San Diego, California Attractions
Unusual landmarks, museums, roadside attractions, and hidden wonders in San Diego and the surrounding area. Statues of Bob Hope and a giant, smooching sailor lend 20th century nostalgic flair to this Navy city's waterfront. Inland, Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden spins public art into a dizzy fever dream.
Sights for Oddball Excursions
Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden
Escondido, California
Colorful fantasy sculpture world of tiles and serpents. Massive work by sculptor and painter Niki de Saint Phalle.
Unarius Academy of Science
El Cajon, California
Headquarters of the Unarians, firm believers that 33 city-ships of the galactic Federation would arrive on Earth in 2001 (they didn't).
Craftsmanship Museum: Tiny Machines
Carlsbad, California
It's tricky enough to build a gun or a car that works. The obsessive model-builders in this museum take it a big step further by building their machines on an itty-bitty scale.
Giant Mary and Toddler Jesus
El Cajon, California
Officially called the Mariam Mother of Life Shrine. Completed in 2003. Made of stone from Lebanon, the property was a Lebanese Catholic church.
Surfing Madonna
Encinitas, California
Glass mosaic of the Virgin de Guadalupe surfing, installed clandestinely in 2011 by artist Mark Patterson, has a permanent home right across from the spot of its original manifestation.
In and Around San Diego
Choice field reports and tips. Or check out: Complete list of California attractions.
- San Diego: A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military
- Escondido: Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden
- Carlsbad: Craftsmanship Museum: Tiny Machines
- San Diego: Statues of Bum and Greyfriars Bobby [tips]
- San Diego: Air and Space Museum: Nazi Flying Wing, Apollo 9 Capsule [tips]
- San Diego: Louie Mattar's Fabulous $75,000 Cadillac
- San Diego: Museum of Us [tips]
- San Diego: Embracing Peace Statue
- San Diego: Model Railroad: World's Largest? [tips]
- San Diego: HMS Surprise - Master and Commander Ship [tips]
- San Diego: Giant Lion - Rex's Roar
- San Diego: Barrio Logan Art: Under the Bridge [tips]
- San Diego: Our Lady of Shoes
- Coronado: Haunted Hotel
- San Diego: Cancer Survivor Gauntlet
- San Diego: Bali Hai: Tiki Restaurant [tips]
- San Diego: U.S.S. Recruit - Landlocked Dummy Ship [tips]
- San Diego: Sidewalk Graves
- San Diego: Mexican Cowboy, Courtesy of Mexico's President
- San Diego: Tunaman's Memorial [tips]
- San Diego: Yard Aliens, Pirates, Santas, Signs [tips]
