jws's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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June Lake, California

Obsidian Dome

A natural dome made of volcanic glass in Inyo National Forest.
Salinas, California

Fort Ord

Once America’s most beautiful army base, this abandoned military fort on the coast of Monterey Bay has been left to the elements.
London, England

London Wall

Scattered throughout London are ancient remnants of the city's former bounding wall.
London, England

The Tower Ravens

Six ravens are kept captive (but well-fed) at the Tower of London to prevent the fall of the Crown.
Monterey, California

Monterey's Moon Tree

A tree grown from astronaut seeds which were exposed to cosmic rays.
San Rafael, California

Marin County Civic Center

Frank Lloyd Wright died a year before construction on his largest public project even began.
London, England

The Real Greenwich Prime Meridian

Thanks to modern navigational tools we now know that the true prime meridian runs through a park next door.
London, England

Greenwich Foot Tunnel

A 1,215-foot tunnel transports pedestrians beneath the River Thames.
Newark, California

Salt Ponds of San Francisco Bay

From the sky, a kaleidoscope of color brightens the grey landscape of the San Francisco Bay.
Lee Vining, California

Mono Lake

Aqueducts have dramatically changed this old lake, now home to tufa towers and its very own species of tiny brine shrimp.
Mono County, California

Hot Creek Geological Site

This naturally heated mountainous creek has created a group of neon blue pools of potentially deadly boiling water.
San Francisco, California

The Last Standard Oil Company Gas Station in California

Chevron maintains one “Standard” brand station per state so it doesn’t lose the trademark.
Sacramento, California

Sacramento's Original Street Level

The California capital city once stood 10 feet lower than it does today.
San Luis Obispo, California

Madonna Inn

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

Westin St. Francis Hotel

Only hotel where you can legally launder money.
Yosemite National Park, California

The Ahwahnee Hotel

The interior of the Overlook Hotel in "The Shining" was based on this Yosemite original.
London, England

Peter Pan Statue

A statue marks the exact spot where The Boy Who Never Grows Up made his first literary appearance.
San Francisco, California

Banker's Heart

A shining, cold, black organ lies in San Francisco's financial district.