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California's lesser-known wonders: exploring uncharted treasures

Discover California's lesser-known wonders nestled away from the bustling tourist trails. This collection of hidden gems reveals enchanting locales that offer an intimate glimpse into the state's natural beauty, historical richness, and cultural vibrancy. From secluded beaches to forgotten historical sites, each point of interest has its own unique allure, inviting you to uncover the secrets that make the Golden State truly shine.

Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon

Humboldt County, USA

A serene canyon with walls draped in lush ferns, located within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Salton Sea
Salton Sea

Imperial County, USA

An enigmatic saline lake situated on the San Andreas Fault, offering a moody landscape.

Glass Beach
Glass Beach

Mendocino County, USA

A beach famous for its sea glass, created from years of dumping garbage into the coastline.

Amboy Crater
Amboy Crater

San Bernardino County, USA

An extinct cinder cone volcano that stands as a stark landmark in the Mojave Desert.

Sutro Baths
Sutro Baths

San Francisco, USA

The ruins of a large, privately owned public saltwater swimming pool complex from the late 19th century.

Murphy Ranch
Murphy Ranch

Los Angeles County, USA

Abandoned ruins of a suspected Nazi sympathizers compound, hidden deep within Rustic Canyon.

Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake

Los Angeles County, USA

A stunning reservoir known for its peculiar pyramid-shaped rock formation and mesmerizing reflections.

Lava Beds National Monument
Lava Beds National Monument

Siskiyou County, USA

A volcanic field boasting one of the largest concentrations of caves in North America.

Desert Christ Park
Desert Christ Park

San Bernardino County, USA

A sculpture park filled with over 40 religious statues carved from white concrete.

Nitt Witt Ridge
Nitt Witt Ridge

San Luis Obispo County, USA

A quirky architectural landmark made mostly from recycled material, often compared to Hearst Castle.

Bodie State Historic Park
Bodie State Historic Park

Mono County, USA

Preserved ghost town that boomed with gold rush fever, now offers a freeze-frame of Wild West life.

Pfeiffer Beach
Pfeiffer Beach

Monterey County, USA

A scenic coastal area famed for its purple sand and picturesque Keyhole Rock.

Alabama Hills
Alabama Hills

Inyo County, USA

Rock formations that served as a classic backdrop for many Hollywood films and still captivate with their rugged beauty.

Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park

Ventura County, USA

Five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, offering pristine natural landscapes and marine life.

Mossbrae Falls
Mossbrae Falls

Siskiyou County, USA

Stunning cascades flowing over lush green moss, creating one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state.

El Matador Beach
El Matador Beach

Los Angeles County, USA

Secluded beach spot known for its stunning rock formations and caves.

The Magic Castle
The Magic Castle

Los Angeles, USA

An exclusive mansion host to magicians and their guests, invoking old Hollywood glamour.

James Turrell's Skyspace
James Turrell's Skyspace

Los Angeles County, USA

An immersive art installation that accentuates the beauty of the sky.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Monterey County, USA

Renowned for its breathtaking coastal landscapes and rich wildlife.

Lotusland
Lotusland

Santa Barbara County, USA

A whimsical garden estate created by the eccentric opera singer Madame Ganna Walska.

Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve
Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve

Contra Costa County, USA

Home to a rare kind of manzanita plant, this preserve offers solitude amongst nature.

The Sunken City
The Sunken City

Los Angeles County, USA

Ruins of a 1929 landslide, now iconic for stunning graffiti and ocean views.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Metal Sculptures
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Metal Sculptures

San Diego County, USA

Over 130 metal sculptures scattered throughout the park create an otherworldly outdoor gallery.

Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve

Mendocino County, USA

Serene redwood grove featuring some of the tallest trees on earth.

Painted Canyons of Mecca
Painted Canyons of Mecca

Riverside County, USA

Nature’s masterpiece with intricately colored canyon walls in the Coachella Valley.

Saline Valley Hot Springs
Saline Valley Hot Springs

Inyo County, USA

Remote hot springs providing a blissful escape in the midst of Death Valley.

Dana Point Sea Caves
Dana Point Sea Caves

Orange County, USA

Access these sea caves during low tide for an ocean level view of marine life.

Devil's Punchbowl
Devil's Punchbowl

Los Angeles County, USA

A scenic Natural Area featuring a dramatic, inclined sandstone formation created by erosion.

Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Monterey County, USA

This park offers scenic views of Monterey Bay and undeveloped seaside dunes.

Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve

San Luis Obispo County, USA

Features ancient sand dune Oak trees creating a forest out of a fairytale.

Sand Dollar Beach
Sand Dollar Beach

Monterey County, USA

The largest unbroken stretch of beach in Big Sur, popular for jade hunting along the coastline.

Trestles Beach
Trestles Beach

San Diego County, USA

A famed surf spot with iconic wooden train trestle, accessible via a scenic trail.

Fern Canyon A serene canyon with walls draped in lush ferns, located within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon A serene canyon with walls draped in lush ferns, located within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
Salton Sea An enigmatic saline lake situated on the San Andreas Fault, offering a moody landscape.

Salton Sea
Salton Sea An enigmatic saline lake situated on the San Andreas Fault, offering a moody landscape.
Glass Beach A beach famous for its sea glass, created from years of dumping garbage into the coastline.

Glass Beach
Glass Beach A beach famous for its sea glass, created from years of dumping garbage into the coastline.
Amboy Crater An extinct cinder cone volcano that stands as a stark landmark in the Mojave Desert.

Amboy Crater
Amboy Crater An extinct cinder cone volcano that stands as a stark landmark in the Mojave Desert.
Sutro Baths The ruins of a large, privately owned public saltwater swimming pool complex from the late 19th century.

