The unusual patterns in this rock formation result from two distinct modes of weathering.

A land of debatable treasure.

At the edge of the high desert, California's second-largest natural lake is home to a unique subspecies of trout adapted to its alkaline waters.

The California capital city once stood 10 feet lower than it does today.

A walk-in working camera obscura produces 360-degree live images of the San Francisco coast.

Celebrating the transformation of trash into objects of beauty.

A tunnel with windows, so you don't miss out on the impressive views.

This quiet park's strange sedimentary spires were named after Kodak's color film.

The fifth-longest natural arch in the world, and the longest outside China.

The granddaddy of all tourist traps, built on ice water, jackalopes, and a giant dinosaur.

The graffiti-covered remnants of a former triangulation station are balanced precariously on this California peak.

The most magnificent bottle house in a town strangely full of them.

Twelve plaster figures inspired by da Vinci's famed painting haunt the desert landscape above a real-life ghost town.

A 300-ship graveyard, with a few still visible at low tide.

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.

Art Deco stylings conceal the true nature of this bridge.

Centuries of crashing waves carved out this small hole in the rock, which lights up at certain parts of the year.

Tiki luxury on Nob Hill.

An enchanting tunnel of cypress trees leads to an old morse code station still used today.

Thousands of turbines whir at at the origin of North American wind power.

The remains of a deserted steamboat sit rusting beside an old ferry pier and an abandoned train platform.

Where the alchemists dream of transmuting base metal into gold was actually achieved.

A huge collection of rocks, gems, and crystals.

The most beautiful Taco Bell in the world even has surfboard parking.