For anyone that is a fan of visual anomalies that simply defy the laws of physics and gravity, I would definitely put the "Mystery Spot" in Santa Cruz, CA on anyone's bucket list of quirky and interesting things to do. I am a science enthusiast as this attraction has been on my radar for quite some time. Located in a secluded redwood forest amongst the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains, this very popular tourist destination was discovered back in 1939 while being officially opened to the general public in 1940. Since then, this wildly popular destination has brought thousands of people over the years while it officially became a designated a California Historical Landmark in 2014. After making reservations online through their website, https://www.mysteryspot.com (which is highly recommended), I came here during the afternoon on Friday 9/4/2026 for a 12:00pm reservation. The drive in was absolutely breathtaking, serene, and tranquil as the bright sun was shining through the redwoods. In case you're wondering, it is about a 40-minute drive (roughly 30 miles) south from San Jose as you can arrive here north from Granite Creek Rd or south from Branciforte Dr. The signs leading here are clearly visible while the dedicated parking lot makes it simple for anyone who's never ventured here before. My lady and I arrived around 11:45am as we were able to park, take some photos of the exterior grounds, and even checked out their gift shop. If you do plan on purchasing same day tickets, they sell for $12 (as of late-2026) and are available in the gift shop. In addition to the tickets, this is where you can purchase Mystery Spot clothing, mugs, magnets, keychains, books, and other various gifts. If you do plan on arriving extra early, there is also a 30-minute self-guided hiking trail where you can see the vast plant and animal life. While on the trail, you are gifted with a variety of beautiful redwood, oak, and eucalyptus trees. Best of all, this trail is opened year-round and even better, dogs are welcome as much of the trail is fairly simple. When our tour officially began, a group of about 20 of us were all greeted by Bonnie, one of the staff members that told us about the history behind the Mystery Spot. We walked up a fairly steep trail while demonstrating visual illusions that included balls rolling uphill, water pouring at an upward angle and people leaning farther than normally possible without falling down. Once we made our way into the actual Mystery Spot house, we all tested ourselves on a balancing beam when visually, we were leaning forward when in reality, we were on a leveled surface. All in all, the "Mystery Spot" is absolutely worth checking out if you're into science and how visually distorted illusions are represented. Especially when our senses feel more heavy and weighed down. To be honest, I haven't been to a place like this since I was a kid visiting the Exploratorium in San Francisco. For some, this is something I do not recommend for the more sensitive groups that suffer from vertigo and dizziness. However, my experience was one that was absolutely fascinating. With the overall experience, amazing tour (which lasted around 45 minutes), and enjoying this history of this, I am giving the "Mystery Spot" in Santa Cruz a perfect five-star rating. read more

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We visited during covid times and had made reservations in advance, it was fun to check out and walk the area plus hike nearby! if you wait the day of, it may be hard to get in as this place has gotten popular over the decades. Good for everyone to check out as its a fun little spot plenty of parking read more

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We made reservations for our tour two weeks in advance. Knowing it would be busy over Labor Day weekend. There was plenty of reservations but spots do fill up and while walk ups are allowed. You might not get a spot until end of the day. If you try to get it the day of. We showed up 20 minutes early and I'm glad we did. We had a chance to park our car, walk around the gift shop, use the bathrooms and just be ready for our tour. According to the website you will show an attendant your ticket at the gate and pay $5 for parking. When we arrived we just parked and got in line for the reservation window to check in and pay our $5 parking fee. We weren't required to put the receipt on our dashboard or anything like that. The gift shop had a lot of fun gifts and some inexpensive snacks like $3 popcorn and $2 churros. We were able to buy a fun souvenir magnet. But the mystery spot bumper sticker is a great souvenir, given at the end of the tour for free. As for the tour. Someone asked us if they could bring their stroller as we were walking out. We don't recommend it. You will hike up a small cement paved hill. And in the house which is the "mystery spot" you can't bring a stroller in. I actually just wouldn't recommend bringing your baby in there. Just being inside for a brief few minutes throws off your equilibrium, possible nausea and light headed ness. No worries though. You can stay inside for as little or as long as you like. The tour allows for exploration around the house and plenty of time for picture taking. Our tour guide, I can't remember his name. He was pleasant and it's clear he was handed a script with lots of corny jokes. But we laughed and had a good time. There was a mix of small children, and even someone that had to walk with a cane. They made it to the mystery spot which was great. It's doable just with an incline. It's about a 45 min tour. The verdict, is this a cool place or a gimmick? While it's gimmicky, it's recognized as an official historical site in California and thousands and thousands of people come visit from all over the world. Gimmick or not, you got to experience it for yourself. It's truly mind boggling that gravity is being pulled in a different direction here and I've never experienced anything like it. read more

