Roadside Americana · California
The Mystery Spot
A gravity-illusion tourist classic since 1939
TypeRoadside Oddity
StateCalifornia
WhenYear-round
How to visitTicketed; timed tours (book ahead in summer)
A tilted cabin in the redwoods above Santa Cruz where balls roll uphill and people stand at impossible angles — a gravity-hill optical-illusion attraction that’s been delighting (and bumper-stickering) road-trippers since 1939. Cheesy, charming, essential.
The photo
Standing at an impossible lean inside the cabin.
Pair it with
- Santa Cruz
- Boardwalk
- Redwoods
- Monterey Bay
Build a trip around roadside stops like this.
Save catalog-backed stops to My Trips on the web now. The iOS beta is testing the on-road companion: verified check-ins, badges, shared trips, and your growing map of America.
Where to stay
Find a place to stay near The Mystery Spot, California.
Hotels, cabins, and rentals close to the action — compare and book for your trip.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link — at no extra cost to you.