Once abandoned and in ruins, when we first moved to the Bay Area it was a desolate and decayed huge…read morelot with a pet goat and a caretaker in a mobile home to shoo off explorers and vandals. Built in the 1930s by Kenneth Kitchen. It's inspired by romanticized Hindu mysticism as well as the arcane and occult. Because of this the site is covered in symbology and hidden meaning. From the obvious all seeing eye at the front gate to the mini details in the brick there is an esoteric design language that keeps it all unified and cohesive. The legend is also complemented by the fact that the owner and brothers were bricklayers and stone masons and it was only constructed under moon light. It was purchased in 2016 and lovingly restored and developed by the new owners to preserve the local folk-art style architecture. The new main house is next to the "court of mysteries" and a lot of the missing abalone and smashed brick has been painstakingly replaced.

The Court of Mysteries (which also goes by The Red Brick Castle, among other names) is a beautiful…read moremonument and home in Santa Cruz, which not many people know about. It has a very interesting history to it, and though you cannot go inside the house or on the property itself (because it is a private residence), you can still appreciate the architecture from out front, including a lovely fountain in the courtyard, and learn about the stories and mysteries that have defined this unique landmark. These stories can easily be found online, but some of the most interesting details are that the original builder (Kenneth Kitchen and his brother) built it only during the night, modeled it after a Hindu temple, and incorporated hidden messages throughout, using shapes, astrological symbols, and dashes and dots resembling morse code, with possible connection to the occult. Also, there is no historical record of Kenneth Kitchen after he left Santa Cruz in the 1950's, so yeah a lot of oddities to drive your imagination and make you wonder. One of the most intriguing parts of the Court of Mysteries is the "Gate of Prophesy" which has two magnificent towers and an intricately designed archway with the mysterious triangular structure at its center. Beautiful trees and vegetation surround the brick and abalone "temple" and entire site, creating a picturesque scene overall. Apparently the property was restored a few years ago by the previous owners (I'm pretty sure that rebuild didn't occur "only at night"). They even built a house on the left side to live in while reconstructing the Court of Mysteries. The property was subsequently sold in late 2021. If you're interested in a quick visit, it's easy to just park right on the street, take a few photos of the amazing archway and towers, and peek through the gate to see what the Court of Mysteries looks like today... and then maybe amuse yourself with the legend and history behind this strange phenomenon.

The Badger Hills Trail Head at Fort Ord National Monument is a gateway to an place where you'll…read morefind many different types of animals and plants, with some stunning views to be enjoyed. The area is steeped in history, and those who appreciate such things should make a point of visiting. Tip: If your idea of visiting nature requires the kind of crowds and congestion typically found at Yosemite, then this place won't be your cup of tea. That said, if you appreciate quiet, natural beauty with only small crowds to content with, then this is your kind o place! Within the National Monument area, there are several different trails available; you can find something that's short, long, easy, strenuous, or some combination of the aforementioned to suit your personal preference :-) This is a great place for both hiking and biking riding - I suggest you plan a visit to enjoy the natural beauty, and to learn a bit about a place that was once a key training location for the US military.

Saved my mental health during Covid. The goats who traipse through the upper part, accompanied by…read moredogs and shepards, make it an otherworldly experience, especially at dusk.

The Soledad Mission is a beautiful place to stop and explore CA history. I especially enjoyed the…read moregardens and old trees. The ruins in the back were fascinating. My only suggestion is that they clean the fountain and add water plants so that the koi fish can survive. The Santa Barbara Mission did that with their koi fountain and it looks beautiful & healthy.

I really enjoyed my visit Mission Soledad. Although this mission is much smaller than many of the…read moreother missions in California, there is still plenty of beauty to see along your visit. I also wanted to mention that the two women that worked the gift shop works extremely welcoming and treated my wife and I and our son like family. The view surrounding the mission was also breathtaking hills and mountains of luscious California farmland. It definitely made me proud of being born and raised right here in the central Valley of California.

I didn't know that I loved lighthouses until I had the tour of the Point Pinos Lighthouse in…read morePacific Grove. Now I am drawn to lighthouses for their beauty, their history, and their unique mystique. The docents at Point Pinos Lighthouse were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The grounds are impeccable, and the exhibits within the lighthouse are a slice of living history. The setting is stunning, right at Asilomar Beach. You'll want to leave time to walk along the water after you explore the lighthouse. Even if you are not into history or the military or lighthouses, you should definitely drop in to visit this space. You will walk away having digested a bit of unique beauty. Check the hours online -- they are very specific and limited, and it's easy to get shut out. Many people don't know that women often worked the lighthouses back in older times. This is just one fact that stayed with me after my visit. A candle on the water helps lost sailors find their way home.