After living here for so long I've finally got to go to the mystery spot. Definitely an interesting experience. read more

Mystery Spot - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Always a great time! We visit with out of state friends on the way to the Boardwalk! Definitely worth a stop for an hour of fun! Great for kids, tweens and teens! Everyone in our group had fun. Are you even a Bay Area native if you don't have a bumper sticker in your house? Great price and value! Recommend going early in the day, and getting tickets in advance. read more

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Listen guys, I consider myself to be a man of science--someone who follows evidence-based information. Considering that I work as a registered nurse, my day-to-day is entirely focused on doing things that are scientifically proven to help others. That being said, The Mystery Spot completely blew my mind. With everything I understand about physics and gravity, nothing made sense here. The moment you enter the "cabin" they built, your mind starts to play tricks on you and it feels like something is fundamentally off. I spend a lot of time on the trails and normally never get nauseous, even when hiking or climbing at high altitudes, but this one spot in the cabin completely threw my cochlear balance off. I am super impressed with the plethora of Dad jokes. Thanks Malikai! This Mystery Spot left me wanting to know more about this phenomenon. It is wild to think about--how can gravity feel so incredibly different in just one tiny spot, while the rest of the world follows the rules? Just one tiny spot throws you completely off balance. Highly recommend checking it out! read more

Mystery Spot - Are you slanted or is everything else slanted? - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Awesome place to visit in the Santa Cruz Mountains! If you're from the Bay Area, you have to visit the Mystery Spot at least once in your life. Such a fun and unique experience, and my kids absolutely loved it! Definitely book early if you can, as tickets can fill up quickly. Highly recommend! read more

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While I was on vacation in California, I had the chance to visit The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, and it was definitely one of the most unique experiences of the trip! I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but walking through the tilted house and experiencing all of the optical illusions was so much fun. My sense of balance was completely thrown off, and yes, I got a little dizzy! It really makes you question what you're seeing. Whether it's science, illusion, or just a clever design, it's an experience I'll never forget. If you're ever in the Santa Cruz area, I definitely recommend checking it out. It was something different, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to experience it while I was on vacation! read more

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I only know about this place because I've randomly seen the "Mystery Spot" bumper sticker on cars for the last 10-15 years. These stickers are given out for free at the end of the tour. Talk about good marketing. I wasn't sure what to expect when I arrived, but after experiencing it I can only say it's just alright. Only because I know what's going on. However, I do think this is fun for kids and they'll get a kick out of everything that's going on here. So for that, 4 stars. read more

I love things like this, we had to check it out while passing through Santa Cruz. The seating area is beautiful. It makes the wait time pleasant. The guide we had (Bonnie) did a good job keeping it entertaining & explaining the history. read more

I just have to give a HUGE shoutout to our tour guide, Cassidy! It was already funny and kind of meant to be because my daughter with me is also named Cassidy, but she really made the whole experience special. She had such a bubbly, playful personality and kept the energy up the entire time. She was cracking jokes, making everyone laugh and just had a way of making the group feel comfortable and engaged. You can tell she genuinely enjoys what she does and it made a big difference. The tour itself is on the shorter side which was about 30 minutes and the area isn't huge, which explains the lower ticket price, but honestly it was still a fun little experience. She gave us a heads up about possibly feeling dizzy or nauseous, and I actually did feel that way in the cabin, which was wild to experience firsthand. Overall, it's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area, and if you can, I'd absolutely recommend asking for Cassidy because she's what really makes it memorable! Thank you Cassidy! read more

