mlaaker's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Jerome, Arizona

Jerome's Sliding Jail

A Wild West jailhouse that slid down the mountainside.
Sedona, Arizona

Chapel of the Holy Cross

A spiritual vortex among the red rocks in Sedona.
San Francisco, California

Alcatraz Island

In all of the 29 years it was in operation, no prisoners ever escaped successfully... or so they claim.
San Francisco, California

Exploratorium

San Francisco's newly reopened hands-on science museum.
San Francisco, California

Treasure Island

A man-made island in scenic San Francisco Bay.
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Center for the Book

This shop and studio is dedicated to the art of the book, from letterpress to bookbinding.
Berkeley, California

Adventure Playground

A playground built by the kids that is a child's wonderland, and a helicopter parent's nightmare.
Hillsborough, California

Junípero Serra Statue

This controversial depiction of the "Founder of California" looks as though it was sculpted from mashed potatoes.
Alameda, California

USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum

After serving in World War II and picking up Apollo astronauts, this aircraft carrier has been turned into a museum overlooking the San Francisco Bay.
Alameda, California

Pacific Pinball Museum

Playable, historic pinball machines fill this Alameda museum.
Mount Hamilton, California

Lick Observatory

The world's first permanently occupied mountain-top observatory continues to report on the stars.
Palo Alto, California

The Donkeys of Barron Park

The world's most famous donkey lives in this pen.
Mountain View, California

Waymo Self-Driving Car Garage

A fleet of automotive automatons sleep in this otherwise unremarkable urban garage.
Mountain View, California

Computer History Museum

From the Difference Engine to the Cray-1, all under one roof.
Sunol-Midtown, California

Sunol Water Temple

A Roman-inspired temple once controlled half of San Francisco's waters.
San Jose, California

Quetzalcóatl Sculpture

It is locally loved and ridiculed for literally looking like poop.
Woodside, California

Filoli

This old-world mansion with lush gardens is a gem in the heart of Silicon Valley.
San Jose, California

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

An extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts and mummies.
San Jose, California

Rosicrucian Park

The headquarters of a secretive order is also a beautifully-designed park.
San Jose, California

The Winchester Mystery House

A peculiar mansion built by the troubled heir to the Winchester Rifle Company fortune.
Santa Clara, California

Shrine of Our Lady of Peace

One of the largest Marian shrines on the West Coast stands rather unexpectedly in Silicon Valley.
Portola Valley, California

Alpine Inn

The Internet Age began with a transmission from this biker bar.
Palo Alto, California

Arizona Cactus Garden

A hidden world of exotic succulents and cacti.
Palo Alto, California

Stanford Mausoleum

Guarded by the Angel of Grief, the Stanford family tomb attracts an odd mix of halloween revelry and somber contemplation.