The Golden State has something to offer all types of travelers. If you prefer lounging on the beach, cocktail in hand, then you can do so here on an endless string of beaches. If you prefer spending hours on end on hiking trails then California has plenty of parks waiting for you! From chic boutiques to wonders created by mother nature and humans alike, there are plenty of things to see and visit.

Today, let’s go over 12 breathtaking Californian destinations that you won’t believe are actually real!

Salton Sea

Ah, the Salton Sea… which is actually a lake! More specifically, it’s a saline, endorheic rift lake that formed back in 1905 when the Colorado River burst.

Today, the area around the lake is eerily quiet, perfect for a spooky visit. When the lake formed, a town developed around it some 80mi east of the Pacific Ocean. But then, disaster stuck. The water became polluted, so people started leaving the area in the 1960s.

Plenty of proposals have cropped up in an attempt to rejuvenate the area but until that happens you can still visit the ghost town and take an abundance of haunting pictures!