brian sg's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Santa Clarita, California

Oak of the Golden Dream

According to legend it was a nap taken under this tree that kicked off the California Gold Rush.
Newberry Springs, California

Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark

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.
Los Angeles, California

John Sowden House

Most famous work of one of Frank Lloyd Wright's sons.
Joshua Tree, California

Hicksville Trailer Palace

An eclectic trailer park retreat in the middle of the California desert.
Amboy, California

Amboy Ghost Town

The ghost town that ended up on Ebay.
Joshua Tree, California

The Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum

Explore 10 acres of environmental sculptures.
Lancaster, California

Civic Musical Road

Finale of "William Tell Overture" can be heard as drivers pass over grooves in the road.
Los Angeles, California

Skeletons in the Closet

Gift shop offering toe tags and chalk body beach towels tucked into a coroner's office.
Los Angeles, California

No Vacancy

A prohibition-style speakeasy takes up residence in the last Victorian residence in Hollywood.
Los Angeles, California

Linda Vista Hospital

A hospital closed seemingly in the middle of operations, leaving behind fodder for horror films and ghost hunters.
San Francisco, California

Secret Tiled Staircase

An artsy hidden staircase leads to breathtaking views of San Francisco.
Big Pine, California

Methuselah Tree

Once thought to be the oldest living tree in the world, Methuselah was germinated before the Egyptian pyramids were built.
Los Angeles, California

Necromance

Medical and zoological curiosities for sale.
Lucerne Valley, California

Jack O'Landia

This strangely vacant Western amusement seems to be an empty tribute to residents of Lucerne Valley.
Lucerne Valley, California

King Clone

A ring of creosote bushes that are estimated to be 11,700 years old.
Washington, D.C.

C&O Boat Elevator Ruins

This forgotten boat elevator was an engineering marvel in its heyday.
Goodland, Kansas

Giant Van Gogh Painting

Massive still life just off the highway in Kansas.
Topeka, Kansas

Truckhenge

These elevated trucks were put in place as a middle finger to The Man, but are now considered folk art.
Oakley, Kansas

Monument Rocks

One of the Eight Wonders of Kansas and the first official National Natural Monument these stark formations look like nature's Stonehenge.
Washington, D.C.

D.C. War Memorial

An overlooked memorial honoring the local Washington residents who died in World War I.
Washington, D.C.

Washington Aqueduct Castle Gatehouse

A building shaped like the Army Corps of Engineers logo, because why not?
Washington, D.C.

Watergate Gas Station

This seemingly out-of-place gas station by the Watergate hotel was once described as the most expensive gas station in the world.
Washington, D.C.

Navy Yard Railroad Gun

One of the largest artillery pieces in the world sits in a Washington D.C. parking lot.
Washington, D.C.

Churchill and Mandela Call and Response

When it comes to handsignals (and colonialism) rock always beats scissors.