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Went on a tour Saturday. P.S. *get your tickets online* it gets busy! I arrived late and was fortunate enough to get added to the next available tour! The staff is so friendly and helpful throughout my time there. Tour Guide Nora was Amazing! Super funny and informative, it was first time visiting the mystery spot And she went above and beyond for the entire group tour! Highly recommend this place to anyone looking to explore and experience something so unique,exciting & unbelievable to say the least. S/O Nora for taking a great photo for me ! read more

Mystery Spot - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

When my husband suggested we go here while in Santa Cruz I didn't really see the appeal. But let me tell you it was so much fun and so cool to see this mysterious place. I mean how can you stand straight but appear to be leaning? How does a ball roll backwards? How does water run in reverse? I really enjoyed myself and think it's totally worth your time and money to visit this spot read more

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A fun, quick tour to go with family, with the well-loved souvenir bumper sticker at the ended! The gift shop was super appealing, as well, with some fun interactive sticker and coin vending machines outside in the waiting area. Would definitely recommend hiking the small trail near the parking lot after. read more

Mystery Spot - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

It's a place to check out with the kids I would say but anyone could enjoy the mystery as well. We didn't get to do the mystery walking trail but the tour was good. Our tour guide said from the start that she was going to tell a lot of dad jokes, which she did. It's a really steep walk but I was able to manage it even being disabled with a cane. I used the railing I wished we had more time to take pictures but our group was big and took up most of the time, even when our tour guide asked to please be quick so others can have the chance. We did go on a Saturday morning. While we waited for our time slot, we looked around the gift shop which is where you can also get something to eat and drink. There is a ton of table seating. 4 unisex restrooms Some of the people there had visited this place more than once. It was our first time I would think if I would come back here would be with a different group of people. Parking lot was full but when tours end spaces open up sooner than later. read more

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Fun for all ages, this is a place that you should visit at one time or another. I've grown up seeing the bumper stickers all over and so finally I made my first visit! Tucked away in the hills, you feel like you're going to a retreat site. I'd highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance, as when we went on a Saturday around 1:30pm (we had reserved tickets), the next opening for 2 tickets was like 5pm! We arrived a little early and browsed the gift shop and snack area, which is pretty small. Soon our time for the tour began. The tour itself isn't long but it is hosted and the guide has a ton of corny/punny jokes (kind of like the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland) and it is very interactive. It's definitely a trip to see some of the gravity defying stuff! Likely a one and done for us, but it was memorable to visit. read more

What a fun experience! Our tour guide Owen was so full of character and enthusiasm!! He made the time of finding mysteries so fun for all ages! read more

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We have lived here for years and never ventured to Mystery Spot. It was such a great day for a little hike in the woods and to enjoy the mystery of Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz. The tour guides are lively and make the little adventure extremely fun. They throw in a little humor as you explore the woods and set up. We especially enjoyed the climbing and experiments with our tour. If you are looking for a little outing when friends are in town, this makes for an enjoyable afternoon. The added bonus is you cannot beat the setting surrounded by redwoods! read more

Mystery Spot - Mystery Spot participant - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

We went here in March 2026. We enjoyed our tour and I would highly recommend it if you're into quirky places to visit in Santa Cruz. Owen our tour guide was super friendly & when I asked questions that weren't part of his spiel he was able to answer them. Very friendly & personable young man! read more