This is the oldest working lighthouse on the West Coast. It is absolutely beautiful. The volunteers…read moreare amazing and very knowledgeable. The weather was great today and we could not have asked for a more perfect visit. If you are into history or lighthouses or the military this place should be on your radar! This is 100% hands down!!!!

It was hard finding parking on a weekend. Luckily, people don't stay long. Unfortunately, there's…read moreonly one lane going north and one lane going south. The Bixby Bridge was absolutely beautiful. Great place to take pictures and watch the sunset.

This is just one of those iconic bridges you have to just stop, get out the car, and take a few…read moremoments to appreciate with it's stunning backdrop. Parking can be tricky and be careful of traffic. Do yourself a favor and don't just take in the view from the top. There is a little pathway which drops you down lower so you don't get as much of the crowds in your pictures. Also, hop over the otherside of the bridge for a different vantage point.

So grateful to been able to attend Sunday Mass. Basilica is so beautiful and it has so much…read morehistory and also they have free museum and a small shop. Sunday mass is full but the have lots of extra chairs in the back outside the church. Parking could be crowded so get there early.

I have been visiting the California missions throughout my life. Usually it is a positive…read moreexperience. However, I recently revisited the Carmel Basilica on a Sunday, and like other visitors I was totally put off by the commercialization of this particular church/historical monument. There are a few security guards who stand out front and a ticket booth positioned in a way that you cannot enter the church without paying first. The mission is not open everyday which is odd since it is such a beloved place visited by people around the world. The price of admission is 15.00 per person, five dollars higher per person than other missions which are also open everyday. This is quite pricey. If you arrive during mass you may not enter to look around until after mass! It seems really against the whole concept of all are welcome. Lighting one candle is 5.00! Usually it is just a donation or a dollar or two. The parking lot is small and congested. Personally, I enjoyed San Juan Bautista, which is close to Monterey and Carmel, much better. Friendlier, less expensive and open to all everyday! The setting is beautiful as well, surrounded by fields and beautiful gardens. I highly recommend history buffs stop by San Juan Bautista and other smaller missions.

Communications Hill Grand Staircase is a beautiful spot. Great views and a solid workout if you're…read moreup for a fast climb and doing it multiple times. Perfect for a scenic stroll or exercise.

Pretty sweet stairs that runs a long from a residential area up a hill top…read moreIts not that long but its still nice to be able to see the hills ranges sunsets and the tops of the dense housing

I've visited most of the 21 Spanish missions in California, as well as missions in Arizona and…read moreMexico. I've even written a book about the California Missions (The California Mission Guide). Mission San Juan Bautista is my favorite mission to visit! It was the 15th mission in California, and was founded in 1797. The mission itself is mid-sized, and it is well preserved; it is still an active Catholic church. (The climactic scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 film masterpiece, Vertigo, was filmed at Mission San Juan Bautista. There is now a popular coffee shop in town called Vertigo, in honor of the film.) What makes this mission my favorite is the surrounding town. The slogan of San Juan Bautista is "The City of History," and it's well-deserved. Across the street from the mission you'll find the Castro-Breen adobe, built in 1836, and the Plaza Hotel, built in 1856. You can also visit the Plaza stable, built around 1870, which features a small collection of buggies and wagons. The town's original main street is just a couple of blocks from the mission. There is a self-guided walking tour that features almost 50 historic sites from the 1800's. There also restaurants, shops and antique galleries. Plan on spending a full day in San Juan Bautista!

I stopped by the mission after dinner with my 10-year-old niece to say a quick prayer. The church…read moredoors were open when we entered, so we assumed it was available to the public. As we were leaving, a man who appeared to be supervising a school choir approached us abruptly and told us the church was closed and that we needed to leave. The tone and manner felt unnecessarily rude and unwelcoming. I understand there may have been a private event or restricted access, but the doors being open created confusion. More importantly, the interaction itself was disappointing--especially in a place that is meant to feel welcoming. Could you please clarify the policy on public access, and ensure that visitors are treated with courtesy in the future?

What a delightful little jewel in Campbell! I had no idea this place existed until recently based…read moreon some volunteering work that someone I know did here. Each of the rooms has been decorated by a different organization for Christmas and it looks awesome. The volunteers here were so friendly and earnest. Loved it! Check out a slice of history in our backyard!

I find the docents at the Ainsley House very friendly, knowledgeable and very passionate about…read moresharing historical information about this beautiful home located in downtown Campbell. I have been here at Christmas time and every room has a Christmas tree and well decorated by different organizations or individuals. They have two nights were you can visit the beautiful gift shop and enjoy appetizers and wine. Really well done and so magical!