The Weird Wonders Hiding in Plain Sight (2025)

With an overwhelming diversity of places to see, California has something for everyone. But I would like to focus on places that are more unusual, so here is a list of recommendations for some of the most unique places to visit in California.

The Golden State is loved for its perpetually sunny weather, the stunning combination of mountains and coastline, and the all-around good vibes. 

There’s no doubt you know all about the cool places in California, the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, the impressive Golden Gate Bridge, and the natural splendor of Yosemite. 

But what about the ‘secret’ places in California? The lesser-known spots, the hidden gems? That’s what we’re interested in, so I’ve put together a guide of the most unique places to visit on your next Californian getaway.

Unusual Places and Hidden Gems in California

From exploring wine country on an epic California road trip, to chasing waterfalls in one of the many beautiful state parks, there is no shortage of amazing things to see in the Golden State.

Let’s dive into some of the hidden spots to find some unique things to do in California.

Capitola, Santa Cruz County

Capitola is very close to Santa Cruz, and it’s definitely worth a visit while you are in the area. There is so much to do that you could easily spend a couple of days here.

The oldest seaside resort on the Pacific Coast, Capitola started its life as ‘Camp Capitola’ in 1876 and over time it grew into “Capitola by the Sea,” a holiday spot with a 160-room hotel.

The iconic and colourful Venetian Court is a thing of beauty, and you can admire it and take photos from the beach side. You can enjoy the quiet but beautiful Capitola Wharf, go wine tasting at Arminda Winery Tasting Room and ride a funicular to dinner at Shadowbrook Restaurant.

If you are on a California road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway, make sure you take a detour to visit Capitola. You won’t regret it.

Salvation Mountain, Calipatria

A monument created by local visionary Leonard Knight, Salvation Mountain is a tribute to all things God and their gift of love to the world.

Located 100 miles east of San Diego, the idea of this artwork was conceived back in the 70s when Knight painted the message ‘God is Love’ on a hot air ballon. The balloon failed to fly, so instead he built decided to build a mountain instead.

This Southern California hidden gem is made of adobe clay mixed with straw and paint, lots of bright and colorful paint. It is 50 foot high and it’s one of the most surprising and unique places to visit in California.

Santa Catalina Island

This island is reminiscent of a Mediterranean isle, only 30 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. It’s small, only 22 miles long, and is perfect to explore by golf cart — a popular activity. 

There are plenty of snorkeling spots to discover the multi-colored reefs and marine life. As well as a zipline and even a semi-submarine cruise. Head out onto the water on a paddleboard, kayak at Avalon Canyon, or embark on the spectacular Trans-Catalina Trail. 

You can reach Catalina Island via a high-speed ferry in just one hour. The Catalina Express departs from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point, while the Catalina Flyer departs from Newport Beach. 

Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara

If you’re looking for a grape day out with a laid-back atmosphere and an impressive diversity of wines, this is the place to go. 

The climate changes from chilly and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east. This means that silky Pinot Noirs, smoky Syrahs, and buttery Chardonnays thrive in the colder climates, while earthy Bordeaux and peppery Zinfandels flourish in the east. 

The area offers you an incredible journey through diverse wines without the stifling pretentiousness that’s usually associated with wine country. It’s also affordable and downright beautiful — what more could you want? 

Treat yourself with a Santa Barbara wine tour that visits four unique wineries for tastings. 

Muir Woods, San Francisco

California has no shortage of spectacular state parks, for when the mountains are calling and you must go. This magical park is named after, and dedicated to, renowned conservationist and father of national parks, John Muir. 

Here you can meander among ancient redwoods, and choose between several hiking trails that wind under the tree canopies. It’s completely off the grid, offering the perfect opportunity to disconnect and commune with nature. 

Parking is quite limited and reservations are required, so book your parking spot in advance or visit the park with public transport. 

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles

Even if the idea of stargazing and storytelling doesn’t thrill you, Griffith Observatory is worth the visit for the panoramic views over Los Angeles. Here you can ponder the night sky through free use of the public telescope.

Otherwise, check out one of the fascinating exhibits or sit in on a 15-minute presentation about understanding light. 

It’s fun and educational and you can turn it into an adventure by hiking to the Observatory. There are a couple of trail options, including the 2.6-mile round trip Ferndell Trail and the 2.1-mile West Observatory Trail. 

