We Dare You To Take This Road Trip To Southern California’s Most Abandoned Places

If you love a thrilling road trip, then you'll want to jump in your car right away and hit the road on an adventure to see some of the most captivating abandoned places in Southern California. From a creepy abandoned zoo to a hauntingly beautiful hand-carved tunnel, this fun itinerary will keep you in awe. Ready to hit the road? Gas up and let's go!

A Southern California road trip to some truly fascinating abandoned places - now that sounds like a journey!

You can choose to start this seven-hour road trip at any point on the map. But for today, we're going to start from Los Angeles and work our way clockwise to explore each of these creepy places in Southern California.

1. Griffith Park Old Zoo, Los Angeles

Long before the present-day Los Angeles zoo opened, it was originally located inside Griffith Park. From 1912 to 1965, this old abandoned zoo was a thriving destination for locals. Today it sits empty and abandoned with many of the original structures and animal cages still in place. It's quite the eerie place to be, especially after dark, so make sure to visit this spot in the daylight! This lesser-known abandoned zoo in Southern California is an eerie spot you won't soon forget.

2. Burro Schmidt Tunnel, Randsburg

The Burro Schmidt Tunnel, located in the Mojave Desert within the El Paso Mountains, is a breathtaking sight to see. This abandoned tunnel was hand-carved by a lone man during the gold mining days; it stretches nearly a half-mile long. You can see this tunnel in person by heading toward Red Rock Canyon State Park along Highway 14. It's a fascinating slice of SoCal history.

3. Calico Ghost Town, Yermo

In the late 1800s, the town of Calico was a thriving destination that was known as a silver mining town. Once the industry died, Calico's population dwindled and it turned into a ghost town. Today, this former mining town is now a county park. Many of the abandoned buildings and houses have been restored so people can tour this former ghost town and experience a glimpse of 1800s history.

4. Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark/Lake Delores Waterpark, Newberry Springs

The former location of a once-popular amusement park is now quite a sad sight to see. Located in the town of Newberry Springs, the Rock-a-Hoola Amusement Park sits abandoned, vandalized, and empty. It's sure a far cry from the lively setting it used to be. This eerie abandoned amusement park in Southern California is nightmare fuel for some, paradise for others. Either way, eek.

Driving to see these four abandoned places in Southern California will be quite a full day. Plan on between seven to eight hours, plus traffic, to hit them all. Make sure to grab some snacks, pack your phone charger, and fill up a bottle of water to prepare for a fabulous SoCal journey.

If you're fascinated by the idea of a road trip, you might want to head out on this fairytale adventure in Southern California that will take you to all of the beautiful castles sprinkled about the region. It's another fun day out on the road you're sure to love!