California is dwelling to many iconic landmarks and points of interest, from the Golden Gate Bridge to Disneyland. However, there are additionally many distinctive and quirky California roadside points of interest that may be discovered all through the state. These points of interest usually seize the creativeness of vacationers and supply a enjoyable and memorable expertise. Whether it’s an enormous dinosaur, a towering thermometer, or a museum devoted to crocheting, these California roadside points of interest supply a glimpse into the varied and eclectic tradition of the state.
In this record, we’ll discover 20 of probably the most fascinating and entertaining roadside points of interest within the Golden State.
Cabazon Dinosaurs – Cabazon, California
Cabazon Dinosaurs is a beloved roadside attraction situated in Cabazon, California, a small desert metropolis situated in Riverside County, about 20 miles west of Palm Springs and 90 miles east of L.A. This California roadside attraction options two towering dinosaur sculptures, that are each distinctive and quirky, in addition to its historic significance in popular culture.
The Madonna Inn – San Luis Obispo
The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo is a unusual and colourful roadside attraction that has been charming guests since 1958. From its distinctive structure to its vibrant and eclectic decor, the inn is a testomony to the creativity and imaginative and prescient of its founder, Alex Madonna. The inn’s 110 rooms are every uniquely adorned, that includes all the pieces from rock partitions and velvet upholstery to themed suites just like the Caveman Room and the Old Mexico Room. With its charming ambiance, enjoyable facilities, and gorgeous environment, The Madonna Inn is a must-see vacation spot for anybody touring by way of central California.
The Giant Artichoke – Castroville, California
The Giant Artichoke in Castroville is a well-liked California roadside attraction situated within the coronary heart of the “Artichoke Capital of the World.” Castroville is a small city situated in Monterey County, simply off of Highway 1. The Giant Artichoke is a 20-foot-tall artichoke statue that has change into a logo of the city’s agricultural heritage and its standing as a serious producer of artichokes. Visitors can discover the adjoining reward store and restaurant, which supply quite a lot of artichoke-themed souvenirs and scrumptious dishes made with contemporary, regionally grown artichokes. With its distinctive and quirky appeal, The Giant Artichoke is a must-see attraction for anybody touring alongside the scenic California shoreline.
World’s Largest Thermometer – Baker, California
The World’s Largest Thermometer is an iconic roadside attraction situated alongside the historic Route 66. Standing at a towering top of 134 toes, the thermometer serves as a tribute to the acute temperatures that may be discovered within the Mojave Desert. The thermometer was first in-built 1991 by Willis Herron as a approach to promote his journey heart, and it has since change into a beloved landmark for vacationers passing by way of the world. The thermometer is absolutely useful and might show temperatures as much as 134 levels Fahrenheit, which is the very best temperature ever recorded within the United States. The World’s Largest Thermometer is a worthy California roadside attraction resulting from its distinctive and quirky design, in addition to its historic significance as a tribute to Route 66 and the American West.
The Big Donut Drive-In – Inglewood, California
The Big Donut Drive-In is a charming roadside attraction that has been serving up scrumptious donuts and occasional since 1950. Located simply off of the historic Route 66, the drive-in is inconceivable to overlook because of its iconic large donut signal, which stands at 32 toes tall and 10 toes huge. The donut store has been featured in quite a few films and TV reveals, together with “Iron Man 2” and “Mad Men,” and it has change into a beloved native landmark for residents and guests alike. The Big Donut Drive-In’s traditional American diner vibe and scrumptious, freshly baked donuts make it a must-visit vacation spot for anybody touring by way of Southern California.
Bubblegum Alley, San Luis Obispo
Bubblegum Alley is a novel and quirky roadside attraction that has been drawing guests for the reason that Fifties. The alley is strictly what it feels like: a slim pedestrian alleyway that’s utterly coated in used chewing gum. Visitors are inspired so as to add their very own piece of gum to the wall, making a continually evolving murals. While the origins of Bubblegum Alley are unclear, it has change into a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers and locals alike, with some estimates placing the variety of items of gum on the partitions at over a million. Despite its unconventional nature, Bubblegum Alley is a beloved a part of San Luis Obispo’s historical past and tradition, and it’s properly value a go to for anybody passing by way of the world.
The World Famous Crochet Museum – Joshua Tree, California
The World Famous Crochet Museum is a one-of-a-kind California roadside attraction that celebrates the artwork of crochet. The museum is housed inside a tiny, 7-foot-by-7-foot roadside stand, and it’s dwelling to an enormous assortment of crochet items, together with all the pieces from hats and scarves to animals and home goods. The museum was based in 2006 by artist Shari Elf, who started filling the tiny area together with her personal crochet creations earlier than opening it as much as contributions from different artists and fans around the globe. While the museum could also be small, its dedication to celebrating the creativity and artistry of crochet has made it a beloved vacation spot for guests to Joshua Tree and past.
