Surreal Californian Destinations You Have To See To Believe

From ancient salty lakes to glowing waterfalls and wave-activated acoustic sculptures, California is home to all manner of surreal destinations. Culture Trip rounds up the weirdest and most wonderful places in the Golden State.

Salton Sea

The Salton Sea, on the San Andreas Fault, is a saline, endorheic rift lake that formed when the Colorado River burst in 1905. A town developed around the lake, which is 80mi (130km) east of the Pacific Ocean, during the 1960s, but it quickly became a ghost town when the water became polluted. Today, it lives on as a hauntingly beautiful sight.

Mono Lake

Joshua Tree National Park

Between the Mojave and Colorado deserts sits Joshua Tree National Park, where you’ll see some of California’s most spectacular sights, including wildlife and plant life. There’s plenty of hiking, camping and rock climbing to be done. However, plan to visit in the cooler seasons, as Joshua Tree can reach well over 100F (38C) in the summer months.

Cypress Tree Tunnel, Point Reyes

On Point Reyes National Seashore, about 45mi (72km) north of San Francisco, a strip of Monterey cypress trees have formed what is known as the Cypress Tree Tunnel – with the treetops on both sides of the road meeting in the middle.

Old Town San Diego

Stop by the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, and prepare to enter a time machine. This part of the city dates back to the 18th century, and there are loads of shops and eateries that add to the old-world feel.

Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park

At 1,575ft (480m) high, Yosemite National Park’s Horsetail Fall isn’t California’s tallest – the grand Yosemite Falls measure 2,425ft (739m). However, it’s a beautiful waterfall, known for its evening glow. Do bear in mind when you’re planning a visit, though, is that it’s seasonal, and the best time to visit is between winter and early spring.

Palisades Park, Santa Monica

With beachfront homes, oceanic views and gorgeous sunsets, the town of Santa Monica is beautiful to visit. But there’s one spot in the city that is particularly special: Palisades Park, spanning 26 acres (11ha), lies on coastal sandstone bluffs, making way for mighty Pacific views.

Asilomar State Beach, Monterey

The sunsets at Asilomar State Beach will rival any you’ve seen before. Located in Del Monte Forest, this beach attracts locals, travelers and photographers who show up hoping to catch a glimpse.

Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino County

Big Bear Lake is a beautiful corner of Southern California, complete with alpine trees and mountain trails. It’s a great destination for skiing, with Snow Summit resort a popular choice for families. And, yes, there is a chance that you’ll see bears in the San Bernardino National Forest, so be aware.

Glass Beach, Fort Bragg

Visiting Glass Beach is a bit of a surreal experience – the sand is covered entirely with glass, following years of trash being dumped in the small oceanside town of Fort Bragg. The pieces of glass are no longer sharp, having been molded by the waves, so you can get up close and see them yourself. However, you’re not allowed to take any home with you.

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, located on the west side of Antelope Valley, is a reminder of nature’s beauty. Within the poppy fields, which bloom throughout the spring months, there are 8mi (13km) of paths so you can stroll or hike through the flowers.

‘Wave Organ,’ San Francisco

The Wave Organ, located on the shores of San Francisco Bay, is a wave-activated acoustic sculpture crafted out of 25 organ pipes made with PVC and concrete. It’s been a free attraction since 1986.

The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles

The Last Bookstore on Spring Street is a must-visit for book lovers. It’s the largest new and used book and record store in California – and its setting is nothing short of surreal with secret passageways and walkways made out of books.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.