It’s hard for me to not go to Splash Cafe when I am in Pismo Beach, but Hoagies is good enough that I often make the exception. Home of the Pismo Wrap, which is the popular item to get here, there is a menu full of seafood and bbq related dishes. Do note though that it gets crazy busy on the weekend but is very pleasant on the weekdays. Here is all the information.

Details

• Cost: $12-$15
• Location: 580 Cypress St # M5, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Getting There

From Highway 101 north, you will get off on exit 190 for Price St / Hinds Ave. Then turn left on Ocean View Ave and right on Cypress Way. The destination will be on the right, and there is street parking around the area.

The Restaurant

This small shop is what you would expect to find in a beach community like Pismo Beach. The logo has a surfboard, everyone is super laid back, and there is a nice patio to sit and eat when the weather is good.

Even the menu is very beach inspired, with lots of seafood-related items, including fish tacos, clam chowder, and ahi. I wanted to try the crazy loaded clam chowder they have, which comes in a bread bowl and is topped with seafood, calamari, bacon, and cheese, but I will have to check that out next time.

Here is what we ordered, then we went and waited on the patio.

Pismo Wrap – This famous item lives up to the hype as it is a wrap with tri-tip, French fries, cheese, avocado, and bbq sauce.  It is full of flavor with a ton of thin-sliced, grilled tri-tip and just the right amount of bbq sauce to not overpower it. The fries added a nice crunch, and the avocado was an excellent way to complete the dish. Overall I was impressed, and I don’t know if I will be able to come again and not order it.

Ahi Wrap – Fresh ahi served with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and pepper jack cheese. Sushi grade and lightly seared, so it basically melts in your mouth. There is cucumber wasabi (cusabi) sauce that comes on the side and is an excellent addition to the wrap. Even the curly fries served as a side with the both of the wraps are good as they are lightly seasoned and a little crunchy.

If you are driving through the Pismo area and don’t want to have clam chowder at Splash, then you need to go to Hoagies. It is a fun spot with unique food. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments.

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The town of Cambria is a hidden gem in Central California as this small town has a super relaxing vibe with beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and fun places to stroll like the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk. You can access the boardwalk from any part of Moonstone Beach Drive and walk in either direction for as long as you would like but if you want to walk it from start to finish, here is all the information.

Details

• 2.5 miles round trip
• Flat
• Lots of places you will want to sidetrack and explore

Getting There

From Highway 1 North, you will turn left on Windsor Blvd and then right on Moonstone Beach Drive. From here you will see a small parking area on the left or you can continue driving and pull off at the many dirt pullouts along the road.

The Boardwalk

From the parking area on Moonstone Beach Drive, you will see the start of the boardwalk on the right side.

This area is not along the coast, so it builds you up for the excellent views that are in store. Head down the boardwalk under the trees and foliage before bending around through Moonstone Beach Park.

From here the trail follows the coast the rest of the way and it is stunning.

The elevated wooden planks make the trail comfortable to walk on, and there are many spurs that take you down to the beaches or lookout points.

I like doing this walk at sunset as the colors are amazing when the sun is fading over the coast.

I recommend taking the stairs down to Moonstone Beach for sure, which is about halfway to the end. This beach is stunning with a large section of sand and rocks out in the water where the waves crash.

From here continue on, and you can see some tide pools if the tide schedule is right.

This whole boardwalk parallels many of the area’s hotels, so if you are looking for a nice place to stay then hotels like the Sea Otter Inn are great options for a relaxing weekend.

The trail ends near Leffingwell Creek and Leffingwell State Landing Park, the latter of which is one of my favorite spots for sunset in Cambria.

From here you can sit and relax on the beach or start making your way back to where you parked.

As you can no doubt see, this is a beautiful area for a walk along the central coast. Again, if you don’t want to walk the entire thing you can pull off anywhere on Moonstone Beach Drive and check out a portion as well.

Let me know what you think of this spot in the comments.

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Downtown Cambria has a lot of great restaurants like Robins and Black Cat Bistro, but for me it is hard to beat Linn’s. The traditional American style food and the fantastic olallieberry that they grow on their farm and put on everything is enough to keep me coming back when I am in the area. If you are looking for a good meal or just a slice of pie, read on for all the information.

Details

• Cost: $15 – $20
• Hours: Daily, 8 AM – 9:30 PM
• Location: 2277 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428

Getting There

From Highway 1 North you will turn right on Cambria Drive and then right again on Main Street. Linn’s is a few miles down on the left-hand side. There is street parking around and a small lot in the back.

The Restaurant

Linn’s is in an old brick building that sits prominently in downtown Cambria. It has a large seating area for dining in and a room with all of the deserts if you wanted to take something to go.

I normally just grab a slice of pie since I am usually passing through town, but I sat down for dinner the last time I was there, and I am glad I did.

The menu has a range of items with lots of choices for vegetarians as well, here is what my wife and I ordered.

