sjelly's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Yucca Valley, California

Desert Christ Park

On a barren hillside in the Yucca Valley, the recently restored Desert Christ Park has attracted pilgrims and kitsch hunters for over 50 years.
Joshua Tree, California

World Famous Crochet Museum

An old California photo stand has been turned into a shrine to the cozy art of crochet.
Joshua Tree, California

Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum

The quirky salon doubles as a retro museum run by the world's leading "hairstorian."
Mono County, California

Crowley Lake Columns

Eons old volcanic activity created one of the most stunning rock formations in the United States.
Tulelake, California

Lava Beds National Monument

Trails through lava-carved tube-caves display sparkling bacteria and a rich history.
Sponsored by Visit California
Los Angeles, California

Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum

A look into the Church of Scientology's deeply unfavorable view of psychiatry.
San Francisco, California

Land’s End Octagon House

The one-time watch house for incoming ships at the Golden Gate now stands abandoned and hidden in trees.
San Francisco, California

The Tonga Room

Tiki luxury on Nob Hill.
San Luis Obispo, California

Madonna Inn

A hotel and restaurant serving as the mecca of kitsch.
Sponsored by Visit California
San Francisco, California

Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze

A psychedelic labyrinth on the San Francisco bay.
Los Angeles, California

Soap Plant / Wacko

An expansive book store, art gallery, and curio shop with wares ranging from tarot cards to novelty socks.
Los Angeles, California

The Bonaventure Hotel

The space-age building is home to one of the few remaining rotating restaurants in America, and the only one that inspired a 1980s sitcom.
Los Angeles, California

Wat Thai Temple Food Market

Every weekend, the parking lot of this Buddhist temple turns into a Thai street-food paradise.
Los Angeles, California

Chemosphere

This ultra-modern home clings to the slope of the Hollywood Hills on a precarious stilt.
Brooklyn, New York

'Jumping Jack' Power Plant

A mysterious, abandoned building rotting on the Brooklyn waterfront.
Julian, California

Eagle and High Peak Mine

Where there's quartz, there must be gold. Thus is the story of the mines of Julian, and the titillating times of the Gold Rush.
Queens, New York

Fort Tilden

This abandoned seaside fortress is now simply an imposing ruin being taken back by nature.
Santa Barbara, California

Knapp’s Castle

The ruins of the castle that chemicals built.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

True Treats

Time travel with sweets across history at this research-based candy store.
Los Angeles, California

Metropolitan Pit Stop

This vintage car parts store is also a museum devoted to a squat little gem of automotive history.
California City, California

Lake Shore Inn

Abandoned hotel with adjacent lake and golf course.
Randsburg, California

Burro Schmidt Tunnel

This impressive tunnel was dug entirely by hand over the course of 36 years.
Barcelona, Spain

Tió de Nadal

Catalonia Tradition: Beating the hollow Christmas log until it defecates in your fireplace.
Barcelona, Spain

Parc de l'Espanya Industrial

A former steam-powered mill from the 1800s is now an industrial park with a giant steel dragon slide.