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Everywhere I go in San Francisco I see cars with yellow “The Mystery Spot” bumper stickers.
I thought it was some clever advertising for a pub or nightclub. A creepy nightspot with speed dating nights that don’t filter out participants with hygiene issues.
Luckily, and as usual, I was wrong.
The Mystery Spot is a bona fide tourist spot in Santa Cruz, California. It’s marketed as a “gravitational anomaly” in the middle of a redwood forest and it’s well worth the visit.
It made my head spin in two ways, from dizziness and incredulous-ness (yep, it’s a word now). I’m still trying to work out what’s going on at The Mystery Spot. Allow me to explain.
THE MYSTERY SPOT HISTORY
Discovered in 1939 by surveyors, The Mystery Spot spans a 46 metre circle (150 feet) of Santa Cruz forest land.
The Australians in the crowd might be happy to hear that the Redwood trees are joined by quite a few Eucalypts leaning at strange angles. Some even grow in arcs or corkscrews, which is different since they’re usually a straight-up-and-down kind of tree.
It’s a place where the laws of gravity don’t seem to function in the same way as they do elsewhere in the world.
The land was purchased by George Prather in 1939, who wanted to buy a piece of adjoining flat land from a timber company. But they wouldn’t sell it unless he also bought part of the mountainside.
Specifically, the part of the mountainside that structures seemed to slide down inexplicably. They kept that a secret from young George till after the sale though.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE
It was turned into a tourist attraction in 1940 or ’41 (depending on the source you’re reading) and is listed as a California Historical Landmark.
You might be thinking that it sounds a little wishy-washy in terms of a tourist destination, but you’re wrong.
For your $8 entrance fee you get a 45 minute tour up the mountainside to a cabin that defies gravity. With lots of spirit level demonstrations to boot.
Be warned though, if you’re prone to vertigo or dizziness, this might not be the place for you. I felt pretty disoriented for most of the time that we were up there.
THE TOUR
Bright and early on a Sunday morning, our tour guide Anna had to deal with a less than excited group of sight seers.
But she soldiered on and by the end we were all laughing like kids and pretending to be Superman. More on the superhero antics later.
After a bit of history we climbed a little way up a hill. Not a particularly steep one but it took the wind out of me. That’s because it feels like an invisible force is trying to push you back down.
GRAVITY AND THE MYSTERY SPOT
The cabin is quite obviously slanted down the hill, and yet, standing outside its front door, you lean in the opposite direction.
You’re a human who’s probably mastered the art of standing up straight (let’s leave my hunchback out of this). But things are different at The Mystery Spot.
Instead of standing straight or even leaning “down” the hill, you’ll very noticeably be leaning up it. Except you won’t notice it until you look around and see everyone else leaning.
Then there’s the board “trick”. You’d think that placing a wooden board at an angle through the cabin’s windowsill would send any object placed on it careening to the lower side.
Not at The Mystery Spot.
First a billiard ball placed in the middle of the board rolled straight to the higher side. Then water poured into a groove spilled right out of the higher side.
COME ON IN!
Now it’s time to hold onto your hats and step inside. The cabin has two rooms – the first holds a table and a bar to swing from, the second has a hanging weight and some “stairs”.
This is where my superhero impression comes in. Standing on the flat table (proven with that spirit level I mentioned before) you lean right out over the edge at an angle that would see you tumble over in any other normal place on earth.
So of course we all pretended we could fly.
Then there’s the bar (kind of like a chin up bar) placed over the door jamb. Usually when you pull yourself up your legs point straight down.
At The Mystery Spot, as soon as your feet leave the floor they’re swept downhill significantly. It’s so strange to watch.
As for the pendulum weight, it swings uphill but not downhill. And a set of ladder rungs bolted to a wall feels like you’re walking up stairs, not precariously teetering on a ladder.
THE DETAILS
Of course I’m leaving bits and pieces out, you’ll need to go to The Mystery Spot to experience it for yourself.
But it’s a great way to spend an hour and kids will be fascinated by the experience.
Where: 465 Mystery Spot Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
When: Open every day from 10am to 4pm.
Cost: $8 per person (children under 3 are free) and $5 parking fee. Bring cash!
Tips: Buy tickets from the website in advance so that you’re not disappointed on the day. Tours can sell out in advance.
Amenities: There are bathrooms, a gift shop, picnic tables and a “Snack Shack” with food like hot dogs and nachos (plenty of vegetarian options).
What else: If you want to spend a bit longer at The Mystery Spot, take advantage of the hiking trail loop through the redwoods.
That sounds so interesting and definitely something I feel like I need to experience for myself. I am pinning this so I can try and do it the next time I am in the bay area.
Thanks Anisa, it was a great place to visit, even though I’ve been thinking about going for two years š
Oh my goodness this place looks bizarre! I wonder whether this is where Michael Jackson came to practise his leaning over dance moves š
Bahahaha! Excellent point Anna! I’ll have to ask one day š
How funny! Great shot of you on the table (and love the parrot!)
I have to thank Anna for that shot, because (as usual) I was loning it and had no one to take my photo.
That sounds awesome!!!
I might just be really easy to amuse, but I loved it.
That looks so cool!
Wowsers.You wont get photos like that again anywhere I believe. What an amazing place and experience. Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek 42/52. Next week: Meditation. Yay or Nay.
Not unless I suddenly become impervious to gravity! š
Oh yeah, I have heard and seen all sort of stickers and shirts about this place. It is the first time I understand what happens there. Nice to read your account since I have heard other people say it is a fraud. #FarawayFiles
I was always curious about it from all of the bumper stickers. It’s a great marketing campaign for them!
This sounds oh so peculiar, Katherine, and yet I feel compelled to go one day! I’d really love to see all the redwoods one day in any case. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
The Redwoods are worth it by themselves, and I think The Mystery Spot is one of those great “off-the beaten track” places (I know, a terrible cliche).
Oh my gosh, this place looks crazy! I have to admit, I quite enjoy tourist attractions like this. It looks like a fun place to visit. #FlyAwayFriday
Me too Courtney! I think I just like trying to twist my brain around what’s going on.
Funny! I’ve seen the stickers – but never heard of this place! Crazy! Glad it wasn’t a speed-dating no hygiene issue to be honest! Quirky fun in nature? Yes please. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Hahaha, I am also glad it wasn’t weird speed-dating. It was the best thing I could come up with.
I was excited to see this post. It brought back fond memories of family trips. My dad’s a teacher, and used to love taking us to The Mystery Spot. I know it was a lesson in perception, but I think really he just liked seeing the confused looks on our faces. š #FlyAwayFriday. – Rob.
This is SO UP MY ALLEY, Kat! It reminds me of the ninja trick house in Japan – it really messes with your mind, doesn’t it? Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday – hope to see you again this weekend! xo
Looks like a really fun spot to go with a group of friends! I would love to do this at some point. Hope to see you at Fly Away Friday tomorrow!