Bread with Ollaliberry Preserves – The ollaliberry is why you come to Linn’s, and it’s awesome to have it served as a free appetizer. The preserves are sweet and full of flavor, and they pair it with a savory grilled bread. I am a huge fan of this as it is different then you would expect but really good.

Chicken Pot Pie – The pot pie features the famous pie crust that makes Linn’s ollaliberry pie so good. Served like a slice of cake instead of the traditional circular dish, it is the perfect home cooked taste that works well on a cold night. Savory and lightly spiced, the chicken melts in your mouth, and the crust adds a nice light crunch to the dish. Great upscale take on the traditional pot pie.

Polenta with Roasted Vegetables – Legit comfort vegetarian food, if that is even a thing. The vegetables are served bed of polenta and then covered with cheese and sun-dried tomato sauce. The sauce is almost sweet, and it pairs well with the grilled veggies. It’s like fresh and unhealthy at the same time.

Ollaliberry Pie – Ollaliberries are 2/3’s blackberry and 1/3 raspberry but 3/3’s amazing. I don’t usually love pie, but I love this pie. Sweet but not too sweet and the berries are still a little tart. I have come here many times for this, and if you are in the area, it’s worth just grabbing a slice to try. Of course, warmed up with ice cream is the best way to have it.

As you can see, Linn’s is a pretty great place for a meal. I am glad I took the time to eat there and not just stop for the pie, and I recommend you do the same next time you are in Cambria. Let me know what you think in the comments.

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California’s Central Coast has many lighthouses you can tour, and what I like about them is that each one is a lot different than the others. The Point San Luis Lighthouse is one of the most unique since it looks like an old Victorian house, instead of the traditional tall cylinder shape of the lighthouses you are used to seeing. You can only access it via a guided tour that happens twice a week, here is all the information.

Details

• Cost: $20
• Tours happen via hiking or trolly
• Location: 1 Lighthouse Rd, Avila Beach, CA 93424

Getting There

When you book a tour, they will send you information about where to meet for the trolly to take you up to the lighthouse.

The Tour

After arriving for the trolly tour, I parked in the parking lot and got on the trolly. Right at 1 PM we left with a full car and took the 15-minute ride to the lighthouse.

Just the ride there is impressive as it goes along a one lane road and gains elevation with great views of the coast.

Our guide told us all about the history of the area as we drove and it was informative and interesting.

Going around the last bend, you will see the lighthouse structure below you as you continue untill the trolley reaches its turn around point. From here we were broken into three groups of seven and each given a tour guide before setting out.

My group stayed outside first and saw the old kale plants on the side of the hill that had been grown by a past resident.

From there we went into the house and immediately up to the lighthouse tower.

Our guide warned us not to go if anyone was claustrophobic as the tower is cramped and it is accessed via a trap door.

It was pretty small and hot in there with all the people, but we didn’t stay long, and it was an excellent viewpoint of the coast. The light is not in there anymore, but you get to see it at the end of the tour.

It should be noted that the other guides were in different parts of the house so this tour might not be the same as yours if you go on one.

From here we headed to the main house and went to the old kitchen first.

Next, we went down the stairs into the basement which was made of brick.

Heading upstairs, we then entered the dining room and the living room, taking time to stop and talk about each.

In the living room, we got to look at a stereoscope which was fun as I had never seen one before.

The last stop in the house was the upstairs bedrooms.

These were made to look like what they would have in the early to mid-1900’s, and it was fun to see the vintage tools, toys, and furniture.

After exiting the house, we went into the shed, and from there we got to see old photos of the lighthouse before looking at the actual lens.

The lens was in a special room kept at a specific temperature, and it was lit with a small bulb, which I had not seen at many of the other lighthouses I visited.

It was fun to be able to see it up close, and after we spent time looking at it, the tour came to an end.

The trolley was waiting for us when we got back, and we started the 15-minute drive back to where we parked our car. All in all, it was about 2 hours to drive out, take the tour and get back to the car. This was an excellent lighthouse tour and one that I recommend if you want to learn about the history of the Central Coast. Let me know what you think in the comments.

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San Luis Obispo is a fun town located between the coastal communities of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay. It is a great spot to spend a few days with lots of shopping and places to explore like the Gum Wall, Madonna Inn and Bishop’s Peak. On a recent trip, we decided to hike to Cerro San Luis though, which is one of the nine sisters (nine volcanic mountains ending at Morro Rock). The hike is a great way to get the blood pumping and to get an excellent view of the city and the mountains surrounding it. Here is all the information.

Details

• 4 miles
• 500 feet of elevation
• Location: Trailhead is at the Charles A and Mary R Maino Open Space area

Getting There

From Highway 101 South, you will want to get off on Marsh Street and turn right, make another quick right on an unmarked dirt road and you will see a small parking area next to the trailhead.

