Los Angeles, California: Garden of Oz

This fascinating mosaic and plant garden is only open to the public two hours a week, but there is a card posted to the front gate with an email address (GARDENOFOZ at me.com), so you can make an appointment to view the garden at other times. No cameras or phones are allowed inside the gate.

This is an extraordinary sight not to be missed! You can only park on one side of the narrow street. Driving up Beechwood, you get an excellent view of the Hollywood sign!

On a narrow hillside street, an artist created his intricate backyard art environment of concrete, glass, castoff toys and other junk used in novel ways. He's been working on it for decades.

One catch -- these days it's private, and the gate is locked. However, enough of the assemblage runs along the outer, public edge of the property that it's at least worth a drive-by. Peering through the fence and foliage, you'll catch glimpses of small tiled terraces going up the slope, with statuary and colorful constructions.

We've read that while outsiders are asked to be respectful of the owner's privacy and keep moving, neighborhood children (at least at some time in the past) were issued keys so they could let themselves in to wander at will.

There's a mailbox where you can leave a "Letter to Oz."