During our stay in Santa Cruz, we took a large group tour to the Mystery Spot. I hadn't actually heard of it before, but it's a popular destination for tourists visiting Santa Cruz.
I can't really explain it, but it's supposed to be a circular area that defies the laws of physics and gravity. You have to see it to understand, and even then you won't. It's essentially a bunch of optical illusions that can be explained, and while the tour confesses to this for some parts, it explains that the other visual oddities (no birds, weird trees, etc.) simply cannot be understood (and that many experts in various fields have tried).
I can't really explain it, but it's supposed to be a circular area that defies the laws of physics and gravity. You have to see it to understand, and even then you won't. It's essentially a bunch of optical illusions that can be explained, and while the tour confesses to this for some parts, it explains that the other visual oddities (no birds, weird trees, etc.) simply cannot be understood (and that many experts in various fields have tried).
According to our guide, arborists cannot explain the patterns of behavior for trees growing in the mystery spot. For example, why is this eucalyptus (center left) growing like a corkscrew?
I'm a little skeptical of some of their reasoning, but since I'm not a complete skeptic, it's fun to just imagine that this place really is a special exception to the laws of gravity. Seriously though, don't ruin the fun and take it for what it is. Just enjoy the spectacle.
My one complaint about the experience is that I couldn't get any good pictures! This isn't the fault of the tour, but it is an issue I had. Because all the angles are weird and the lighting was bad, I couldn't get the perspective or focus right. It's hard to appreciate the tilts and leaning in my pictures, but there are good examples if you look at the website gallery or do an image search.
Eucalyptus trees are supposed to be straight. Why do they lean?
My one complaint about the experience is that I couldn't get any good pictures! This isn't the fault of the tour, but it is an issue I had. Because all the angles are weird and the lighting was bad, I couldn't get the perspective or focus right. It's hard to appreciate the tilts and leaning in my pictures, but there are good examples if you look at the website gallery or do an image search.
Inside the mystery spot, the branches grow to one side, away from the sun.
The best part of the tour were the kids we went with. My cousins and our friends loved it. One family friend, a twelve-year-old, is hilarious and really curious. I've witnessed his amazement during magic shows, so I was expecting to see a similar awe-struck reaction here. Surprisingly, he was incredibly skeptical and raised his hand several times to offer his explanations. He also proposed a couple of theories of his own, which were incredibly amusing (but also thoughtful and not entirely unreasonable). I hope he stays this curious forever.
Tour guide impressing everyone...why does the cylindrical object roll up or stay still, instead of rolling down?
My family now claims that any weird occurrence must be the result of standing in another mystery spot. "Mystery spot!" has become our new exclamation. As I've stated before, we are weirdos.
Here it's obvious that the different angles distort perception.
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I definitely recommend a visit if you're in the area. Kids and adults will enjoy it and get to participate. There's a very short, but steep, uphill walk, and there is a house tour that can be disorienting/dizzying for some. My grandparents came with us (in their 70s/80s), and they were able to do it (I think my grandma felt a little odd at one point in the house). But they are also high-functioning and able to walk without assistance, so keep that in mind when bringing elderly. We made reservations because we had such a large group, but reservations are recommended anyway. Tickets are $6, parking is $5. We waited around before our tour to start (at least 15 mins), and I think, in general, a waiting time is typical. At the end of the tour, you can tip your guide as he/she passes out free bumper stickers. Everything you need to know is on the Mystery Spot website.
your santa cruz photos are making me so nostalgic - it's one of my favorite places on earth! thank you for sharing and for the trip down memory lane :)
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