The Trail

From the parking lot, you will head past the gate and the information plaque before starting the trail. I would recommend looking at the trail map as there are a few bends and you want to make sure you take the right ones.

From here the trail starts heading up, and it is actually pretty steep from the get-go.  At the first split, stay left and head up through all the cactus dotting the sides of the trail around you.

The trail continues its steep uphill climb, take your time as you make your way up.

Eventually, it will hit another junction, and you will want to stay left on the M Trail. You will break from the M Trail as you get higher up though as this trail takes you to the large M that is on the mountain (which is why people call it Madonna Mountain even though that is not what it stands for), so if you don’t have as much time, you can always do that and not the summit.

From here the trail continues around the back of the mountain before crossing through another gate and then becoming a wide dirt road.

You will follow the dirt road the rest of the way up, so it is hard to get lost.

As the road continues to gain elevation, it gives way to beautiful views, especially looking west towards Bishops Peak.

The gradual incline is nice as you continue up, especially since the first part of the trail was pretty steep. The road continues to bend as it makes its way along the hillside.

Eventually, it will split when you are close to the top, and a large hill is in the middle of the trail.

It doesn’t matter which way you go as both will take you around the hill towards the summit.

When you reach the summit you will be where they hold Easter service each year, so we saw a large stage that was still there and the white pole that becomes a cross during the service.

Walking up to the white pole is the official summit, and the 360-degree views are incredible.

It was crazy windy, so we didn’t stay too long, but it was a nice hike and one that I plan to do again. If you live in the area, it is a good training hike as well.

Let me know what you think in the comments and be sure to hike a few of the nine sisters like Bishops Peak and Black Hill if you are looking to do some more exploring in the area.

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In the central part of California, there is only one place where you can drive your vehicle on the beach, and that is in Oceano / Pismo Beach. This stretch of sand is accessible to any car (but you want to take a 4WD if you can, so that you don’t get stuck and get a costly tow bill) and it features a campground that lets you sleep right on the sand. I finally got a chance to check it out and here is all the information.

Details

• $5 to enter the area
• They will let any car in, but it’s on you if you get stuck and I wouldn’t recommend you chance it without at least an AWD vehicle
• Location: 100 Pier Ave, Oceano, CA 93445

Getting There

You can access the beach in two spots, either Grand Ave or Pier Ave. I went to Pier Ave, but you can go in one and out the other as long as you pay the $5 fee.

Driving on the Beach

After paying our fee, we drove past the small parking area and restrooms before getting out onto the sand. I will note that there was a tow truck just sitting in the parking lot there, so people must get stuck a lot.

We headed down near the water and tried to stay on the dark part of the sand (not the wet part and not the dry part). The sand was packed down pretty well though so it was easy to navigate and it never felt like we would get stuck.

We drove about 2 miles down and eventually got to a place where the water was rushing through to the ocean. We didn’t have much time, so this was where we turned around, but you have to go through here to get to the campground. I am sure most of the year there is not much water here.

Even though we were rushed for time, it was still a fantastic experience that I am so glad I got to have. I can’t believe it has taken me so long to get down here and do this and I can’t wait to go back.

Check it out if you have the right vehicle and let me know what you think in the comments.

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North of Hearst Castle in San Simeon sits the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, which is a beautiful, historic lighthouse that is accessible via guided tour only. The tours happen twice a week, and I was able to take one a little while back. It was a fun time exploring this old lighthouse, but it did take almost three hours, so know that going in. Here is all the information.

Details

• Cost: $10
• Tours on Tuesday and Thursday, more information here
• Location: 15950 Cabrillo Hwy, San Simeon, CA 93452

Getting There

For the tours, they usually ask you to meet at the old motel in San Simeon (check your email with your tour confirmation to be sure though). From here you caravan over to the lighthouse and they open the gate to let you in. You will then proceed to the parking lot and start the tour.

The Tour

We were broken into two groups of 8 or so and both groups set out to explore different areas.

We started near the old lighthouse, learning about its past and the history of the region.

From here we headed into the old cement building which is one of the oldest buildings on the coast, even though it doesn’t look like much.

Next, we headed across the small road and went into the old shed that they were repairing. This is a beautiful old brick building and it had a bunch of historic photos of the lighthouse.

Our guide told us about how each lighthouse had a different light combination so that ships knew which one they were near. I had never thought about this before but it made sense as it would hard to know where you were on the coast without distinguishing features like this.

There was also another small building next door where we talked about the animals that live in the area and we got to see the skull of an elephant seal which was pretty crazy. It was so big!

The tour continues on a small path that walks around the peninsula.

This is a beautiful area and it was whale season so we stopped many times to look for whales.

There was a group that was tracking whale migrations here when we went and they had already seen six that day. Whale season is usually from April to May in this area.

They also had a massive drone for taking photos of the whales to catalog.

The path continued and provided great views of the coast. You could even see elephant seals sunning themselves on the shore in the distance.