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I've always wanted to find out what the mystery was with this spot. I'm glad we were able to purchase tickets beforehand. We had no idea that we were supposed to arrive early, because of course, I didn't thoroughly read the email, so we got there right at our appointment time. The group was already starting, so luckily the staff at the counter was understanding and let us slide in. It was my 9-year-old's birthday trip to Santa Cruz and he thoroughly enjoyed it and so did we! The actual house or cabin at the top was really small, the experience was great and interactive. Being in the woods felt so refreshing and the whole scene was breathtaking. We went around Halloween time, so the decor also brought a great touch to the area. It's definitely worth checking out once. We had fun in the gift shop as well. read more

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A very cool and mysterious spot--hence the name! We visited during Labor Day Weekend and booked the 10 AM timeslot online (highly recommend grabbing an early ticket). The experience is a guided tour, which makes sense once you're there, given the unique nature and limited space of the location. Tickets are $10 (totally worth it), and parking is $5. There's also a small coffee shop and a souvenir/gift shop with some really neat items. Overall, a fun and memorable stop! read more

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We had such a fun time at Mystery Spot! We explored the slanted little cabin, though the rain definitely made it a bit more slippery and added to the adventure. Our tour guide, Isabella, was absolutely awesome! She was funny, full of energy, and made the whole experience even more entertaining and memorable. read more

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Mystery Spot was honestly way more fun than I expected. The whole experience really comes down to the guide, and ours was AMAZING -- super interactive, funny, and kept the energy up the entire time. They explained everything in a way that made it entertaining while still letting you just enjoy how weird and mind-bending the place is. The tour itself is really unique, with all the optical illusions and gravity-defying moments that make you question what's going on. It's one of those places where you end up laughing and taking way more photos than you planned because everything feels so unexpected. What stood out most was how engaging the guide made it--it never felt boring or scripted. You can tell they enjoy what they do, and that really makes the experience memorable. Best for: Friends, families, or anyone looking for something different and fun in Santa Cruz. Easy 5 stars for me--super interactive, fun, and definitely worth doing at least once. read more

Mystery Spot - so cool! - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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We went to the mystery spot. We missed our group because they didn't call it over the intercom so we had to come back three hours later. We ended up just staying there. We did the tour. It was fun quick not much to see. The souvenir shop was a hit. My son ended up buying two plushy's a bracelet and a mood ring, and that concluded our day there. read more

Mystery Spot - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

This was my first time here. I didn't expect it to actually be a mystery. We brought our whole family for summer vacation. I think it is very interesting. Understanding the history behind it and our tour guide was great. She was funny, knowledgeable, and friendly at the end of the tour, we did receive a mystery spot sticker for free. Our kids enjoyed this place and I do recommended to any of those who have never been and it is cheap to do as a attraction for families. Heads up there is no signal in the mountains here. read more

I always see the mystery spot bumper stickers and it peaked my interest. We were in the area celebrating hub's bday and stopped by. They were sold out for the next few hours so we decided to return the next day. I made reservations online. $10/pp plus $5 parking. Leo was our guide. He cracked a bunch of lame but funny jokes. The little shack did get me ‍ for a while. So be prepared for that. But it was cool to see how we leaned at such an angle! Took some cool pix. Glad to have finally checked this spot out. read more

Mystery Spot - Leo the guide - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Visiting the Mystery Spot has always been something on my bucket list after a trip to the Boardwalk. The drive up to the spot is extremely picturesque. Once you get to the entrance, the road is very narrow, though there are signs saying it's a 2-lane road. I think it would be helpful if there was an employee posted at each end of the street to tell people to stop and wait for the cars to get out/ come in, etc. Although we came on a Monday, since it's July, the tours get full very quickly. You can purchase online, where it will tell you how many people are currently registered for the tour, or you can take your chances purchasing in person. Since we purchased in person, we had to wait 1.5 hours until the next available tour group. If you enjoy hiking, I suggest arriving early to go on the self-lead hiking trail first. Staff say it can take 30-45 minutes in total to complete, we were able to finish in 20 minutes, but it is a very steep trail. Some portions are narrow, so it may be difficult to pass when other people are walking in the opposite direction. After our hike, we took photos at the photo spots by the entrance and purchased an ice cream at the gift shop for $3. By the time we were done with our hike at 3pm, the snack shack was already closed. Now for the tour, to get to the top of the hill, it is also a very steep slope. The site FAQ does warn that it may be difficult for people with limited physical abilities, but I didn't notice any signage at the venue with that warning. Going inside the main attraction can make you dizzy and nauseous, so that's why I recommend doing the hike first, because I know I wouldn't have been able to do it after the tour. The guide gives the group limited time to take photos in the mystery house, but because there is no line or limit to how many photos one group can take, you may not have time to get a photo for yourself. At the end, everyone gets a complimentary Mystery Spot sticker. Overall, I enjoyed the experience. read more

