11 Quirky Places to Visit in California
Out-of-the-Ordinary Destinations Worthy of Your Time and Trip
California is more than just sun, sand, and celebrities. While you’ve probably seen a lot of its big attractions on TV, this state has a long list of off-the-beaten-path nooks and crannies, best-kept secrets, novelties, and juicy scandals.
It’s the weird and wonderful places like these that can spark great conversations and fun stories to tell back home for years to come. Here are some of the top quirky places in California to add to your adventure in the Golden State.
1. Old LA Zoo in Griffith Park
Haunted ruins in the middle of Los Angeles
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
The old LA zoo is an eerie remnant of how animals used to live here a century ago. This place used to house only 15 species of animals. Opened in 1912 and closed in 1966, the zoo lacked proper funding while the animals faced dreadful living conditions. Hence, the new LA Zoo was moved 2 miles down the road with humane conditions for the animals.
The most photographed area is the chimpanzee pit with cave structures and small, abandoned, graffiti-lined cages. Overall, this area still has abundant park space and trees for leisurely hiking and picnics, but it’s recommended that visitors go during the daytime for safety reasons. Curious visitors come here to debunk the story of the haunted zoo.
Location: Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90189, USA
Old LA Zoo in Griffith Park
2. The Houdini Mansion
Mysterious sightings and misleading stories
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
The estate is not owned by Harry Houdini, but by Ralph Walker, a close friend of Houdini. Having gone through some brush fire, the current mansion is a restoration of the classic, palatial European house with stone carvings, waterfalls, exotic plants, and French gardens.
Houdini once used the area to practice his underwater routines, but the rumored ghost sightings might not be related to Houdini, but to the scandalous murder cases that happened here before Houdini’s time. Today, the place still operates as an event site with weddings held here regularly.
Location: 2400 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046, USA
Phone: +1 323-886-4949
The Houdini Mansion
3. Underground tunnels of LA
A zeitgeist walk through the not-so-roaring twenties
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
This 11-mile long, 40-ft underground tunnel was once the clandestine drinking spot for Los Angeles. There is a debate about whether it’s open to the public or not, but the answer is yes: during business hours and with tight security. The best starting point is Temple and Hill St., near the Los Angeles County Hall of Records.
The 1920s ban on alcohol was a time of religious movement and the “dry crusade.” Because of this campaign, supplying drinks outside the law became profitable. Underneath the King Eddy Saloon is a former underground speakeasy with tunnel access to City Hall where politicians and statesmen used to sneak down to for a few drinks. Today, visitors can walk in their footsteps.
4. Glass Beach in Fort Bragg
From coastal trash to treasure hunting
Good for: Couples, Families, Unusual
The Glass Beach is about 6 hours’ drive north of San Francisco. From 1943–1949, this place was a dumping ground for unsalvageable junk resulting from the damage caused by a major earthquake in Fort Bragg. But before it became smooth pebbles, the trash was burned to reduce the size. Luckily, nature eventually restored balance into this former junk yard.
Over a few decades, this beach has been through the process of mineralization, where saltwater dissolved the glass and released minerals that restored the local marine life. Surprisingly, the ocean is now a great site for snorkeling and diving. People come here to hunt for unique glass pieces, however, there’s been some depletion of the sea glass reported.
Location: W Elm St and Glass Beach Dr, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, USA
Glass Beach in Fort Bragg
5. Museum of Death
A glimpse into the minds of murderers
Good for: Couples, Photo, Unusual
The Museum of Death is a collection of morbidly fascinating stories and disturbed souls. Though the space is not large, the artifacts and displays are well-consolidated in each of the rooms.
Some highlight items are severed mummified body parts, the taxidermy collection, detailed timeline of the Manson murders, autopsy videos, and artwork from John Wayne Gacy who murdered 33 people. According to the staff, the most popular subject are the letters from Jeffrey Dahmer, along with his biography that might stir some sympathy. The overall ambiance is not somber, with dark humor, punk rock art, and Satanism drawings throughout. Though there’s no age limit for entry, it may be distressing for young visitors. Also, photography is not allowed inside.
Location: 6363 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States
Open: Daily from 11 am to 8 pm
Museum of Death
6. Bubble Gum Alley
A funky wall of gum graffiti
Good for: Families, Unusual
This colorful alley is a mix of yuck and fascinating graffiti art. It all started from college students and rival high school students competing to make a bigger, taller gum wall. Despite locals cleaning the surface every few years, the gum wall rose to the challenge and keeps expanding to this day.