We then headed up to all of the old buildings, stopping first at the water tower.

This tower is a replica that was rebuilt less then 10 years ago, but it looks really old.

There is a small gift shop here as well that you can get a souvenier at as well.

Lastly, we headed into the lighthouse itself.

This lighthouse is 120 feet tall and it took 6 months to build in 1875 with over half a million bricks.

You can’t walk up to the top as it is not safe, but you can walk into the bottom floor.

The bottom floor has a bunch of plaques with information on the keepers and what life was like for them.

They also had examples of the different types of lights used at the lighthouse and a bunch more stuff to check out. I wished we would have spent more time here as it was one of the more interesting spots but we had to leave pretty quickly.

If you want to see the actual light, be sure to stop in downtown Cambria where they have it on display.

After exiting the lighthouse, the tour was over, and we got back in our cars and exited the area. I enjoyed exploring the lighthouse but I do wish the tour was a little shorter, as three hours was a long time to spend here. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments.

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Salmon Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall in the southern portion of Big Sur, that is only a short distance off the road, but that features an unmaintained hike to get to its base. With the closures still in effect (as of Spring 2018) this trail is right near where Highway 1 is closed and if you want to see as much as you can from the south during that closure, then driving out here to hike this trail is a good option. Do note that there is a lot of poison oak on the trail so make sure to wear long pants. Here is all the information.

Details

• 1-mile round trip
• Lots of rock hopping and stream crossing
• Hat tip to Hikespeak for showing me this trail

Getting There

According to Google, the trail starts at around these coordinates (35.815415, -121.359149), but you can search for Salmon Creek Falls in Google Maps as well. It is about 5 miles past Ragged Point, heading north on Highway 1. You will reach a large bend in the road right after crossing a small bridge, and there is a dirt pull off where you can park.

The Trail

From the small parking area at the bend, my wife and I followed a little dirt path down to the water. I think looking back there may have been a better trail on the other side of the bridge that might have been easier, but that is not the way we went.

From the water, we followed a use path that went under tree branches and over rocks pretty much the entire way to the falls.

It was not easy and required some rock hopping across the stream, but since it was only about a half mile, we eventually made it to the waterfall.

The 100-foot waterfall is beautiful, with two streams coming down and connecting to create a significant flow.

The water levels were high when we went, so there was no good way to the actual base of the falls, but luckily we could see it well from where we were.

After checking out the falls for a little while we headed back, trying to find a better trail, but ending up just going the way we initially went. It was an adventure avoiding the poison oak, but it was a lot of fun.

Check it out and let me know if you find an official trail in the comments.

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I love visiting unusual places. They are often the places that have earned their spot in California history simply because the owner is trying to do something new. Whether it is a hike, a restaurant, or just a collection of odd things, this list is dedicated specifically to the unique stuff I visit in Southern California (from Kern County down). It will be an ever-expanding and growing list that will hopefully help you to find many fun attractions right outside your door. Also, please feel free to suggest new spots in the comments as well. Browse the list by county and click the image to read about the places you are interested in. Have fun exploring! You can browse spots in Northern California here. Last Updated November 2019 – Click the pictures to read the posts.

San Diego County

Sunny Jim’s Cave

Located directly in La Jolla, Sunny Jim’s Cave is a fun old historic sea cave that you can walk down to and explore.

UCSD Stuart Art Collection

The UCSD campus in San Diego has a large collection of sculptures and art pieces all around campus. The most famous is the house built on the Engineering building which looks like it is teetering on the edge.

Queen Califia Magical Circle

This sculpture garden located in the north part of San Diego County is only open a few days a week but it is a blast to explore. In the middle of a park there is a large collection of colorful sculptures that reminded me of something in Barcelona.

Belmont Park

Belmont Park is San Diego’s beachside amusement park, complete with fair games and an old wooden rollercoaster. It is a fun place for the whole family to spend a day in San Diego.

Harper’s Topiary Garden

This private residence in San Diego has a massive manicured garden right in front of the house. While you can only admire it from the road it is a unique spot to see in San Diego.

Snorkeling with Leopard Sharks

During the month of August, the Leopard sharks traditionally come to give birth in the cove of La Jolla. They are docile creatures, and you can actually grab some snorkel gear and go out and see them. It is a unique experience.

Annie’s Canyon Trail

North of San Diego, this trail features a fun slot canyon that can be explored pretty much in the middle of Solana Beach. The short hike features some tight spaces but it is a lot of fun.

San Diego Statues

These fun statues are located right next to the USS Midway in San Diego, the highlight being the 30-foot tall Unconditional Surrender statue.

Crazee Burger

Ever wanted to eat alligator, kangaroo or antelope? You can do that here.

Potato Chip Rock

Hike to the top of this mountain and see the famous rock with its potato chip wing that you can stand on.

