California

A large statue of Jesus on a desert hillside, with a jet aircraft flying over, leaving a vapor trail

A Jesus Theme Park on the Way to Joshua Tree

When I first learned about Desert Christ Park in Weird California, I put it on my bucket list because it seemed like good fodder for a snarky blog post. But instead, I found the experience strangely moving. Just about two hours outside of Los Angeles and half an hour before you reach Joshua Tree National

A deserted street in an old western town

Pioneertown: One of the Last of the Great Movie Ranches

About two hours outside of Los Angeles is a strange landscape that feels worlds away from anywhere you’ve ever been. The hills are populated with scraggly ocotillo and creosote bush…and massive piles of boulders. If you were going to film a movie like Of Dust and Bones, this would be your place. But when you

A large camphor tree in a small park, with Santa Claus and other Christmas decorations below.

The Hay Tree, Paramount, California

The Hay Tree is a 120 year old camphor tree where local dairymen from Hynes and Clearwater would bid on hay back in the first part of the 20th century. I don’t think there’s any more significance to the tree beyond a couple guys saying, “hey, let’s meet under that big tree over there.” I