Conveniently, this bubble gum graffiti art is in the middle of San Luis Obispo downtown with shops, parks, and restaurants all around. There’s also a candy store in this square, SLO Sweets, with all the candies and gum that you need. Visitors are encouraged to chew some gum, make a wish and stick it to the wall. Just remember to mind your hair, scarves, and belongings.
Location: Bubble Gum Alley, 733 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 USA
Bubble Gum Alley
7. The Madonna Inn at San Luis Obispo
A camp and kitschy hotel in the Californian countryside
Good for: Unusual
This hotel stands alone in the middle of the valley in San Luis Obispo, 15 minutes from downtown. Disclaimer: there’s no connection to Madonna. The decor can be a struggle to define, like Liberace meets arts-and-crafts on psychedelics. With its stone façade in the front and Barbie dollhouse in the back, this place is delightfully eccentric. The restrooms alone are worth the trip with jade-green waterfall urinals and bright pink, baroque lounge chairs.
Pay attention to the details. Some creepy-cute decorations are hidden in the cluster of Wisterias in the ceiling. The grand staircase is a mishmash of dried flowers, gold chandeliers, and ceramic dolls.
Location: 100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, USA
Phone: +1 805-543-3000
The Madonna Inn at San Luis Obispo
8. Solvang Village
Old Europe on the Californian Coast
Good for: History, Unusual
Unlike the well-known destinations in the Golden State, Solvang is a small town that many tourists delightfully stumble across as it’s on the main road that connects north and south interstate highways.
Solvang was established in 1910 by a group of Danish-American scholars. Minus the snow and the cold, this town feels like Santa’s village in the middle of California. The new locals have rebuilt an old-world “Danish Village” with replicas of windmills, the Hans Christian Andersen statue and Denmark’s Round Tower. While here, pick up some bakery items such as the Kringle, a traditional pastry baked with custard and raisin, or the Æbleskiver, a Danish pancake ball served with raspberry jelly and butter pecan ice cream.
Location: 1680 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463, USA
Solvang Village
9. Hotel California
Welcome to the Hotel California, or is it?
Good for: History, Unusual
Hotel California in Todos Santos on Baja California Sur has been around since 1947, about 1,000 miles south of San Diego. Okay, so it’s not actually in the state of California, but it’s certainly quirky.
The interior is saturated with rich palettes of colors resembling the paintings of Frida Kahlo. Originally, the 16-room hotel was founded by a Chinese immigrant who became a celebrated local entrepreneur, and was dubbed as “El Chino,” or the Chinese man. However, the long-rumored story that the famous song was based here, is an ongoing debate. Despite unconfirmed stories, this hotel attracted many 70s rock stars that come to stay, such as Keith Richards and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Location: Calle Benito Juárez S/N, Centro, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
Phone: +52 612 145 0525
Hotel California
10. Beetle House Restaurant
“Tally me bananas” at the Beetle House
Good for: Couples, Food, Unusual
Beetle House is a popular theme restaurant in downtown West Hollywood. Its interior is more endearing than scary, with its cartoonish, Gothic ambiance, a classic Tim Burton signature style. The space is a combination of the black hilltop house in Beetlejuice with a touch of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
With a creative menu list and cool presentations, this restaurant aims to entertain. Characters such as Sweeney Todd, Willy Wonka, Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands are there to entertain you. And the Beetle House also holds its “Freak Show,” a scheduled variety performance of dance, fire eaters, and contortionists. Visitors are advised to make reservations, as this place can fill up fast.
Location: 6356 Hollywood Blvd 2nd floor, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
Open: Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 4 pm to 9.30 pm, Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm (Closed Monday–Wednesday)
Phone: +1 929-291-0337
Beetle House Restaurant
11. Opaque
Appreciate food, people, and conversations through heightened senses
Good for: Couples, Food, Unusual
This might not be for everyone, as it may trigger some claustrophobia and it’s booked far in advance, so tickets here are like gold dust. And they’re priced like it, too.
The restaurant serves food in a completely pitch-dark dining space. Customers are briefed in advance and make selections from the menu, before being ushered into the dining room. Eating here requires you to be in the moment and paying attention to your dining companions, the servers, and the food. Discussing the experience afterwards can lead to interesting post-dining observations with descriptions of fear, excitement, and a heightened sense of taste, smell, and hearing, while managing expectations when the lights are turned on.
Location: 2020 Wilshire Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90403
Open: Thursday from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, Friday–Sunday from 5.30 pm to 10 pm (Closed Monday–Wednesday)
Phone: +1 310-546-7619
Opaque
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.
