Margarita

View of the processing equipment.

Santa Margarita, California

Rinconada Mercury Mine

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

Santa Margarita, California

Painted Rock

The oldest pictographs on this decorated rock formation in California's Carrizo Plain date back as many as 4,000 years.
Wallace Creek crossing the San Andreas Fault.

Santa Margarita, California

Wallace Creek

The San Andreas Fault spectacularly offsets this creek.
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!
The Underground House.

San Luis Obispo, California

Poly Canyon - Experimental Structures Lab

A deserted hodgepodge of experimental structures designed by nearby university students.
5 miles from Santa Margarita
Motel Inn

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
Bell at Mission Santa Inez

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
Ah Louis Store - View from across Palm Street.

San Luis Obispo, California

Ah Louis Store

One of the last surviving buildings of a once large and thriving Chinatown.
8 miles from Santa Margarita
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Santa Margarita, California

A

Santa Margarita Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Jandro
    1
  2. pavlovs dog
    1
  3. wbksb
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Santa Margarita.

Places Edited

  1. Avoiding Regret
    2
  2. James Ricci
    1
  3. rugby007
    1
  4. zydeko
    1
  5. Findingbalance18
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. jekinthebox
    2
  2. gpers
    2
  3. gricemyers
    2
  4. jaquinn86
    2
  5. Findingbalance18
    2
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Santa Margarita.

Recent Santa Margarita Activity

  • ringoredde

    wants to go to Rinconada Mercury Mine

    18 days ago
  • mosborne171

    wants to go to Painted Rock

    17 days ago
  • snailforpresident

    wants to go to Wallace Creek

    8 days ago
  • Rocketsauce

    wants to go to Rinconada Mercury Mine

    5 days ago
  • cvene7

    wants to go to Painted Rock

    2 days ago

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.