8 Unusual things to do in California
California is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world, with unrivalled weather, a stunning coastline and let’s not forget L.A. – the land of the A-List.
Aside from the more notable activities we’ve all heard of, there’s an amazing amount of unusual and fascinating things to see and do throughout the whole of California.
There’s so many we couldn’t fit them all on this list – so here are a few of our favourites.
- Whaley House
In San Diego you’ll find Whaley House. Although it may not sound like somewhere particularly special, it’s worth noting it’s considered one of the most haunted places in America. Visiting in the day can be great, but for a truly frightful experience embark on a special night tour, and watch out for the ghosts.
- Shipwreck Hike
Los Angeles has a lot to offer, and although you can spend hours, if not days, wandering the celeb hot spots, why not try something a little different? Explore the shipwreck of the SS Dominator, which has sat on the coast of California, near the city of Rancho Palos Verdes, since 1961. Hike over the rocky terrain and get a close up view of one of the best preserved shipwrecks around.
- The Sunken City
We’ve all heard of the lost city of Atlantis, but have you heard of the lost city of California? Several decades ago, a landslide in San Pedro caused a city to literally sink into the ocean, leaving behind broken pipes and the ruins of what were once roads. Treat this like a regular hike and explore the graffiti covered stony remnants of this lost city, whilst taking in the ocean views.
- Old L.A. Zoo
Back in L.A. you could visit the zoo and see the animals, or you could visit the old zoo and become one yourself. Situated in the heart of Griffith Park you’ll find what remains of the once popular zoo, where you can wander around and see where the animals lived, before having yourself a picnic in a cage – a truly unique dining experience.
- Salton Sea
Resembling a scene from a post-apocalyptic film, this is the largest body of inland water in California; situated in the middle of the desert. This lake, which spans more than 8,000 square miles, was created in the early 1900s, thanks to a failed attempt at bringing the Colorado River to California. Although a booming tourist attraction and home to many early on, the area took a turn for the worse when the water became polluted and millions of fish died – resulting in it becoming abandoned. It now makes for a great exploration spot providing excellent photo opportunities.
- Potato Chip Rock
Back in San Diego head to Mt Woodson, a spot that not only provides an excellent hiking opportunity and fabulous views, but a great picture moment too. At the summit of the hike you’ll find a rock that looks strikingly like a potato chip, making an excellent Instagram post to remind you of the 8 mile round hike.
- Bridge to Nowhere
Back in L.A. you can visit the Bridge to Nowhere, which was originally intended to connect Azusa to another highway through the mountains. However this didn’t work out and now the bridge literally connects nowhere to nowhere. Hike up to the bridge and jump off attached to a bungee cord for that extra added thrill.
- Salvation Mountain
In Imperial County you can take a trip to Salvation Mountain. Situated in the heart of the Salton Sea, this little gem of a destination really needs to be experienced to be believed. Beginning as one man’s journey to show God’s love to people, the end result is a magnificent painted mountain, shrouded in quotes and images. It offers hours of exploring opportunities.
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