The 14 Most Unusual Attractions In Northern California

Sure, you could visit some of the more normal sights and attractions in Northern California. But how about visiting the weird, strange, and tantalizing instead? We’ve compiled a list of Northern California’s most unusual attractions that you’ve got to see to believe.

Albany Bulb

The Albany Bulb showcases that the idea of “trash” is simply just a mindset. This former landfill, set just east of the San Francisco Bay, has now become a space for artists to come and do what they do: make art. The Albany Bulb is now a city park that’s ever-changing and always fascinating.

Albany Bulb, 1 Buchanan St, Albany, CA 94706, USA

When you’re in the Pygmy Forest near Mendocino, you leave our world behind and enter the world of magic; figuratively speaking, of course. Pygmy Forest is a complete wonder where there are tons of tiny 100-year-old trees. Seriously, due to a natural yet rare coastal phenomenon, the trees aren’t more than a couple of feet tall.

Boardwalk path through the Pygmy forest, Van Damme State Park Ι

1. Old Faithful Geyser

A very well-known and interesting attraction of Northern California is the Old Faithful Geyser. This geyser, located in Calistoga, is a natural wonder that steadily erupts every handful of minutes or so with tall streams of mist. It’s become one of the most popular attractions on the west coast.

Old Faithful Geyser, 1299 Tubbs Ln, Calistoga, CA 94515, USA

Old Faithful Geyser in California Ι © WineCountry Media/Flickr

2. Garlic World

If you like garlic, you’ll think you’ve had died and gone to a very pungent afterlife when you visit here. Known as the garlic capital of the world, the town if Gilroy even holds an annual garlic festival, complete with garlic ice cream. But if you’ve missed the festival this year, don’t fret, Garlic World is open all year-round. You can still get that garlic ice cream, as well as garlic chocolate chip cookies and the world’s largest garlic bread.

Garlic World, 4800 Monterey Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, USA

Garlic Tie-Dye Ι © Eugene Kim/Flickr

Rock City

As a result of erosion, sandstone formations migrated and came together down Mount Diablo, creating a park. Rock City consists of abnormally large rocks and small caves, perfect for climbing and exploring. A short hike along the Summit Trail from the south entrance of Diablo, it’s an interesting place to bring your kids for some unusual outdoor, geographical fun.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPQq_A2g5px/?taken-at=333845

3. Petrified Forest

Forest, Park

An informative sign at the Petrified Forest in Calistoga, California.

The forest is actually not too far from Old Faithful Geyser, so visiting the two makes for an awesomely unusual trip. California’s Petrified Forest has some of the most preserved petrified trees in the country. It’s a pleasant half-mile trail that loops around the forest, where you can get an amazing look at these preserved ancient trees.

4. Bigfoot Discovery Museum

Museum

Outsiders may laugh but in Northern California, there’s a pretty massive Bigfoot following. It’s so massive, there’s even a museum for people to learn more about this hairy legend. The Bigfoot Discovery Museum is comprised of two rooms with a ton of information on Bigfoot, souvenirs, plus maps of where he’s been spotted.

Toad’s Hollow

This adorable little underpass was explicitly designed with the amphibian in mind. Toad’s Hollow was built for frogs to use in order to give them safe passage through the busy street nearby. It’s cute, it’s caring, and is worth stopping and taking a quick photo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJqbHO-jPpc/?tagged=toadtunnel

5. Egg Vending Machine

You’ve read that right, there’s a real vending machine that dispenses very real eggs. Just outside Santa Cruz, Aptos is home to Glaum Egg Ranch, who have set up there very own adorable egg vending machine. Buy yourself some delicious eggs that are probably the freshest you’ve ever had. Even better, when you put your money into the machine, a little curtain rises and you’re given an adorable musical show.

Egg Vending Machine, 3100 Valencia Rd, Aptos, CA 95003, USA

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba0Ej-ZjOmb/?taken-at=5794687

The World’s Largest Monopoly Board

Board game champions will definitely want to try their hand at this humongous Monopoly game in San Jose. You’ll have to reserve your spot weeks in advance but it’s incredible to play this classic life-sized version. But people are totally welcome to check out the site anytime they want without playing. You may get lucky and see a game happening right then and there.

6. The Trees of Mystery

Motel

The Trees of Mystery can be found all along a trail, just under a mile long, and is absolutely mind boggling. In the coastal town of Klamath, these trees have somehow grown into odd and downright strange shapes and formations. The site also includes a gift shop, museum, restaurant, motel, and of course the giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue to greet you outside the site.

The Trees of Mystery, 15500 U.S. 101, Klamath, CA 95548, USA

Paul Bunyan & Babe The Blue Ox Ι © get directly down/Flickr

Lake Berryessa Glory Hole

You’ll have to be lucky to catch this attraction in action but it’s such a crazy site. The Lake Berryessa Glory Hole was built as a drain system to keep the lake’s water from flooding over the dam. It looks like the planet is getting sucked into itself – 100% mesmerizing!

Swedish Coffee Pot Water Tower

The town of Kingsburg once had a huge Swedish population and still carries that cultural theme today. This included rebuilding the 1911 water tower into the shape of an actual coffee pot. It’s 122 feet tall and will make your heart burst from all the cuteness.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIyCbvEgu-N/?tagged=swedishcoffeepotwatertower

Wave Organ

In San Francisco, the wave organ was artistically installed right along the bay. When the waves crash and pour over the artwork all the cleverly placed crevices whistle and hum like a real organ. It’s an unusual spot with sounds that are hauntingly beautiful.

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