Unusual Things to Do in Southern California: Offbeat Destinations

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Explore unique and unconventional destinations in Southern California that are not commonly found on tourist maps. We offer a great selection of places to explore. If you’re interested in offbeat experiences, consider adding these unusual attractions to your SoCal bucket list.

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Take a Sound Bath at the Integratron Dome

The Integratron Dome in the Mojave Desert just outside Landers resembles a small observatory. Visitors can experience a sound bath and a sonic healing session with quartz crystal bowls played live in the multi-wave sound chamber. The Integratron Dome offers a unique blend of science, spirituality, and UFO folklore, providing visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience in the California desert—Integration website.

Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Garden Escondido, CA

The French artist Niki de Saint Phalle created the unique Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Garden. She was inspired by her visions of early California history, myths, and Native American culture to create the magical artworks found in the garden. The central sculpture of Queen Califia, standing on a five-legged eagle and raising a small bird above her head, is the centerpiece of this unusual garden. The sculpture garden is in Kit Carson Park at 3333 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, California.

Korean Bell of Friendship San Pedro, California

The Korean Bell of Friendship only rings five times yearly, but you can visit the bell pavilion anytime. The bell replicates the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, a Korean national treasure cast in 771. Adorned with intricate reliefs, it depicts the Statue of Liberty alongside a Korean goddess, symbolizing the spirits of freedom, independence, peace, and prosperity shared between America and Korea. Visitors to the Korean Bell of Friendship can enjoy breathtaking views of the Los Angeles harbor and the Pacific Ocean. Address: 601 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, California.

The Last Bookstore Downtown Los Angeles

The Last Bookstore, located in a former bank building in downtown Los Angeles, is a must-see attraction. One of its most striking features is the tunnel of books, which might make you feel like you’ve tumbled down the rabbit hole with Alice in Wonderland. With over 250,000 books, it is California’s largest new and used bookstore. The store is also known for its unusual displays and book sculptures, making it a popular spot for social media photos. The address is 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, California. Visit the Bookstore website for more information.

Malibu Hindu Temple in Santa Monica Mountains

The Malibu Hindu Temple is beautiful and peaceful in the Santa Monica Mountains. It welcomes guests from all religions. Although located in Calabasas, most people call it the Malibu Hindu Temple. The temple is dedicated to worshiping the Hindu god Venkateswara and has additional shrines for other deities. It stands as a magnificent testament to the rich cultural heritage of Hinduism in the United States. The temple is open to everyone. It’s a place where one can find peace, beauty, and some delicious samosas and pakoras, which, as we all know, are the true indicators of spiritual enlightenment. Please check the Temple website for operating hours.

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum Desert Hot Springs

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in Southern California is a truly unique building. What makes the museum especially interesting is its design. Yerxa, a true pioneer, used various materials to construct the Pueblo, including reclaimed lumber and adobe bricks that he made himself. The museum is more than just a collection of artifacts and art; it’s a narrative of the American West, a story told through the perspective of a man who was both an adventurer and an artist. Cabot’s Pueblo Museum visitors are in for a treat as guided tours offer a comprehensive look at Pueblo’s history and the artifacts on display. Address: 67616 Desert View Ave, Desert Hot Springs, California. Visit the Cabot’s website for more information.

Tankland South El Monte, California

Tankland offers a unique and educational day trip where visitors can explore a collection of nearly 200 tanks and vehicles, showcasing military history from various conflicts, including World War One, World War Two, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and Operation Desert Storm. The museum preserves the rich history of military vehicles and equipment. It looks like a scene from an apocalyptic movie and provides a captivating journey through military history. For those interested in exploring the American Military Museum, it is open from Friday to Sunday at 1918 Rosemead Blvd, South El Monte, California—Tankland website.

Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum Joshua Tree, CA

Artist Noah Purifoy moved to the desert to escape because Los Angeles was too expensive. He spent 15 years creating unique sculptures, buildings, and artwork from recycled materials. Visitors to the museum are treated to a range of intriguing and sometimes unsettling sculptures, such as “The White House,” a centerpiece of the museum, and “65 Aluminum Trays,” which demonstrates Purifoy’s ability to turn everyday objects into a thought-provoking commentary on society. The museum is open every day of the year from sunrise until sunset, and admission is free. Got it! Address: 62975 Blair Lane, Joshua Tree, California. Visit the museum’s website.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Final Resting Place for Movie Stars

Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place for famous movie stars and celebrities, making it a popular tourist destination. Many stars from Hollywood’s golden age, such as Mel Blanc, Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, Mickey Rooney, Tyrone Power, Douglas Fairbanks, Johnny Ramone, and Dee Dee Ramone, are buried there. Visitors to Hollywood Forever Cemetery can explore its rich history with self-guided and guided tours. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, California. Please visit the website for more information.

Borrego Springs Prehistoric Animal Sculptures

Galleta Meadows Estates is a collection of over 100 welded-steel sculptures in and around Borrego Springs, California. Ricardo Breceda created these sculptures depicting prehistoric animals, farmworkers, saints, and cacti. Many statues can be easily spotted from the road or during a short hike. The sculptures are inspired by extinct animals based on fossils in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, historical characters, and whimsical creations that include fantastical creatures and a 350-foot-long serpent. Borrego Springs website.

Trona Pinnacles Wind-Swept Towers

Trona Pinnacles is situated roughly 20 miles to the east of Ridgecrest in northeastern Kern County. The terrain in this area resembles something you might see in a science fiction movie. The tufa pinnacles found here have been used as filming locations for movies such as Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and the original Planet of the Apes film. The Trona Pinnacles are unique rock formations created over 10,000 years ago when this area of the Mojave Desert was covered by water. After thousands of years, the lake that once covered the site disappeared, leaving behind only the wind-swept towers we see today. Visit the BLM website.

Vasquez Rocks: Out of This World Formations

The Vasquez rock formations were created before our time by the San Andreas Fault. The notorious bandit Tiburcio Vasquez used these rock formations to evade law enforcement between 1873 and 1874, hence its name. Numerous movies, television shows, and music videos have been filmed at Vasquez Rocks. Music video artists filmed locally include Michael Jackson for his “Black or White” video, Rihanna’s “Rehab,” Marilyn Manson, Enrique Iglesias, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center are at 10700 West Escondido Canyon Road in Agua Dulce, California. Visit website.

Burro Schmidt Tunnel: Shortcut to Gold

Burro Schmidt was a determined individual who spent 32 years burrowing through rock to create a shortcut for bringing gold ore to the smelters near Mojave. Although Burro never found any gold ore, he successfully finished his tunnel. Schmidt was recognized as the “human mole,” his tunnel was featured in Huell Howser’s California Gold Series. Today, the tunnel is a popular tourist attraction despite being atop the El Paso Mountains. More information about the Burro Schmidt Tunnel.

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