Slot Canyon

A deep slot canyon in the heart of Anza Borrego that allows you access to a hike normally only possible in places like Arizona and Utah.

Whaley House

The Whaley House is considered by many sources one of the most haunted places in America. You can tour it during the day or chance a ghost encounter during a special night visit.

Creation and Earth History Museum

To learn all about the creation of the Earth from the traditional Biblical perspective then a visit to this museum is in order. It is pretty far outside of San Diego, but you can see the Giant Lemon on the way!

Worlds Largest Lemon

Not much here but a stop for a photo at the World Largest Lemon (not proven, but honestly who is arguing?) in the city of Lemon Grove.

Border Field State Park

This place isn’t strange like the others on this list, but it certainly is unique. It is a state park right on the Southernmost part of California and right on the Mexican border. It is worth the trip to see the massive walls and cameras alone.

Churros El Tigre

Do I need to say more than the above picture? If I do then how about I mention that this small little shop outside the food court, near the Mexican border, has an amazing sundae with six churros! Bring a friend and try it.

Imperial County

Salvation Mountain

One mans journey to create a way to show the love of God, which turned into an impressive painted mountain.

East Jesus

A collection of artists that live together and create very unique art pieces in the middle of the desert.

Mud Pools

Bubbling pools of mud in the middle of a big field. You can hear them pop as you walk around.

Ruins of Bombay Beach

This is exactly how it sounds, ruins of an old Salton Sea town on the beach. An amazing stop for urban grunge photographers.

International Banana Museum

Yep, it is exactly what it says, a small one room museum overrun with thousands of banana related items. Make sure to get a banana shake while you are there!

Center of the World

Who knew the “Official” Center of the World was in Southern California!? This fun roadside stop has everything from a church on the hill to an original staircase from the Eiffel Tower. It is worth the stop.

Goat Canyon Trestle

One of the largest freestanding wooden trestles in the entire world is located outside of San Diego deep in the desert. I wouldn’t recommend that many people go find it but read this post to learn more about it.

Desert View Tower

On the main highway through Imperial County sits this historic old tower on a hillside. It is a great spot to walk up and see the views or to visit the boulder park right across the parking lot.

Riverside County

Tios Tacos

Tio’s is a taco shop that is 15% food and 85% crazy art. It is always expanding with new structures, and you can walk around for hours and not see it all.

Shields Date Gardens

Grab yourself a date shake and watch a move on the romance and sex life of the polarizing yet beloved fruit.

Cabazon Dinosaurs

On the 10 freeway near Cabazon are some of the biggest dinosaurs ever made. You can even go inside of them.

Pumpkin Rock

This pumpkin rock is overlooking the city of Norco and is kept up by some of its residents. If you go after it is repainted each year, then you are in for a Halloween treat.

Robolights

During the month of December, Palm Springs lights up with the fantastic creation that is Robolights. I visited for the first time last year, but I think it will become a tradition.

Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art Museum

Located North of Joshua Tree National Park, this art installation is a fun and unique place to explore.

Ruddy’s 1930’s General Store & Museum

In the downtown area of Palm Springs, there is a small one room museum that is designed to look like how a 1930’s general store would have looked. All of the products are authentic and the price to enter is 95 cents.

General Patton Museum

Built on the site of Camp Young, this museum was made to honor General Patton. It has lots of history and loads of tanks.

Orange County

Southern California Redwoods

See redwoods without leaving Southern California by visiting this park in Yorba Linda. The trees here are only 25 years old, but they are still very cool to see.

Prehistoric Pets

For a 5 dollar fee, you can see a crazy amount of reptiles from crocodiles to snakes. They used to have one of the biggest snakes in captivity named Twinkie before it sadly passed away.

Surfin Donuts

Want a maple donut with eggs and bacon in the middle of it? Check out Surfin Donuts.

Victoria Beach

The famous pirate tower of Victoria Beach is one of those historic Southern California places that everyone has to see once. Parking can be tight, and directions are not always great to get to it, but when you find it, you will be happy that you did.

Medieval Times

The campy goodness that is Medieval Times has not lost its charm. I remember being awestruck by the show when I saw it as a kid and I had just as much fun when I went back a few months ago as an adult. It’s a great whole family experience.

Pageant of the Masters

Pageant of the Masters happens in the summer every year and it is a truly Orange County experience. This event features live recreations of famous paintings and you can read more about it here.

Los Angeles County

Bob Baker Marionette Theater

I love this place, and I recommend you make it a family outing. They put on shows with their marionettes a few times a week. The shows are similar to entering a time machine and visiting what a theater was like before technology. They are especially popular during the Christmas season.

Paramount Studio Tour

If you visit Los Angeles, then you really should consider going on a studio tour to see where the movies are made. This is the only one that I have been to but it was a lot of fun and something I enjoyed.

Wurstkuche

Indulge in specialty sausages in downtown Los Angeles, especially ones that are made of rattlesnake and rabbit (just a few of the available meats).

