The Mystery Spot

Just up the hill from Santa Cruz, California, is a place called the Mystery Spot. It’s a well-known tourist attraction that has been around since 1939. Located in a scenic redwood grove on a steep hillside, it features a number of structures—buildings, walkways, and more—that seem out of balance with the natural landscape. They appear tilted, skewed, and somehow out of sync with logic or the laws of physics. Basically, it’s... a mystery. I guess.

After many years of visiting the Santa Cruz area and hearing all about this attraction, we finally decided to check it out. Our tour of the Mystery Spot was guided, with our host walking and talking us through the various exhibits. The whole experience took about 30 minutes.

I won’t give away too many details—I wouldn’t want to spoil your visit, nor influence your perception of the mystery. It’s best if you decide for yourself.

But here are a few reasons why you might want to visit the Mystery Spot:

* It’s set in a beautiful redwood grove—very peaceful and pleasant.

* The cost is a mere $10.

* You get a free bumper sticker with your tour. (This might explain the hundreds I’ve seen over the years!)

* You’ll get the chance to solve the mystery. It may awaken your inner child to the possibility of a supernatural force shaping this surreal spot.

* Or, you might just admire the ingenuity, vision, and perhaps a touch of hucksterism behind the whole experience.

* And maybe, like me, you’ll share the outing with a friend. Actually, that’s the real reason I went—my wife wanted to see it, with me.

Thousands of people have visited this curious place. So, how could you not go and draw your own conclusions about the mystery? And hey—it’s only $10.

Enjoy!

~ Steve Beals