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The best time!! I hope Sebastian still works there (or not, as a Hollywood Producer might have snatched him up by now!). We have him in our family home movie, but we would never forget him. He said if you didn't enjoy his tour, his name was Eric, ha!! I hope he gets a raise or on to an Oscar or Broadway. Thank you for such a fun afternoon! (A good tip is to hang on to the arm of the person next to you. Hopefully, you know them). read more

I was wondering how Mystery Spot could have tours every 12 minutes, and now that I've been there, I fully understand. IT ROCKS! I want to go again! Anyone who comes into town, I'm going to take them! Haha. The tours are led by very vivacious guides. Our group had "Andy", who was entertaining and enthusiastic. The tour takes you up a hill to see a cabin. You literally make a few stops outside and inside the 2 "room" cabin, and that's it. And that's 40-45 minutes. Most of it comprises of a show and tell type thing with demonstrations that require audience participation so be prepared to be called to help, especially if you are short, tall, or wear glasses (or so it seems - haha). It was loads of fun, and totally worth the $10/person and $5/car price tag. Be sure to check out the store. It has so many random (yet surprisingly relevant to the Mystery Spot) items, which are fun to look at. There are a few picnic tables and a small hiking trail there as well for those who want to make a day of it. There are definitely mysterious things that occur at the Mystery Spot, but one thing is for sure, and that is, my group had a FABULOUS time! *** TIPS *** 1. Wear sneakers because you'll be walking up and down a steep hill! Those who wore sandals and flip flops struggled. 2. Reserve your tickets online to make sure you have a spot at your preferred tour time. When you check in, go to the small wooden ticket booth-looking hut through the entrance way from the parking area. There, they will ask you to pay for parking and give you a slip that shows you've paid. Then you'll wait for your group number to be called before entering.] read more

Mystery Spot - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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I'm not sure what to think about this place, but my 6 year old thought it was one of the coolest places we've been on our trip to Santa Cruz and keeps talking about it. I would make reservations as soon as you can, I picked a date a few days after Christmas and all the spots were almost filled up. We did the 1st tour at 10am and they advised us to come 30 mins early, if you do the 1st tour you can probably show up around 9:50am. I felt the tour was just about right, not too short and not too long. I don't think we'll go back again, but it was one of those do it once! The staff there were great, one caught a few banana slugs for us to see, which was a cool treat. read more

Great tour guide kept us engaged and entertained, even with little kids in tow. A fun and affordable stop for tourists and locals alike, plus a free bumper sticker at the end of the tour. read more

Mystery Spot - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Did a Christmas Day adventure here and we all loved it! Our tour guide-wish I remembered/caught his name-was soooooo delightfully charming and extremely hilarious. Tbh he's the reason why this place was so fun! I included his photo in my review so fingers crossed he'll be your tour guide as well. Will you figure out the mystery of Mystery Spot? Leave feeling mysterious..... there's also several restroom stalls, a cute covered patio area, info on banana slugs, and a pretty nifty gift shop that my nieces got plushies from and my mom and I magnets. read more

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This is a tourist attraction that has stood the test of time. A novel experience which you wish there was more of. The food selection is terrible too. read more