Phantasma Gloria

One man’s art installation in Echo Park. Located right outside his home, this is a great spot to drive by and check out. The way the light shines in the early morning sun makes this installation come to life in sparkling colors.

Clifton’s Cafeteria

Clifton’s Cafeteria is one of the oldest still running cafeterias in the entire USA. It has all of the food you would expect at a cafeteria, but the surrounding building has a two story Redwood, stuffed buffalos and all sorts of other attractions you can eat next to.

Original In-N-Out

Check out the original In-N-Out in Baldwin Park, a super fun spot to stop by and learn about the history of this excellent CA staple.

Dapper Cadaver

This unique store is home to all sorts of creepy crawly things. It is one of the main prop producers for Hollywood horror movies, but you can always tour/buy stuff from it as a consumer as well.

LA Observation Deck

Head up to the top of LA City Hall for a fantastic view of downtown Los Angeles from an angle you haven’t seen before.

Malibu Wine Safari

If you are looking for a fun way to spend a Saturday, why not take a wild animal safari at a Malibu Winery? Yes, you heard that correctly, you get shuttled around to see everything ranging from camels to water buffalo, and you can even feed a zebra. You can also hike it and meet Stanley the Giraffe as well.

Vasquez Rocks

Explore these famous rocks, featured in many Hollywood movies. It is also a great place to spend a day hiking outside the city.

Velaslavasay Panorama 

This awesome old theater harkens to the old days of cinema when the movie was a cranked sequence of images or a panorama that you immerse yourself in. This is a unique spot in LA.

Charlie Brown Farms

This roadside shop literally sells everything. They have the worlds largest beef jerky, chocolate dipped jalapenos, ostrich eggs. A great stop on any road trip.

Strange LA Shops List (Whimsic Alley is closed)

This post on 5 strange and awesome LA shops should help you find the perfect gift for anyone on your list.

Wayfarer’s Chapel 

This glass cathedral is a beautiful and unique place to explore. Be aware that it is often used for weddings so it may be closed during popular times.

Shipwreck Hike 

How often do you get to hike to an old shipwreck off the coast, especially one that is as preserved as well as this one? It is a relatively easy hike, but you will be walking over a ton of rocks. It’s worth it to see the wreckage.

Time Travel Mart

Step back in time with this store that caters to many different time periods and time travelers. You can even buy a shade tree (a seed), and all you have to do is go back in time and plant it!

Great Wall of LA

At about a half mile long, this wall has the painted history of California on it and is a great place for a walk.

Bunny Museum

The couple that owns this “museum” has tens of thousands of bunnies and bunny related things. They are even the Guinness Book of World Records Holder for most bunnies. Call to set up an appointment to visit.

LA Coroner Shop

This small shop in the middle of the coroner’s office has a lot of death related items you can purchase. Everything from a pen to a chalk outline towel.

Museum of Jurassic Technology

A museum that you will not be able to explain when you leave. Trust me; I still cannot describe what I saw there.

Wacko Soap Shop

Another strange store in LA this one has a mind-blowing amount of stuff, everything from crocodile heads to books on steampunk. There is even a famous art area in the back.

Watts Towers

An impressive piece of art in the heart of Watts. It is worth touring and hearing its unique history as it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Old LA Zoo

Hang out and have a picnic in the left over old cages for what used to be the LA Zoo.

Murphy’s Ranch

Visit a ranch that was created for when the Nazi’s took over the United States. That clearly did not happen, but this unique structure still stands.

Bridge to Nowhere

Hike 5 miles to a bridge that literally was built in the middle of nowhere and connects nothing. As an added bonus you can bungee jump off of it.

Will Richards Studio in Catalina

Located on the island of Catalina this small art studio is a fun place to explore on a very touristy island.

Antelope Vally Poppy Reserve

During the spring the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve becomes a carpet of orange as far as the eye can see. It is a beautiful place that you much visit at least once.

Twisted Oaks Tavern

Twisted Oaks Tavern in Thousand Oaks is home to Hogzilla, which is a full braised pig head that you can order to share with 6-8 people.

Dodgers Stadium

On days when there is not a game, you can still visit Dodger Stadium and shop at the store. This also allows you to look down on the field from above, which is kind of cool.

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is home to rides, food, and attractions. It is also the end point of the famous Route 66, which makes it a great place explore that is full of history.

King Hawaiian Bakery

I am sure you have seen the King’s Hawaiian bread in the stores. It has been a staple of many family sandwiches over the years, and the bakery is located in Los Angeles County in the city of Torrance. They have a diner you can visit with lots of different types of bread and pastries you can take home.

LA Waterfront Harbor Tour

The LA Waterfront is located in the city of San Pedro, near Long Beach, and it is one of the busiest shipping areas in the United States. You can take a boat tour of the harbor, and it is enjoyable to see the boats being unloaded as well as the famous lighthouse and bridge.