Sutro Baths
Sutro Baths The ruins of a large, privately owned public saltwater swimming pool complex from the late 19th century.
Murphy Ranch Abandoned ruins of a suspected Nazi sympathizers compound, hidden deep within Rustic Canyon.

Murphy Ranch
Murphy Ranch Abandoned ruins of a suspected Nazi sympathizers compound, hidden deep within Rustic Canyon.
Pyramid Lake A stunning reservoir known for its peculiar pyramid-shaped rock formation and mesmerizing reflections.

Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake A stunning reservoir known for its peculiar pyramid-shaped rock formation and mesmerizing reflections.
Lava Beds National Monument A volcanic field boasting one of the largest concentrations of caves in North America.

Lava Beds National Monument
Lava Beds National Monument A volcanic field boasting one of the largest concentrations of caves in North America.
Desert Christ Park A sculpture park filled with over 40 religious statues carved from white concrete.

Desert Christ Park
Desert Christ Park A sculpture park filled with over 40 religious statues carved from white concrete.
Nitt Witt Ridge A quirky architectural landmark made mostly from recycled material, often compared to Hearst Castle.

Nitt Witt Ridge
Nitt Witt Ridge A quirky architectural landmark made mostly from recycled material, often compared to Hearst Castle.
Bodie State Historic Park Preserved ghost town that boomed with gold rush fever, now offers a freeze-frame of Wild West life.

Bodie State Historic Park
Bodie State Historic Park Preserved ghost town that boomed with gold rush fever, now offers a freeze-frame of Wild West life.
Pfeiffer Beach A scenic coastal area famed for its purple sand and picturesque Keyhole Rock.

Pfeiffer Beach
Pfeiffer Beach A scenic coastal area famed for its purple sand and picturesque Keyhole Rock.
Alabama Hills Rock formations that served as a classic backdrop for many Hollywood films and still captivate with their rugged beauty.

Alabama Hills
Alabama Hills Rock formations that served as a classic backdrop for many Hollywood films and still captivate with their rugged beauty.
Channel Islands National Park Five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, offering pristine natural landscapes and marine life.

Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park Five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, offering pristine natural landscapes and marine life.
Mossbrae Falls Stunning cascades flowing over lush green moss, creating one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state.

Mossbrae Falls
Mossbrae Falls Stunning cascades flowing over lush green moss, creating one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state.
El Matador Beach Secluded beach spot known for its stunning rock formations and caves.

El Matador Beach
El Matador Beach Secluded beach spot known for its stunning rock formations and caves.
The Magic Castle An exclusive mansion host to magicians and their guests, invoking old Hollywood glamour.

The Magic Castle
The Magic Castle An exclusive mansion host to magicians and their guests, invoking old Hollywood glamour.
James Turrell's Skyspace An immersive art installation that accentuates the beauty of the sky.

James Turrell's Skyspace
James Turrell's Skyspace An immersive art installation that accentuates the beauty of the sky.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Renowned for its breathtaking coastal landscapes and rich wildlife.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Renowned for its breathtaking coastal landscapes and rich wildlife.
Lotusland A whimsical garden estate created by the eccentric opera singer Madame Ganna Walska.

Lotusland
Lotusland A whimsical garden estate created by the eccentric opera singer Madame Ganna Walska.
Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve Home to a rare kind of manzanita plant, this preserve offers solitude amongst nature.

Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve
Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve Home to a rare kind of manzanita plant, this preserve offers solitude amongst nature.
The Sunken City Ruins of a 1929 landslide, now iconic for stunning graffiti and ocean views.

The Sunken City
The Sunken City Ruins of a 1929 landslide, now iconic for stunning graffiti and ocean views.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Metal Sculptures Over 130 metal sculptures scattered throughout the park create an otherworldly outdoor gallery.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Metal Sculptures
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Metal Sculptures Over 130 metal sculptures scattered throughout the park create an otherworldly outdoor gallery.
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve Serene redwood grove featuring some of the tallest trees on earth.

Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve Serene redwood grove featuring some of the tallest trees on earth.
Painted Canyons of Mecca Nature’s masterpiece with intricately colored canyon walls in the Coachella Valley.

Painted Canyons of Mecca
Painted Canyons of Mecca Nature’s masterpiece with intricately colored canyon walls in the Coachella Valley.
Saline Valley Hot Springs Remote hot springs providing a blissful escape in the midst of Death Valley.

Saline Valley Hot Springs
Saline Valley Hot Springs Remote hot springs providing a blissful escape in the midst of Death Valley.
Dana Point Sea Caves Access these sea caves during low tide for an ocean level view of marine life.

Dana Point Sea Caves
Dana Point Sea Caves Access these sea caves during low tide for an ocean level view of marine life.
Devil's Punchbowl A scenic Natural Area featuring a dramatic, inclined sandstone formation created by erosion.

Devil's Punchbowl
Devil's Punchbowl A scenic Natural Area featuring a dramatic, inclined sandstone formation created by erosion.
Fort Ord Dunes State Park This park offers scenic views of Monterey Bay and undeveloped seaside dunes.

Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Fort Ord Dunes State Park This park offers scenic views of Monterey Bay and undeveloped seaside dunes.
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve Features ancient sand dune Oak trees creating a forest out of a fairytale.

Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve Features ancient sand dune Oak trees creating a forest out of a fairytale.
Sand Dollar Beach The largest unbroken stretch of beach in Big Sur, popular for jade hunting along the coastline.

Sand Dollar Beach
Sand Dollar Beach The largest unbroken stretch of beach in Big Sur, popular for jade hunting along the coastline.
Trestles Beach A famed surf spot with iconic wooden train trestle, accessible via a scenic trail.

Trestles Beach
Trestles Beach A famed surf spot with iconic wooden train trestle, accessible via a scenic trail.