Central California's Unique Tourist Attraction Is A Gravitational Enigma Worth Visiting

Nestled in the redwoods of Santa Cruz is a spot that has been leaving visitors dumbfounded for decades. Balls rolling uphill, people walking up walls, and a wonky gravitational pull are all a part of the experience at the Mystery Spot. Discovered in 1939, the Mystery Spot is an alleged "gravitational anomaly" where the laws of physics inexplicably work differently in the 150-foot area. In a 45-minute tour, guests are shown a variety of peculiar oddities and experience the altered gravity for themselves. A video from @californices on Instagram shows water seemingly flowing uphill, people standing almost horizontally, and mindbending angles of the mysterious house.

While the reasoning behind the odd gravitational pull is unknown, several theories — including extraterrestrial interference — have been put forward. From buried spaceships to magma vortexes, plenty of visitors and staff alike have taken guesses as to why the Mystery Spot is so wonky. However, you won't be able to make a guess until you see the place for yourself. The tickets are $10 for adults with a $5 parking fee, and the whole experience takes less than 2 hours to explore.

Visitors online raved about the kitschy energy of the Mystery Spot, emphasizing that while it's a bit cheesy, it's still a must-see for the ultimate West Coast road trip. One reviewer on TripAdvisor wrote, "The tour itself is fun. It's corny, but once you embrace it, you'll enjoy yourself immensely. No one in our tour wasn't smiling and laughing." It's perfect for people of all ages, but an especially interesting visit for kids and teens. Another reviewer wrote, "For a mere 10 bucks, it is certainly a worthwhile adventure for the young ones. While out in the boondocks, it is worth making the trip for the unusual experience."

The Mystery Spot tour doesn't take too long, just 45 minutes in total. While there is a beautiful hiking trail nearby, it's also a quick trip. This makes this Santa Cruz spot the perfect day-trip destination. It's probably not worth a flight just for the roadside anomaly, but it's certainly worth a detour. Whether you're in Santa Cruz to camp amongst the giant redwoods or to catch waves at the beach, the Mystery Spot is a fun — and odd — place to stop by.