Turtle Racing at Brennan’s

For over 40 years, Brennan’s in Marina Del Rey has been doing turtle racing every Thursday night. If you visit the bar after 10 PM, you will see hundreds of people lining up to cheer on their turtles and partake in the craziness.

Queen Mary Haunted Ghost Encounter

The Queen Mary is just fun to explore in general, but the strange ghost history is what truly makes this boat unique. They have a tour that plays up all of that history, and that takes you into some of the inner parts of the boat that you can’t usually see.

Tour the Sriracha Factory

I am sure you have tried or at least seen the famous red bottle with the green top and the chicken on the front of it. It has been a condiment staple for years, and you can tour the factory daily. The best time to visit though is in the fall when they have the open house for chili grinding, do note that tickets can go fast though.

Catalina Casino

The Catalina Casino is a historic building on Catalina island with a storied history. While it only has events occasionally now, you can still visit the theater to see a movie and can take a tour of the building daily.

San Bernardino County

Mitchell Caverns

The Mitchell Caverns are the best show caves you can see in Southern California. This beautiful cave system was closed for 7 years but has recently been reopened and you can sign up to tour it again. Read more here.

Alpine Slide

Big Bear’s alpine slide is a blast for the whole family as it allows you to try out bobsledding on a large cement track. Read more about it here.

Elmers Bottletree Ranch

Elmer’s ranch is a great place to take pictures and admire the dozens of metal trees made from poles and bottles. I for one love this place, and it is one of the best spots on California’s portion of Route 66.

Desert Christ Park

A collection of many different sculptures of Jesus‘ time on Earth, all made out of plaster. The main highlight being a massive “last supper” sculpture that you can add yourself into.

Original McDonalds Museum

Located on old Route 66 this museum is the home of the original McDonalds. It has since been torn down, but the museum collects the history of this iconic food shop.

Zzyzx Road

That road everyone sees but no one stops at on the drive to Vegas. It has a unique history of once being a healing center.

Baker Thermometer and North Pole Discoverer Statue

I know you were wondering…yes, you can check both of these off your bucket list in one stop in the town of Baker!

Logan’s Candies

Who doesn’t want to see how candy canes are made? During the Christmas season, this is the place to be for their nightly demonstrations on the art of creating a candy cane, plus you get a warm one afterward.

Randsburg General Store

For a trip back in time, pull off Highway 395 and visit the Randsburg General Store. This small town has one main street, tons of abandoned mines and a general store that sells soda the old-fashioned way, with phosphates.

Lava Tube in Mojave National Preserve

One of my favorite places for photography, the lava tube in Mojave is a crazy place to explore. It is one you will tell your friends about.

Amboy Crater 

This hike is right in the town of Amboy, which is fun to visit in its own right, and crosses a lava field up to an old dormant volcano. It is a great hike, but not in the summer.

Big Bear’s Gold Fever Trail

In the town of Big Bear, you can take an offroad adventure which takes you back in time to the gold rush history present in the mountains. While not a lot is left from the trail to see, it is still worth the trip if you have four wheel drive.

Santa Barbara County

Cold Springs Tavern

This little restaurant in the mountains above Santa Barbara has been here for over a century and is a fantastic spot to have a meal.

Ostrich Land

Who doesn’t want to feed ostriches? You can do it here, and you can even take home ostrich jerky if you feel so inclined.

Gaviota Wind Caves

These caves overlooking Highway One, about 45 minutes North of Santa Barbara, are a pretty crazy place for a hike. The wind has carved them over thousands of years.

Knapp’s Castle

In the hills above Santa Barbara, Knapps Castle sits in ruins of its former majestic self. This mansion burned down in 1945, but what is remaining can still be hiked to and is a fantastic spot for photography.

One Thousand Steps Beach

This beach is one of my favorite spots in Santa Barbara to watch the sunset. The horrible parking situation always makes it seem like a remote beach when you make it to the bottom of the long staircase. It is a worthy adventure in the city.

Ventura County

Jolly Oyster

If you are getting hungry, why not bike up to this beach stand that sells fresh oysters? They are delicious, and I was a huge fan.

Santa Cruz Island

One of the most memorable adventures you can have in California is booking a trip over to Channel Islands National Park and taking the time to explore one of the many islands. Santa Cruz is the best for camping, and I have a ton of info on what to do if you click the above image.

San Luis Obispo County

Driving on the Beach in Pismo

Driving on the sand is such a fun experience to have in California. One of the best spots to do it at is Pismo Beach. You can read all about it here.

Madonna Inn

With no two rooms the same, a urinal fountain and massive pieces of cake, there is a lot to love at this eclectic hotel.

Bubblegum Alley

For decades this alley in San Luis Obispo has been collecting bubble gum from passersby. It is a unique place to leave your own chewed piece and to just marvel at the germs.

