One of our absolute favorite things to do when we are out riding around is to find roadside oddities and attractions. We have been known to make many a U-turn while driving down the road. This page will be dedicated to any roadside attractions we have found in the state of California.
It will be a constant work in progress as we will add new oddities and attractions every time we find one. Make sure you check back often for new updates. Better Yet, subscribe to my site so you will be informed each time content is added. Don’t worry, no spam here. I only send out emails once a week, usually on Fridays. Subscribe Here
Center Of The World
Location: 1 Center of the World Plaza
City: Felicity
Region of State Located: Southeast Tip
Google Maps Pin
Located in the tiny desert town of Felicity, California, the “Center of the World” is exactly what it sounds like… according to one very determined man and a few official-looking plaques. This unusual attraction was created by Jacques-André Istel, who spent decades developing Felicity as a cultural and spiritual destination. In 1985, the County of Imperial officially recognized this exact spot as the Center of the World, complete with a granite monument and a declaration that visitors can literally stand at the middle of everything. Whether you take that claim seriously or with a grain of desert sand is entirely up to you.
A visit here is simple, quiet, and surprisingly thought-provoking. You’ll find a small plaza, monuments, a short walkway lined with inscriptions, and a peaceful desert backdrop that makes the whole experience feel oddly meaningful. There’s even a small museum and a nearby church that adds to the town’s artistic and philosophical vibe. Most people don’t stay long, but almost everyone leaves smiling, if only because they can now truthfully say they’ve stood at the center of the world and taken a selfie ($2 for an official certificate) to prove it. It’s quirky, sincere, and wonderfully weird in the best roadside-attraction way.
The center of the world is located within the pyramid that houses “the spot” designated by a bronze disk on the pyramid floor. This roadside attraction features the “Center of the World”, a portion of the Eiffel Tower Staircase, a sundial replica of the “Hand of the God” which points to a church up on a large hill (which you can walk up to), and large rows of granite memorial walls. There is a cost of $3 to enter.
Check Out My Slideshow Of The Center Of The World
Slideshow of the Center Of The World
Music Used in the Video: The Father’s House (Instrumental) by The Jordan Singers via Epidemic Sounds
Cloud Museum
Location: 1398 York Road
City: Bard
Region of State Located: Southeast Tip
Google Maps Pin
The Cloud Museum in Bard, California, is a hidden gem for anyone who enjoys old cars, classic trucks, and the kind of roadside stops that feel like stepping into someone’s personal collection, from the 1900’s because that’s pretty much what it is. This private museum is packed with vintage vehicles, including Model T cars, early trucks, tractors, and other mechanical throwbacks from a bygone era. From the road, it doesn’t look like much, which makes the discovery even better when you realize just how much history is tucked away behind the gates.
Inside, you’ll find rows of preserved machines along with old signs, tools, and memorabilia that bring early American transportation and rural life back to life. It feels less like a formal museum and more like visiting a really enthusiastic collector who decided to share his passion with the world. There are old buildings set up they way they were years ago like an old post office with PO boxes and all. There’s a lot to look at, plenty to photograph, and no pressure to rush through. Whether you’re a serious car buff or just enjoy seeing how people used to get around before GPS and cup holders, the Cloud Museum offers a surprisingly fun and memorable stop in the middle of the desert. There is a $10 admission fee.
Enjoy This Slideshow/Video of the Cloud Museum using the Link Below
Cloud Museum Slideshow/Video
Music Used in this Video: State Park by Adam Ollendorf, My Honesty by J.F. Gloss, I Could Fall in Love With You (Instrumental) by Arch Tremors, and A Tether (Instrumental Version) by Kylie Dailey – Licensed via Epidemic Sound
Galleta Meadows Estate
Location: 1700-1844 Borrego Springs Rd
City: Borrego Springs
Region of State Located: Southern Tip
Google Maps Pin
Galleta Meadows Estate in Borrego Springs, California, is what happens when someone decides the desert needs more giant metal dinosaurs, camels, and mythical creatures, and then actually makes it happen. Spread out along the roads on the edge of town, this massive outdoor art installation features over 100 life-sized and larger-than-life metal sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda. Funded by philanthropist Dennis Avery, the project has transformed miles of open desert into a free, open-air gallery where prehistoric animals, pioneers, and fantastical figures casually coexist under the blazing sun.
