3 Unique Locations You Must Visit In California, USA

About California

Located in the west of the USA, California stretches from the Mexican border on the Pacific coast for almost 900 miles. The state’s terrain includes gorgeous, cliff-backed beaches, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the redwood forest, Mojave Desert and the Central Valley farmland. San Francisco is renowned for its Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and Alcatraz Island, while Los Angeles is known for the Hollywood entertainment industry. Besides all these great features, California also has its more unusual side, with several unique locations that should be taken in.

1. 16th Avenue Steps, San Francisco

Created by two artists, Collette Crutcher and Aileen Barr, the 16th Avenue Steps consist of 163 steps of colorful mosaic tiles. The steps are located in the quiet Sunset district of San Francisco, with few other tourist attractions nearby. However, those visitors who do make their way to this location are rewarded with the beautiful steps themselves, as well as sweeping views over the city. On either side, a beautiful garden has been created with succulents and native habitat plants, grown especially for the protected Green Hairstreak butterfly.

Image 16th Avenue Tiled Stair Project by Ed Bierman CC BY 2.0

The project was started in 2003 and completed in 2005 with the help of artists and neighborhood volunteers. The staircase itself was inspired by the Selaron staircase in Rio de Janeiro. All mosaics were donated by the community and are carefully laid out. There is another garden at the bottom of the steps to enjoy.

2. Underground Tunnels of Los Angeles

Next on our California vacation travel guide, we visit hidden, underground tunnels. While America was forced to go dry during prohibition, corrupt city officials in Los Angeles ran drinking dens beneath the streets of the city. It might have been dry above, but underneath downtown L.A. the party never stopped.

11 miles of service tunnels were turned into passageways to basement speakeasies, while above ground, they had innocuous shop fronts. Speakeasy patrons could move around beneath the city, drinking without a care in the world, while the Los Angeles Mayor’s office supplied the booze.

Image by Alissa Walker on Flickr

One of these was King Eddy Saloon, an establishment that had been running on 5th and Main since the 1900s. This speakeasy hid in plain site with a fronting of a piano store. Now, the saloon is an official establishment once again, but the basement still survives as part of the tunnel system.

Besides the speakeasy tunnels, there were also abandoned equestrian and subway tunnels from the past. These tunnels were reportedly used to transport prisoners and were used by bank security to move large sums of money. Nowadays, those are mostly closed off, but some are still accessible. They are regularly used as film locations and city employees often use them as shortcuts.

To reach the tunnels, you must head behind the Hall of Records on Temple Street and locate an easy-to-miss elevator. Once there, you are transported down into the subterranean tunnels, decorated with street art and rusted machinery. There are also iron gates to ensure your exploration is only in areas deemed earthquake safe. Officially, the tunnels are closed to the public, but are accessible to anyone wanting to explore.

3. Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze, San Francisco

Heading back to San Francisco, we now visit a psychedelic labyrinth on the San Francisco Bay. Visitors tend to explore with their arms outstretched, trying not to bump into each other or their own reflection.

Image by HiP1 on Flickr

The labyrinth is located in a nondescript building on San Francisco’s Pier 39. It is made up of columns and mirrors and is lit by flashing neon and blacklight. In the background, rave music plays. The attraction is suitable for all ages and according to the founder, it is “one part art, one part science.” Rather like the mirror mazes at the fairgrounds, Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze is fascinating, but can also be totally frustrating!

Take some time out to visit these unique attractions during a trip to California! You won't regret it.