12 Places In California That Look Like Another Planet

1. Badwater Basin At Death Valley National Park

Badwater Basin is without a doubt one of the most otherworldly destinations to visit in California. Located within Death Valley National Park, Badwater Basin is a large field home to unique salt formations.

Sitting at 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America. This location used to be home to a large lake that eventually evaporated, leaving behind salt and other minerals.

As water rises up from the ground and evaporates, it creates these unique hexagonal shapes that we can see today. The salt field covers 200 miles, but most visitors stay near the entrance by the Badwater Basin boardwalk.

2. Trona Pinnacles

The California desert has a lot of otherworldly destinations. Situated within the California Desert National Conservation Area, Trona Pinnacles is one of these places.

Trona Pinnacles is located a bit out of the way from most major cities, so not many people visit it. This destination is about a 3-hour drive north of Los Angeles and about a 2.5-hour drive east of Bakersfield.

Here you can see towering tufa spires that rise up to 140 feet tall. The alien-like setting makes this a great location for filming movie scenes. Trona Pinnacles has been featured in popular films including Planet of the Apes, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica.

3. Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve

Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve is another unique location in California where you can see hundreds of spiraling tufa towers.

These tufa towers formed underwater at Mono Lake but can now be seen by visitors as the lake water has receded.

Located north of Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve is very easy to access for those traveling along Highway 395.

The best place to see these interesting formations is along the mile-long South Tufa Loop Trail.

Read Next: 25 Best Stops Along Highway 395 In California

4. Bumpass Hell At Lassen Volcanic National Park

Bumpass Hell Trail is a 3-mile hike within Lassen Volcanic National Park that travels through Mars-like landscapes.

Here you can see unique hydrothermal features like boiling mud pots, sulfur vents, and steaming pools that will transport you to another planet.

There are designated walkways set up so visitors can walk across the landscape safely. Venturing off the path can be very dangerous as the pools and geysers can reach unpredictable temperatures.

Read Next: 12 Incredible Volcanic Destinations In California

5. Artists Palette At Death Valley National Park

When I first visited Death Valley’s Artists Palette, I couldn’t believe a place like this exists! Artists Palette is a geological wonder home to rolling hills covered in bright colors from pinks and oranges to turquoise and green.

Artists Palette started forming 5 million years ago when volcanic ash and minerals blanketed the landscape. Over the years, the minerals were altered by water and heat, creating these colorful hills that we can see today.

I visited this location during sunrise when the colors looked extra vibrant. There is a designated visitor lot and walking paths that you can take through these hills.

6. Devils Golf Course

Devils Golf Course is another unique destination within Death Valley National Park that will leave you in awe!

Here you can see a large field with crystallized salt deposits from an ancient lake. But unlike Badwater Basin, which is mostly flat, Devils Golf Course formations are very rugged and jagged.

Shaped by rain and wind, these salt formations are always changing in shape. If you listen carefully, you might hear a cracking sound as the salt expands and contracts.

Visitor Tip: Be careful walking across this field. The salt formations are very sharp and can easily cut your skin if you trip and fall.

7. Amboy Crater

Located along Route 66 in the Mojave Desert, Amboy Crater is a hidden gem in California. Rising 250 feet above the bare desert landscape, this crater looks like something you would see on Mars!

To visit the crater, take the 4-mile-long Amboy Crater Trail that travels to the crater summit. The trail will take you through a lava field where an explosive eruption breached the crater wall. This created a wide opening allowing visitors access to hike up to the crater summit.

8. Salton Sea

Salton Sea is a vast salt lake in Southern California near San Diego. This is the largest lake in California by surface water that was accidentally created in 1905 as the Colorado River flooded the area.

In the 1950s, the Salton Sea was a popular vacation spot. But as the pollution rose from agricultural runoff, it drove the tourism away, leaving an eerie, abandoned feel to the surroundings.

Salton Sea has a very surreal look, with salt-covered beaches and abandoned ghost towns along its shoreline.

9. Red Rock Canyon State Park

Red Rock Canyon State Park is a hidden gem along Highway 14 in California. Here you can walk through colorful sandstone formations that will make you feel like you’re stepping onto another planet!

For first-time visitors, I recommend starting with the 1.2-mile-long Hagen Canyon Nature Trail and the 1-mile-long Red Cliffs Trail. These trails will take you up close to the colorful cliffs, buttes, and unique rock formations.

10. Black Sands Beach In Shelter Cove

You don’t have to travel to Iceland to experience otherworldly volcanic landscapes. California has its own black sand beach in a remote part of Northern California.

Black Sands Beach covers a 3.5-mile stretch of rugged coastline as part of the Lost Coast Trail. The beach here is made of dark volcanic sand that looks especially stark against the ocean backdrop.

Important Visitor Tip: It is dangerous to get in the water here. Extra caution should be used when visiting Black Sands Beach due to strong waves and currents.

11. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Death Valley National Park has no shortage of alien-like landscapes. Another location that looks out of this world is the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes that span across the desert floor as far as you can see!

There are no designated trails here, but visitors can climb up the dunes and walk around them. The climb up can be a bit challenging as some of them reach a height of 100 feet.

If you enjoy photography, I recommend visiting the dunes during sunrise or sunset when the shadows can create extra contrast and a dramatic look.

12. Rainbow Basin Natural Area

Rainbow Basin Natural Area is a unique destination just outside of Barstow. This is a great stop to explore for those driving to Las Vegas or Big Bear Lake.

Rainbow Basin Natural Area is very similar to Death Valley Artists Palette, just not as crowded. Here you can explore striking rock formations that are painted in various hues from reds to yellows, oranges, and greens.

Most visitors drive the Fossil Canyon Loop Road, which runs through the area. Adventurous types can also go on trails by following washed-out canyon floors.

Just be sure to bring plenty of water and tell someone where you’re heading, as this area is very remote and can get very hot in the summer months.

I hope this list has helped you discover a few otherworldly destinations to visit in California!

Looking for more California travel inspiration? Here are a few other popular posts below:

• 50 Interesting & Unique Places To Visit In California
• 20 Gorgeous Lakes To Visit In Mammoth, California
• 12 Top Adrenaline-Pumping Activities In California
• 15 Top FREE Things To Do In California
• 15 Places In California That Look Like Other Countries

This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

Share This On Pinterest!