Driving through Galleta Meadows feels like stumbling into a sci-fi movie, a history lesson, and an art exhibit all at once. One minute you’re passing towering serpents and saber-toothed cats, the next you’re spotting a stagecoach or a giant scorpion in the distance. There are no gates, no admission fees, and no set path, just roads, desert views, and constant “Did you see that?” moments. Whether you explore by car, bike, or on foot, it’s an unforgettable roadside stop that proves the middle of nowhere can sometimes be the most interesting place of all.
Imperial Date Gardens
Location: 1304 York Road
City: Winterhaven
Region of State Located: Southeast Tip
Google Maps Pin
Imperial Date Gardens in Winterhaven, California is a classic desert-side stop that’s both tasty and picturesque. This family-run date farm specializes in premium Medjool dates, hand-selected and harvested in the ideal climate of the Bard Valley, just across the Colorado River. It’s the kind of place where the simple sweetness of the fruit matches the laid-back charm of the region, and you’ll likely smell sugar in the air before you even see the date palms. You won’t find a flashy tourist trap here, just old-fashioned quality, delicious samples, and plenty of gift boxes to satisfy both your sweet tooth and your holiday shopping list.
While dates might not be the first thing you think of on a California road trip, a stop here feels like stumbling into a delicious slice of agricultural history. In addition to classic jumbo Medjools, the garden’s seasonal offerings include chocolate-covered dates, nut-stuffed varieties, and baked goods like date nut bread, perfect fuel for the road ahead. The farm store is typically open during the Medjool season (late fall through early spring), so timing your visit right means you can enjoy fresh produce and learn a bit about how this unique fruit is grown in the desert. Whether you’re in it for the snacks or just want a quirky, flavorful detour off the highway, Imperial Date Gardens delivers a sweet memory with every bite.
Imperial Date Gardens Official Website
Plank Road
Location: Gray Wells Rd/Off Interstate 8
City: Winterhaven
Region of State Located: Southeast Tip
Google Maps Pin
Plank Road in Winterhaven, California is one of those roadside curiosities that makes travelers do a double-take and think, “Wait… was that really a road made of wood?” Back in the early 20th century, before modern pavement stretched across the West, some inventive engineers experimented with wooden plank surfaces to help cars and wagons cross soft, sandy, or muddy ground. What remains near Gray Wells Road just off Interstate 8 is a rare surviving stretch of that old wooden roadway, essentially a time capsule of early automotive ingenuity tucked into the desert.
Today, Plank Road isn’t a high-speed scenic byway, but that’s part of the charm. You can see the aged wood planks still lying in place (or poking up through the dirt), reminding visitors how rough and inventive travel once was. It’s not far from the highway, but it feels like a journey back before asphalt and concrete became the default. Whether you’re a history buff, a roadside explorer, or just someone who enjoys weird bits of infrastructure that most people have never heard of, Plank Road delivers exactly the kind of “only in America” moment that makes road trips memorable. Just don’t expect to drive on it like you would a modern road, this one’s best appreciated on foot and with your camera ready.
Twin Totem Pole #1
Location: 301 Sorensen Ave (CA 111)
City: Calipatria
Region of State Located: Southern Tip
Google Maps Pin
Sometimes the best roadside oddities aren’t on any map, they’re the ones you discover by accident while heading home from somewhere else. That’s exactly how these unexpected totem poles in Calipatria, California came into view. Located outside what was once Archie’s Place (now Birrieria La Patria) along Highway 111, two tall, colorful totem poles stand quietly near the roadside, catching the attention of anyone who happens to be paying attention instead of just cruising past. In the middle of flat desert farmland, seeing something that looks straight out of the Pacific Northwest feels delightfully out of place.
No plaques, no gift shop, and no official explanation, just two hand-carved figures standing guard outside a local business, doing their job as accidental landmarks. Whether they were meant as artwork, decoration, or simply a way to make the building impossible to miss, they’ve become a memorable roadside curiosity. It’s the kind of stop where you pull over, snap a few photos, shrug, and smile, because sometimes the best travel moments don’t come with a backstory. They just show up when you least expect them and make your ride a little more interesting.
Twin Totem Pole #2
This one was located next to the one listed above