Hidden California

For all hidden, abandoned, undiscovered & magical places in California!

06/24/2026

Arlington Garden: https://hiddenca.com/arlington-garden/

The Arlington Garden is a public 3-acre garden in Pasadena. The garden is located on the former staging ground site for the 710 freeway which was halted due to the community opposing it. In 2005, the Arlington Garden was birthed instead.

The garden includes thousands of California-native plants such as poppies, sunflowers, cactus and succulents, orchards of orange and olive trees, and many more species. It also includes a variety of benches and tables, birdbaths and statuary.

There are many unique features to stumble upon here including a labyrinth, pine forest, vernal pool, citrus grove, pomegranate amphitheater and so much more! Yoko Ono even has an art installation here ‘Wish Tree,’ which was donated to the Arlington Garden as a permanently installation.

More photos, info and directions here: https://hiddenca.com/arlington-garden/

06/16/2026

The LAB Anti-Mall: https://hiddenca.com/the-lab-anti-mall/

For those who crave unique experiences, art installations and are tired of your average, everyday shopping mall, the LAB Anti-Mall might be the place for you! Located in Costa Mesa, this mall began its journey to combat retail monotony more than 25 years ago.

I was floored to learn that it had been around for so long! I figured this was a hot new pop-up of sorts that one could only hope would be in it for the long run. Boy was I wrong! I am so impressed with how ahead of its time it was but I guess when artists are involved, a place can easily become timeless.

The LAB stands for “Little American Business,” which is the backbone of this entire establishment. There are unique restaurants, a speakeasy, clothing stores, a record shop and even hair salons here. Each company has its own flair and so much to offer with the overall aesthetics of this mall.

The location couldn’t be more perfect, planted inside of a traditional suburban neighborhood in Orange County. This is the type of area that could use a little shaking up. This seems like the kind of place you’d find in the heart of the city. But alas, here we are in the land of normalcy inside a place that is anything but.

More photos, info and directions here: https://hiddenca.com/the-lab-anti-mall/

06/15/2026

Andrew Molera State Park: https://hiddenca.com/andrew-molera-state-park/

Named after local rancher Andrew Molera, this mostly undeveloped stretch of the Big Sur coast offers nearly 5,000 acres of rugged landscapes, beaches, meadows, and scenic trails. Long before the park was established, the area known as Sargenta ruc was home to the Rumsen and Esselen peoples, who lived here for thousands of years and built thriving fishing and trading communities. In recent years, the Esselen Tribe regained more than 1,100 acres along the Little Sur River, helping restore an important part of their cultural heritage.

Today, visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing opportunities, and some of the most consistent surfing conditions in Big Sur. The park features more than 15 miles of trails winding through coastal bluffs, open meadows, and river crossings. Vehicle day use parking currently costs $10 per car.

Vibrant wildflowers transformed the landscape with brilliant colors when we visited in spring. A refreshing creek crossing led to the beach, where strong winds quickly sent hikers back inland. Along the way, the Creamery Trail offered beautiful scenery, plenty of trail options, and even an unexpected sighting of a tiny baby rattlesnake.

More photos, info and directions: https://hiddenca.com/andrew-molera-state-park/

06/11/2026

Ancient Bristlecone Forest: https://hiddenca.com/ancient-bristlecone-forest/

Article & Photos by Josh JN Claros

High up in the White Mountains of California you will find the oldest trees in the world – the Ancient Bristlecone Pine. They have survived harsh conditions over millennia, gnarled over time, still standing like tough warriors. Some of these trees are over 4,000 years old and it shows.

The trees have a certain energy about them. They pull you in and grab your attention. Having lived for so long they have developed a lot of character, if you are a photographer you will have a lot of fun photographing them.

More photos, info and directions here: https://hiddenca.com/ancient-bristlecone-forest/

05/31/2026

Hidden Gems of Topanga Canyon: https://hiddenca.com/hidden-gems-of-topanga-canyon/

Just like all of Los Angeles, you can tell that the secrets are THICK out here, mostly tucked away in lush, wooded pockets not open to the public. That’s ok though because there are still plenty of public spaces to explore!

When one thinks of Topanga Canyon, visions of a bohemian oasis filled with artists and free spirits high above the craziness of Los Angeles may come to mind.

Plenty of famous artists have called this area home. Music legends like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and The Doors found inspiration tucked within its winding canyon roads.

During the 1960s, this small community became a haven for the West Coast counterculture and psychedelic movements.
I have only visited this area twice, but that was more than enough time for me to fall in love. Lush greenery welcome you on the windy roads with quirky shops and tasty cafes. There are MANY hiking trails out here which we will hopefully explore during another visit.

See full list: https://hiddenca.com/hidden-gems-of-topanga-canyon/

05/29/2026

Pine Mountain Club: https://hiddenca.com/visit-pine-mountain-club/

If you’re craving a true escape from the chaos of city life, Pine Mountain Club is a dreamy mountain hideaway tucked inside Los Padres National Forest, just 1.5 hours northeast of LA — close enough for a weekend trip, far enough to feel like a world away.

Fern’s Lake is just a minute from town and completely free to visit, where you can relax by a little waterfall and even spot bears coming to drink in the evenings!

Hikers will be in heaven with miles of trails to explore, and golfers can tee off against one of the most stunning mountain backdrops imaginable.

Learn more about this mountain town: https://hiddenca.com/visit-pine-mountain-club/

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