The Salton Sea – Imperial and Riverside Counties
The Salton Sea is an attention-grabbing roadside attraction in California resulting from its distinctive and complicated historical past and pure options. Located within the southeastern a part of the state, the Salton Sea is an enormous and shallow saltwater lake that was created by chance in 1905 when the Colorado River breached an irrigation canal. Over the years, the Salton Sea has gone by way of intervals of growth and bust, with the encircling space as soon as being a well-liked resort vacation spot within the Fifties and 60s. Today, the Salton Sea is an interesting ecological and environmental website, with its excessive salt content material and growing air pollution ranges making it a difficult setting for wildlife to thrive in. Despite its challenges, the Salton Sea stays a well-liked vacation spot for photographers, birdwatchers, and nature fans, and its stark and otherworldly magnificence continues to captivate guests from around the globe.
Eclectic California Roadside Attractions in Slab City and Salvation Mountain
Slab City/Salvation Mountain is among the most attention-grabbing and eclectic California roadside points of interest within the state. Located only a quick distance from the Salton Sea, Slab City is a novel and offbeat neighborhood of artists, musicians, and free spirits who’ve made their dwelling in a former navy base. At the guts of Slab City is Salvation Mountain, a vibrant and colourful artwork set up that’s devoted to spreading love and the message of Christianity. Created by artist Leonard Knight over a interval of a number of a long time, the mountain is made totally out of adobe, straw, and hundreds of gallons of brightly coloured paint. Together, Slab City and Salvation Mountain supply a glimpse into a really different lifestyle, and their unconventional magnificence and spirit of freedom and creativity have made them a beloved vacation spot for vacationers from around the globe.
The Integratron, Landers
The Integratron is a exceptional roadside attraction situated in Landers, California, only a few miles north of Joshua Tree National Park. It is a white dome-shaped construction made totally of wooden and designed to boost human potential by way of sound, meditation, and different types of different therapeutic. The Integratron was constructed within the Fifties by George Van Tassel, who claimed to have acquired the design for the construction from aliens. The distinctive structure and its historical past, coupled with the promise of an otherworldly expertise, make the Integratron an intriguing and widespread vacation spot for vacationers and religious seekers alike. Visitors can take part in sound baths, meditation classes, and benefit from the surrounding desert panorama, making the Integratron an unforgettable roadside attraction.
The Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz
The Mystery Spot is among the finest California roadside points of interest as a result of it presents a novel and mind-bending expertise that guests can’t discover wherever else. Located in the midst of a dense forest, the Mystery Spot is an space of land the place the legal guidelines of physics appear to be distorted. Visitors can witness unusual optical illusions, corresponding to objects showing to roll uphill, folks showing to vary heights, and water flowing uphill. The website’s historical past is shrouded in thriller, including to the attract of the attraction. It’s a well-liked vacation spot for these in search of a bit of pleasure and surprise, and the employees gives an entertaining and informative tour of the world. The Mystery Spot can also be conveniently situated close to different widespread points of interest, together with the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and scenic coastal drives, making it a really perfect addition to any California street journey itinerary.
California Roadside Attractions to The Tree Circus – Gilroy, California
The Tree Circus is among the most uncommon California roadside points of interest within the state. This whimsical arboretum includes a assortment of bushes which were fastidiously pruned and formed into fanciful shapes, together with hearts, chairs, and even an enormous phone. The Tree Circus was created within the early 1900s by horticulturist Axel Erlandson, who spent a long time experimenting with tree shaping strategies to create these unbelievable works of residing artwork. Today, the Tree Circus stays a beloved and offbeat vacation spot for vacationers passing by way of the world, situated roughly 33 miles from San Jose.
Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California
The Winchester Mystery House is among the finest and most unusual California roadside points of interest within the state. This sprawling mansion was constructed within the late 1800s by Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Winchester. Legend has it that Sarah was haunted by the spirits of these killed by Winchester rifles, and he or she believed that the one approach to preserve the spirits at bay was to constantly construct and broaden her dwelling. The result’s a maze-like mansion with over 160 rooms, secret passageways, and staircases that result in nowhere. The Winchester Mystery House is an interesting instance of Victorian structure, in addition to a testomony to 1 lady’s singular imaginative and prescient and obsession. Today, the home is open for public excursions, and it stays a well-liked vacation spot for these in search of a spooky and intriguing roadside attraction.
