#100 Balboa Park
Celebrating 100 Years, Balboa Park in San Diego is the greatest city park in the west. The park contains 1200 acres in the center of the city with 17 world class museums, 16 landscaped gardens, the house of pacific relations international cottages, old globe theatre, spreckels organ pavilion and of course the San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park has been home to two World Fair's, one in 1915-16 and again in 1935-6. Kate Sessions, 'Mother of Balboa Park', designed the natural landscape of the park. After 100 years, the park is still going strong and has a fitting motto: A Landscape of Art & Culture. Here's to 100 more years!
#98 Calico Ghost Town
Founded in 1881 as silver mining town, Calico Ghost Town is now an attraction in the Mojave Desert. In the 1890's when the silver boom declined and borax was discovered, the population soared to 3,500 and became a thriving desert community. This would end by the turn of the century and by 1907 became a true ghost town. Walter Knott, Knott's Berry Farm Mogul, purchased Calico in the 1950's and restored the town into an attraction with authentic and faux restorations.
#90 Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Cabot's Pueblo Museum is an historic landmark in Desert Hot Springs. This Hopi-style pueblo was created by homesteader Cabot Yerxa, who first settled here in 1913. While digging for water, he discovered the hot springs for which the area is named. His 4 story Pueblo contains 35 rooms, 150 windows, 65 doors and 30 different roofs and was constructed from found materials of the surrounding Coachella Valley.
One of the famous 'Trail of the Whispering Giants' Native American heads sculpted by Peter Wolf Toth also has its home here. 'Waokiye', number 27 of 74, was carved from a 750 years old fallen giant sequoia. Toth's sculptures honor the Native Americans of America, and he has one in every single state.
#89 Furnace Creek Inn
“Would You Enjoy a Trip to Hell?...You Might Enjoy a Trip to Death Valley, Now! It has all the advantages of hell without the inconveniences.” -1907 April Fools Day Newspaper Ad
The Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort is an Historic Hotel in the heart of Death Valley National Park. In 1907, it may have been hard to imagine a luxury resort in the hottest, driest and lowest spot on Earth but it happened two decades later. The hotel was built by the Pacific Coast Borax Company in order promote tourism after mining operations slowed. Tourism boomed and the resort was here to stay.
Today, the Inn is not just a hotel but holds the Four Diamond Award for its opulent luxury. Beautiful suites surrounded by Palm Groves with sweeping views of Death Valley can be seen in every direction. The nearby Ranch property is a more casual experience and contains the Borax Museum.
#81 Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park or Rancho De Los Kiotes is the vacation retreat of famous Hollywood actor Leo Carrillo. He designed his ranch after the Spanish Haciendas of his ancestors. At only $17 an acre, the ranch once contained 2,538 acres. The property can be toured today and includes gardens and adobe buildings as well as a stable, barn and reflecting pool. The ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a California Landmark.
#74 Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano in Orange County is known as the 'Jewel of the Missions'. Founded in 1775, it was the 7th of the 21 California Missions. Its main purpose was to teach and convert the Native Americans to the new Spanish way of life. At its peak in the early 19th century, the mission was home to 1,000 people.
The earthquake of 1812, lack of funding, Mexican Independence along with disease that the Spanish had brought with them proved too much and the mission system ended in 1834. Today, the beautiful grounds are a great way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon and learn the history of the missions. The famous swallows return to the Mission every March which is commemorated on St. Joseph's Day.
#69 Santa Barbara Sea Center
The Sea Center operated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a fun aquarium located on famous Stearns Wharf. From a 1,500 gallon sea tank, a live shark touch pool, baby shark pods and an exotic jellies exhibit, this aquarium packs in an amazing array of sea life to discover.
#65 La Jolla Sea Cave
Sunny Jim's Sea Cave in La Jolla is the only one of the seven sea caves that you can walk into. L. Frank Baum, the writer of 'The Wizard of Oz', named the cave after British Force Wheat Cereal in the 1920's because the opening of the cave resembled its mascot. 145 steps lead you down into the cave whose sandstone is estimated to be 75 million years old.
#53 Whaley House
The Whaley House is an historic home and museum located in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. It holds the title for most haunted house in America. Built in 1857, this landmark is the oldest brick building in Southern California. The house has had many uses from store, courthouse, school and theater to the home of San Diego Pioneer Thomas Whaley. In its heyday, it was the most beautiful house in San Diego.
#44 Mission Santa Inés
Mission Santa Inés, established in 1804, was created to help convert the Chumash Native Americans to the Spanish way of life. Being the 19th established Mission, it served as a link between Santa Barbara and Lompoc. The Chumash revolted this new way of life in February of 1824. They fought for their freedom which eventually led to them fleeing into the mountains. The Mission system ended in 1833 after Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821. Today, Mission Santa Inés has been beautifully restored against the rolling green backdrop of the Santa Ynez Valley in Solvang.
