7 Abandoned California Attractions You Can Still See

California has many abandoned sites that still stand as haunting, evocative reminders of past ambitions. You can visit many of these (legally or in permissible areas) if you go prepared, respectful, and with safety in mind. Here are 7 abandoned California attractions you can still see, plus tips.

1. Lake Dolores / Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark (Newberry Springs)

It’s hard not to feel a mix of wonder and nostalgia when standing by the crumbling slides of Lake Dolores. This waterpark, once alive with laughter and splashing, now quietly surrenders to the Mojave sun. I can still spot the concrete frames and empty pools, faded graffiti clinging to their sides like echoes from summers past.

Some of the support structures and half-tumbled buildings peek out from the weeds, reminding me of the wild ambition that drove its creation in 1962. The sense of abandonment is palpable, yet not without traces of determination. On a quiet day, the only sounds are wind and distant highway traffic.

Getting close takes caution. Many parts are now private property, and entry beyond certain points is not allowed. Still, the park’s ghostly silhouette is visible from the nearby road. If you bring a camera and a keen eye, the contrast of vibrant desert and fading fun park feels both melancholy and magnetic. Please respect boundaries, as the site’s ownership has shifted over the years. It’s a testament to how quickly dreams can fade in the California heat, yet their footprints remain for all who pass by.

2. Marshal Scotty’s Playland Park (El Cajon)

Long after the rides stopped spinning, I found myself peeking through the tall grass and fences at Marshal Scotty’s Playland Park. Once a cheerful, bustling spot for birthdays and family outings, the Little Dipper roller coaster now sits quietly, with its once-bright paint fading under the Southern California sun.

Rust and tangled vines have claimed much of the area, weaving through forgotten carousel horses and bumper cars. The playful energy lingers just out of reach, hanging in the air with the scent of sunbaked wood and distant cotton candy memories. On certain evenings in October, the site still comes alive for seasonal events, bringing back a flicker of its festive spirit.

Most days, fences keep visitors at bay, and exploring inside isn’t possible. Still, from just outside, you can spot relics of the park’s glory days peeking through the greenery. It’s bittersweet, so much joy stored in a place now paused, waiting for curious travelers to remember its story. I always leave with a mix of longing and gratitude for this slice of California history.

3. Bodie Ghost Town (Mono County)

If you crave a window into the past, Bodie delivers an authentic slice of the American West. Walking along its wooden sidewalks, I can almost feel the echoes of gold miners, shopkeepers, and families who once filled this small town with ambition and hope. More than a hundred weathered structures remain, each one frozen in a state of ‘arrested decay.’

Glancing through dusty glass, you’ll spot original furniture and faded wallpaper, details left undisturbed for decades. The air hangs heavy with stories: a schoolhouse blackboard still carries chalk marks, an old store stocks long-expired goods, and creaking saloon doors hint at raucous nights. Photographers and history buffs will find endless corners to explore.

Bodie is now a State Historic Park, so visitors can wander legally (weather permitting) and take self-guided tours. There’s a quiet respect that comes with this type of preservation, nothing feels staged, yet everything stands carefully protected. For me, Bodie captures the spirit of early California, resilient and rugged, always holding tight to its secrets.

4. Keane Wonder Mine (Death Valley)

You’ll spot remnants of California’s mining rush standing stark against Death Valley’s epic landscape. Keane Wonder Mine is one of those rare spots where history and harsh reality meet. As I wander the tramway ruins and decaying mill, the scale of effort required to extract gold from desert rock hits home instantly.

Timber frames and old cables stretch across dry hillsides, while the old stamp mill still perches precariously above the valley floor. I tread carefully, signs warn of unstable ground and lingering soil hazards. It’s a raw reminder that fortune-seekers risked everything for a chance at wealth in this unforgiving place.

The site sits within Death Valley National Park, meaning access is permitted, but safety rules apply. I always bring sturdy boots, plenty of water, and stay on posted trails. The mine’s rugged quiet and stark beauty offer a chance to reflect on the extremes people will go to for opportunity in California. To explore here is to step into the shoes of those who gambled big and left their mark on the state’s landscape.

5. The Sunken City (San Pedro / Los Angeles)

There’s nowhere else in California quite like the Sunken City. After a landslide sent homes sliding into the Pacific in 1929, all that remains is a surreal landscape of tilted concrete, exposed pipes, and splashes of spray paint. From the cliff’s edge, I catch a wild view of waves crashing far below.

Curiosity draws plenty of locals and travelers, even though official access is restricted. Some folks still find their way past broken fences, seeking out the art and urban energy that now color the ruins. Standing here, it’s easy to see why this place has inspired artists, photographers, and storytellers for years.

From the right overlook, you don’t need to trespass to witness the Sunken City’s unique beauty. The blend of natural disaster and human creativity gives the whole site a restless charm. Every visit seems to bring new murals and changing patterns as the ocean wind wears the edges smooth.

6. Abandoned Mini-Golf and Cannery Ruins (Various Locations)

Quirkiness sets these smaller attractions apart from the rest. In Apple Valley, the remains of Dinosaur Mini Golf offer a strange mix of giant cracked reptiles and artificial turf now taken over by weeds. I once walked the course, marveling at how quickly nature reclaims even the most whimsical places.

Further north, the skeletal Bayside Cannery stands in the mist along San Francisco Bay. Its rusted frame tells of a time when California’s canneries kept the state’s coast busy and booming. Each twisted beam and broken window offers hints of the workers’ routines, the clatter of machinery, and the salty air.

Scattered throughout the state, these quirky sites invite explorers to piece together stories from what’s left behind. The lack of crowds and formal signs means every visit feels like a small discovery. I always bring a camera, sometimes, the most unexpected ruins make the strongest impression.

7. Route 66 Ghost Town Remnants (Mojave Desert)

You can almost hear the rumble of vintage cars along old Route 66. The Mojave Desert section holds scattered ghost towns and roadside relics, each telling part of California’s road trip legacy. I’ve driven stretches where sun-bleached gas stations and motels stand silent, caught between eras.

Towns like Amboy and the vanished Bagdad show what happens when highways change course. Their empty buildings and timeworn signs sit as reminders that travel in California was once defined by this single road. I always find something new to photograph, a rusty soda machine, peeling paint, or an abandoned café booth.

Traveling these backroads feels different from visiting the bigger attractions. There’s more space to pause, reflect, and consider the communities that rose and fell with the fortunes of Route 66. For me, it’s a living museum of California’s restless spirit and a road best enjoyed with an open schedule and plenty of curiosity.