Watts Towers, Los Angeles
The Watts Towers in Los Angeles is taken into account one of many high California roadside points of interest resulting from its spectacular and distinctive artistry. The towers had been constructed over a interval of 34 years by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia utilizing discovered supplies corresponding to damaged glass, sea shells, and ceramic tiles. The towers stand at a top of as much as 99 toes and are adorned with intricate mosaics and sculptures, making them a real masterpiece of outsider artwork. The Watts Towers additionally maintain historic significance, as they had been constructed within the Nineteen Twenties and 30s throughout a time of racial stress and social unrest. The towers have since change into a logo of neighborhood resilience and cultural delight. Visitors can tour the positioning and study concerning the historical past and development of the towers, making it a must-visit vacation spot for artwork and historical past fans alike.
The Nut Tree – Vacaville, California
The Nut Tree is a beloved and historic roadside attraction that has been entertaining vacationers for many years. Originally a small fruit stand, the Nut Tree developed right into a sprawling complicated that included eating places, retailers, and even a small amusement park. Today, the Nut Tree continues to attract guests with its nostalgic appeal and family-friendly environment. It options an eclectic mixture of points of interest, together with a toy retailer, a prepare experience, and a life-size mannequin of a T-Rex dinosaur. The Nut Tree is situated simply off the I-80 freeway between San Francisco and Sacramento, and is roughly 20 miles from the closest massive metropolis of Fairfield.
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox – Klamath, California
The Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statue is among the most iconic and recognizable California roadside points of interest within the state. The large statue of the legendary lumberjack stands at a towering 49 toes tall, whereas his companion, Babe the Blue Ox, measures in at a powerful 35 toes lengthy. The statue was in-built 1949 as a tribute to the timber business that when dominated the area, and it rapidly turned a beloved and enduring image of the world’s wealthy historical past and tradition. Today, the statue stays a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers and locals alike.
The Monarch Butterfly Grove, Pismo Beach
The Monarch Butterfly Grove is a pure surprise and a high California roadside attraction. This grove is dwelling to hundreds of monarch butterflies, who flock to the world annually to flee the colder temperatures within the north. Visitors to the grove can witness the unbelievable sight of the butterflies as they cluster collectively in huge teams, masking the bushes and creating a really breathtaking spectacle. The Monarch Butterfly Grove is a novel and enchanting vacation spot that gives a uncommon alternative to witness the majesty of nature up shut. It is situated simply off the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, making it a handy cease for vacationers exploring the Central Coast area of the state.
The Caboose Motel – Dunsmuir, California
The Caboose Motel is a memorable roadside attraction that gives vacationers a really one-of-a-kind lodging expertise. As the title suggests, the motel consists of a set of renovated prepare cabooses, every transformed into a comfortable and cozy visitor room. Visitors to the Caboose Motel can benefit from the thrill of sleeping in an actual prepare automobile whereas additionally taking within the gorgeous pure fantastic thing about the encircling space. The motel is situated within the small city of Dunsmuir, which is roughly 60 miles north of Redding, the biggest metropolis within the space. The Caboose Motel is a must-visit vacation spot for anybody in search of a unusual and unforgettable in a single day keep on their California street journey.
The Painted Cave, Santa Barbara
The Painted Cave in Santa Barbara is a hanging and historic cave portray website that dates again over a thousand years. Located within the Santa Ynez Mountains, the cave is adorned with intricate and vibrant depictions of animals, symbols, and different photos, and it presents an interesting glimpse into the artwork and tradition of the Chumash individuals who as soon as inhabited the world. The Painted Cave is among the largest and most well-preserved cave portray websites in California, and it’s a testomony to the wealthy and complicated historical past of the area. Today, the cave is protected by the National Park Service, and guests can take guided excursions to study extra concerning the artwork and historical past of this distinctive and charming website.
California Roadside Attractions to The Desert View Tower – Jacumba, California
The Desert View Tower is a novel and historic roadside attraction that has been drawing guests because it was constructed within the Nineteen Twenties. The tower stands at over 70 toes tall and presents panoramic views of the encircling desert panorama, in addition to an interesting assortment of artifacts and curiosities, together with a preserved specimen of a prehistoric camel. The tower was constructed by an area entrepreneur, Bert Vaughn, who wished to create a novel attraction for vacationers passing by way of the world. Today, the Desert View Tower stays a beloved vacation spot for street trippers and historical past buffs, providing a glimpse into the wild and untamed spirit of the American West.
If you could have any options for extra California roadside points of interest to be included, please go away a remark under. So, till subsequent time, we’ll see ya on the street…