Or you can enjoy an alternative view of Griffith Observatory from Brush Canyon Trail, one of the best hikes in Southern California.

Glass Beach, Fort Bragg

Glass Beach is a beautiful spot located near Fort Bragg, in the Mendocino Coast. As the name suggests, the beach is covered with small pieces of glass smoothed out by the eroding effect of the sea, giving it a colorful and sparkly appearance.

In the early 20th century it was a dumping site where local residents disposed of their trash, which included a lot of glass. It is now completely clean and safe and what was once a dumping ground, is now one of the most unique sites in California. 

Sadly, the amount of sea glass has been depleted over the years due to visitors collecting the colorful sea glass and taking them home.

It is not only illegal to remove it from the beach, but it is harmful to the environment too, so please visit Glass Beach to admire the beautiful sea glass but leave it for others to enjoy.

Sonora, Tuolumne County

Founded in 1848, Sonora was one of the first mining camps in Gold Country, and it became one of the largest and most prosperous.

The town was known as ‘Queen of the Southern Mines’, and it was built on the wealth generated by mining. This heritage is still very much present.

Walk along the main street, Washington Street, and you will see buildings from the Gold Rush era as well as other architectural styles – Victorian, Mission and even Art Deco.

There is one particular vestige of its Gold Rush mining past that has now become one of the quirky things to do in Gold Country. A visit to Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain, a charming bar that hides a secret. 

Below this unique bookshop you will find part of the old gold mine shafts that run below the surface of the town. Buy a book, grab a coffee or a soda, and sit down to enjoy this unique and enchanting place.

Solvang Village, Santa Barbara

Is it Denmark or California? This Scandinavian village tops the list of hidden gems in Santa Barbara. The colorful and quirky town will make you feel like you’ve stumbled on Santa’s hideout only to find out that it’s a whole lot warmer than you expected. 

Early Dutch and Danish settlers determined to preserve their heritage established the village in 1910. Today, it’s a charming spot that gives you the opportunity to ‘travel’ to Europe on a day trip from Los Angeles. 

Watch out for the horse-drawn carriages as you stroll between European architecture and windmills. Pick up some traditional Danish baked goods and feast on Scandinavian cuisine. This little village is an ideal spot to spend a couple of hours exploring. 

It’s definitely one of the most unique things to do in Southern California, and while you’re there you can visit museums that will tell you all about how this village came to be. 

Visit during the month of September for their Danish Days festival, during which there are parades, Danish food, and live music. Or visit during Christmas to see the streets lit up with cheerful decorations, and when it becomes one of the top Christmas vacation spots in the US.

Hot Creek Geological Site, Mono County

Mammoth Lakes boast some of the best hikes in Northern California, so why not soothe your wandering body in one of the several hot springs peppered around Mammoth Lake after a long walk? It’s certainly one of the most unique places to visit in California.

These natural hot rock baths are part of Hot Creek Geological Site and they are dotted around the base of Mammoth Mountain make for the perfect post-hike soak. They remind me of the hot pools in Myvatn in Iceland. Although you can’t really get in the water there.

When you explore the area you’ll stumble upon jacuzzi-sized rock features with deliciously-warm water. Some are clothing optional, such as Pulkey’s Pool, and others offer a couple of hot pools to choose from, such as Wild Willy’s. 

Wallowing in the warm waters with a view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains under the vast skies may just be one of the coolest things to do in California. 

Underground tunnels, Los Angeles

14 years of prohibition didn’t turn Los Angeles into a town of teetotalers — the parties simply moved underground.

While unbeknownst citizens above ground were forced to go dry, corrupt city officials utilized 11 miles of service tunnels as passageways to basement speakeasies.

In the belly of LA, the mysterious tunnel network didn’t just serve as a booze boulevard. There are stories of mobsters stashing bodies, police transporting prisoners, and even banks using these networks to move large sums of money. 

If you’re looking for unusual and fun things to do in California, check out Cartwheel Art’s walking tours. It’s one of the only organizations in LA to have permission to explore the privately-owned portions of the tunnels. 

Which of these unique places to visit in California will you try first?

From outdoor paradises to downright weird, there are some seriously cool and crazy things to do in California. If you’re heading to the Golden State, why not add some of these to your itinerary to shake things up and do something a little different?

What else would you add to this list of unique places to visit in California?
Let me know in the comments!

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