Today there are four branches of the Hollywood Wax Museum. The one above, for instance, is in Myrtle Beach. For the other locations, see the map below.Maybe you think that you wouldn’t be seen dead at a kitsch-y wax museum. But maybe Elmer McCurdy thought the...
The mystique, the unusualness, the authenticity, the fabulous reviews!!! Far from crowds and traffic, yet near to Los Angeles, is a vacation rental located in historic Chatsworth, California. Open sky, 360-degree dramatic valley and city views and sandstone cliffs...
The Avenue of the Giants is justifiably well-known. Its located in an area that is a National Park and a World Heritage Site – and those trees are big!And don’t be put off by the fact that it’s a National Park. Yes, I know, it’s got plenty of...
Just before Christmas in 1958, twelve couples driving through California received an unusual Christmas gift. Independently of each other, they all spotted what seemed to be a new motel – the Madonna – and stopped to stay there for the night. The next...
I’m not sure that Downey, California has a huge amount to fascinate the traveller but if you’re on a road trip and passing through, it’s an idea to take a look at the world’s oldest branch of McDonalds. It opened in 1953 so I’m imagining...
This is a curious house with a curious history. It’s been seen in films and TV shows and residents need to access the place via a funicular. And it had curious beginnings. The original owner had been given the piece of land and the fact that he didn’t have...
It’s certainly not the best looking house I’ve ever seen but it is supposed to be decidedly spooky. And with its history, it’s hardly surprising. The architecture is interesting, to say the least, but this house – which is now a museum –...
Sheats Apartments building is an early example of the work of architect John Lautner. Built in 1949, it was intended for use as accommodation for UCLA students and seems to have spent most of its life to date as such. The building contains eight self-contained...
This astonishing edifice – a private home – was built in 1976. Architect William Nicholson created the building as part of an experimental series featuring what was referred to, not surprisingly, as ‘Blob Architecture’. The process involved...
Of course, there are those who think that fast-food burgers are the work of the devil but even amongst us there are also those who love Mid Century Modern architecture (and the lifestyle it conjures up) and if you’re in the Hollwood area, then Bob’s is...
If you enjoy wine (me!) and love to gaze at architecture (me, again!) then a trip to the Quixote Winery is a must. The Stag’s Leap Winnery was bought in 1971 by Carl Doumani. Over the next two decades, the winery and its manor house were carefully restored and...
In 1923, the Crescent Sign Company of Los Angeles were commissioned to create a huge sign. It was to advertise a new housing development, the name of which was Hollywoodland. It was intended to be a temporary structure that would last for about eighteen months –...
Imagine. You’re going to stay at a private island in sunny California. It has amazing wildlife and a fascinating history. What’s more, it’s not going to cost you a penny – your stay will be absolutely free of charge and even all your meals will...
Lombard Street in San Francisco is one of those strange American sights that are so beloved of tourists. And it’s hardly surprising as it’s known as ‘the most crooked street in the world’. You can see in the photographs and videos below just...
The SS Palo Alto has had a chequered career. I tend to find ships and boats have a spooky aspect to them and this is certainly one of them. To begin with, the ship was built of concrete. (That alone seems weird to me). It was out of luck from the very start of its...
Unless you are seriously addicted to eating avocados, then I doubt that you’d travel thousands of miles to California just to see where the Hass avocado empire was born but if you’re local, or in the area, visiting this site will be a fabulous story to...
There are some people who think that Sarah Winchester was a complete nutcase. Others believe that she was guided by spirits to create her bizarre house – and that spirits still haunt the strange residence she built in San Jose. Sarah was the widow of William...
In the heart of California’s wine country lies a vineyard. Dario Sattui is the owner – he’s a fourth generation vintner and he is responsible for the creation of the castle, Castello di Amorosa. And he still doesn’t know to this day exactly...