Monarch Butterfly Grove

From December to January, this Pismo Beach monarch butterfly grove turns into a home for a massive amount of Monarchs. When I was there, it was estimated that 30,000 butterflys were as well.

Sea Lions in Port San Luis

In Avila, right near Pismo Beach, you can get up close and personal with sea lions. This small stair case right at the end of the pier will get you as close as you want to be, but be careful they bite.

Nitt Witt Ridge

The Hearst Castle of trash is a fun jaunt off Pacific Coast Highway that you can tour multiple times a day. It is exceptionally eclectic — making it perfect for this list.

Luffa Farm

Learn about how this overlooked vegetable is grown and harvested on an actual luffa farm. You can even buy and take one home, making this a fun and unique spot.

Kern County

Tule Elk Reserve

This gets added to the list just because I went to see the elk and simply saw nothing and no one, so I thought it was a pretty strange experience.

The Cat House

This rehabilitation center for cats is an amazing place to see these animals up close.

So there you have it, my massive list. I will be adding more often and would love to hear your suggestions in the comments. Browse Northern California spots here.

The post The Big List of Strange, Fun & Unique Attractions in Southern California appeared first on California Through My Lens.

California is full of fun things to do during the fall season; you can visit a pumpkin patch, see fall colors in the Eastern Sierra, or visit the coastal town of Cambria to enjoy their scarecrow festival. This festival has been a part of the town’s fall season for 13 years now, and each October, dozens of scarecrows are created by people around the city and put on display out front of many local businesses. The festival runs throughout October, so it may be a little late to see it this year, but I just wanted to introduce the festival and encourage you to visit Cambria next year to see it. Let me know what you think of this event in the comments, and here is all the information.

Details

• It runs from Oct 1 – Oct 31
• Best seen during the day
• Free parking around the town
• Information from my visit in 2021

Getting There

The scarecrow festival happens all over the town of Cambria, with a few even out on Moonstone Drive. The main section is the downtown area, with a bunch near the old lighthouse lens and a bunch near Linn’s / Robins (two famous restaurants in town). I would recommend heading to either of those locations and just walking around. The city puts out a map as well, which you can see here.

The Scarecrow Festival

This post is from my visit in 2021, so if you visit in the following year, most of these scarecrows will be different. This information should help you figure out how to make the most of the even though.

I headed to Linn’s first and found parking near the restaurant. From there, I walked Main Street outside of Linns and saw about a half dozen scarecrows while walking.

The highlight was the pig scarecrow or the Frankenstein and bride scarecrow by the bank.

After seeing those, head down towards the Cambria Historical Museum. This is the main area with most of the scarecrows in this part of town.

Here they had 15 or so of the scarecrows all displayed around the yard.

After exploring this area, head to the end of Burton Drive, where they had my favorite scarecrow, Gandalf (from the Lord of the Rings).

This was an impressive one, as it was detailed and looked like the character. It was probably the highlight for me.

After that, I left this area and drove towards the other part of downtown. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled, as there were another ten or so along the drive.

One of the highlights was the intricate Noah’s Ark display, which had Noah and many sets of animals standing in front of him.

Heading on, there were scarecrows of first responders, witches, and even a Bigfoot about a block further.

After exploring this area, I grabbed a slice of pie for later and headed back towards the other downtown part of Cambria near the lighthouse lens they have on display.

This section had lots of different scarecrow exhibits, with the main one featuring a scene from the movie coco. My favorite was the cow though but there were a lot of impressive ones in this area.

Continuing down Main Street, there were a few more outside the businesses near Arlington Street, with a fairy and Kermit the frog being the highlights. I walked around here a little more but there was not a lot to see here.

Heading on, as you pass the Shell station on the right you will see a large lot and be greeted with the largest collection of scarecrows this year, which was all pirate-themed.

This section had the most amount of people exploring with me and it was a lot of fun to see all of these scarecrows here.

It was very intricate with a pirate Johnny Depp going down with the ship and tentacles attacking the boat.

I spent a decent amount of time here looking at all of these.

From here, you can drive Moonstone Beach Drive if you would like. There were only a few on this part of the drive, but the seahorse scarecrow was really well done. Plus, Moonstone Beach Drive is just amazing anyway.

In 2021 the city of Cambria also partnered with San Simeon, a neighboring community, and there was one last display of scarecrows there.

This display was called storybook and had many classic characters from Snow White, Wizard of Oz, and the Old Lady and the Shoe.

They even had characters from Star Wars, which seemed a little odd in the “storybook land” but was cool to see.

The seven dwarves from Snow White were especially impressive in this section.

After exploring this area my 2 hours of scarecrow hunting was done. I decided to head back to one of my favorite spots in Cambria to end my time in the city.

Overall, there were many more scarecrows than I anticipated, check it out if you get the chance, and let me know what you think in the comments.

The post Cambria Scarecrow Festival in October Along the Central Coast appeared first on California Through My Lens.