Calistoga
Three million years ago at this now roadside-Americana attraction, a volcanic eruption at Mt St Helena blew down a stand of redwoods. The trees fell in…
Must-see attractions in California
The Deserts
The pile of rocks is actually a monument to Thomas 'Peg Leg’ Smith – one-legged mountain man, fur trapper, horse thief, con artist and Wild West legend…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
Most boats, including party fishing boats and winter whale-watching boats, leave from this kitschy strip of candy-colored cottages filled with tacky gift…
Los Angeles
The Dunbar was a luxury hotel built in 1928 in this predominantly African-American neighborhood, at a time when segregation barred African-Americans from…
The Deserts
Pay your respects to early desert adventurers at the old Stone Hotel. Built in 1875 of adobe and stone, it once housed miners, desert explorers and…
Long Beach & San Pedro
Shrieking gulls and excited children animate this aging shopping district filled with trinket stores (which you can safely skip) en route to copious meals…
Berkeley
This park, just east of Telegraph Ave, is a marker in local history as a political battleground between residents and the city and state government in the…
Berkeley
Despite the title, this isn't a museum, but rather a research facility that's closed to the public. With that said, the location within the Valley Life…
Greater Palm Springs
Rat Packers should make the pilgrimage to Desert Memorial Park to pay their final respects to Frank Sinatra who died in 1998 at age 82. He was buried in…
Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley
The theater where Mia and Seb went to the movies in La La Land has been closed since 2007 (talk about movie magic!), but locals remain nostalgic for this…
Santa Barbara
Descend the cliffs on a historic staircase (don’t worry, there aren’t actually a thousand steps) for some windy beachcombing and tide-pooling (only at low…
The Deserts
Despite the name, this low-budget museum is not so much about the famous teams of mules that transported borax from Death Valley to Mojave in the 1880s…
Santa Barbara County
By the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Surf Beach is, as its name suggests, popular with surfers, though fatal shark attacks in recent years mean you should be…
Los Angeles to Barstow
Cruising through Fontana, birthplace of the Hells Angels biker club, pause for a photo by the Giant Orange, a now-boarded-up 1930s orange-shaped juice…
Hollywood
The last remaining Victorian home on Hollywood Blvd, built in 1903, and the former site of Miss Janes’ School, which was attended by the children of old…
The Deserts
Back in the day when the Butterfield Overland stage coach had a hard time making it across this pass, passengers had to temporarily get off and walk –…
La Jolla
Commissioned by Ellen Browning Scripps and designed by famous San Diego architect Irving Gill, this notable building dates to 1915. The center has…
Mt Shasta Region
The tiny historical museum sits opposite the McCloud Chamber of Commerce and could use a bit of organization – it has the feel of a cluttered, messy…
Sacramento
Exhibits, stories and artifacts of some of Sacramento's most fascinating citizens, though much of the information is focused on the Gold Rush. Get tickets…
Oakland
This small park doesn't have much draw on its own, but it forms the geographic heart of Oakland's Little Saigon neighborhood, and is an interesting spot…
San Diego
Save Starlight (www.savestarlight.org) is an initiative working to restore, revive and revitalize Starlight Bowl. The movement hopes to put on concerts,…
La Jolla
Although not open to the public, campus buildings (visible from the street) date back to 1898 and are a good example of early architecture in the area. If…
San Joaquin Valley
A small town's worth of historical structures, including a general store, schoolhouse and windmill, were relocated to this square on the east end of town…
San Diego
Just north of Old Town, this house dates from about 1820 and is said to be the oldest house in San Diego. It is now the pro shop for the public 18-hole…
Disneyland Resort
As corny as it sounds, entering the main gate and seeing Walt's words 'Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy’ on the…
Sacramento & the Central Valley
This welcoming central park has a beautiful bandstand, fountains and a veteran's memorial, all situated around a cedar tree that is lit at Christmas. The…
Death Valley National Park
Just east of Stovepipe Wells Village, Hwy 190 passes through this plain that is not studded with corn but with clumps of arrow weed, an evergreen used by…
San Diego
Historic building with kitsch ornate plaster work of fruits at its top. It was recently transformed into 'The Hive,' housing a collection of different…
Charles Greene's Former Private Residence
Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley
This is the former home of one of Pasadena's great architects, whose works include the Gamble House, designed with his brother Henry.
Los Angeles
This park sits at the southern end of Leimert Park, though its appeal is diminished by the constant swirl of traffic on busy Crenshaw Blvd to the west.
Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley
Pasadena's 1927 city hall is on the National Register of Historic Places and a prime example of California Mediterranean-style architecture.
San Luis Obispo
SLO’s weirdest sight is colorfully plastered with thousands of wads of ABC (‘already been chewed’) gum. Watch where you step!
Sacramento
This active facility plays an important role in restoring the population of Chinook salmon and steelhead in area rivers.
Greater Palm Springs
En route to the Salton Sea, this certified-organic date garden is handy for picking up gift boxes and yummy date shakes.
Long Beach & San Pedro
Among the 'residents' of this cemetery is Charles Bukowski, buried in plot number 875 of the Ocean View section.
Garden of Memories Memorial Park
Central Coast
Steinbeck is buried in the family plot at this cemetery, less than 2 miles southeast of downtown Salinas.
Santa Barbara County
The closest beach option to Lompoc, but closed for half the year to protect nesting Snowy Plovers.
San Joaquin Valley
Classic kiddie rides and games including merry-go-rounds, bumper cars, roller coasters and more.
La Jolla
Classic architecture, a nice place to stop for a photo on a historic walking tour of La Jolla.
West Hollywood & Mid-City
The future home of the museum of the Oscars is scheduled to open in late 2019.