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The mystery spot is tucked away in the gorgeous spot in the woods. I love their little sitting area to relax while you wait for your tour time, and the gift shop was fun to look through as well. The waiting area and the bathrooms were kept clean, and the weather was just right when we went. The drive into/out of this spot can be a little sketchy in certain spots depending on how big your vehicle is as some spots of the road are a bit narrow for two cars to be going side by side. This was a fun spot to visit with my family, our tour guide was energetic and did a great job. The Mystery spot itself is neat, it was pretty crazy to see the demonstrations because they really do seem to defy gravity and how you perceive what is 'normal'. I honestly can not remember how long the tour was, but it was a decent amount of time and they allow you enough time to take some fun photos. This spot is not handicap or stroller friendly. The slope up to the little shack which is the mystery spot is quite steep and with the slanted angles your ankles/body will be in while walking through the shack will be hard on certain people. read more

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The Mystery Spot is a must go! It's a cheap thrill and only takes about an hour. We all had a great time and the kids (7 & 9) were amazed! They kept thanking us for bringing them to this spot. A perfect spot to squeeze in a bit more family fun. I will leave it up to you to answer the following question: Is it an actual phenomenon, an old alien landing space, a bit of real magic, an optical illusion??!! read more

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We came to the Mystery Spot for the first time today. I've always seen the bumper stickers and never been. It was definitely interesting. It was crazy to see how far you could lean within the mystery spot. Our tour guide was Leo and he was great. We enjoyed his "dad" jokes. Its definitely something to see if you are in the area. The tour itself is about half hour. It does involve some steep uphill pathways. I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance on their website. They do state tours sell out quickly, we witnessed some walk ups get told the next tour with openings for their party of 5 was 5 hours from the current tome. We did about half of the hiking trail after the tour - which has quite an incline. Be ware it is highly populated with poison oak. Overall this was a great experience and definitely something to experience. read more

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We visited the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, and my wife bought our tickets in advance. The tour was interesting and fun -- the water even looked like it flowed upward, which amazed the kids. Some improvements: The check‑in line was confusing, with one staff member handling two windows. A single‑line system or an iPad check‑in would make things smoother. Walk‑in customers trying to buy tickets also blocked our check‑in time. Someone even cut in line even though their tour time was after 12:00 PM, while ours was 10:20 AM. Check‑in should follow tour times. The time inside the tilted house also felt too short -- many visitors want a moment to take photos. Overall, it was a unique experience, but the check‑in process could definitely be improved. read more

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This place is by far the best experience I've ever encountered in my life time. If you've never been, this is a must see adventure for the entire family. Definitely a phenomenal and extraordinary place. Thanks for the memories. read more

Mystery Spot - Sebastian the perfect tour guide. Needs to be an actor. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

The last time I was here was about 20 years ago and then the last time before that was almost 30 years ago. It was great to be back after all these years. Great to know that this place is still around and going strong after all these years. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon. Fortunately the weather was sunny that day. The parking is easy and accessible in the big parking lot. The nice location is in a dense forest area with a lot of tall redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains. Upon entering, the landmark Mystery Spot entrance sign was still standing tall. There was a cool gift shop with so much merchandise and memorabilia everywhere. It is convenient that snacks and drinks are also sold in a snack bar area. We made online reservations which is recommended. It appears that they have multiple tours going on simultaneously all day. Our tour guide was friendly and had dad jokes for days. She did a good job explaining the mystique and history of the Mystery Spot. It was nice to see the crooked house is still maintained after all these years as well. Overall we just enjoyed our experience at the Mystery Spot. It was amazing and nostalgic to revisit and bring the family this time around. After all these years they still give a complimentary bumper sticker to everyone. read more

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The Mystery Spot is a cute little place and definitely messes with your senses and perception. Very optical illusion and makes you think. They have a cute gift shop with a bunch of different things and seating areas for people to sit and eat food. They have a lot of cute decorations for Halloween that are pretty cool. Our guide, Electra was cool and funny. She kept us laughing with interactive games and her dad jokes were hilarious. They also have a little hiking trail that is nice and pretty. There are some areas were a little slippery due to the leaves but not bad. read more

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