The far-out West

When pondering the West -- that unwieldy stretch of U.S. soil from Texas to the Pacific Northwest -- travelers tend to flash on archetypes -- the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Hollywood, Monument Valley, Vegas, the Alamo, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Hearst Castle. But the West is also an expanse of weirdness and wonder, boasting bizarre and purely sublime enticements, both natural and man-made. So, if you find some sojourning time this summer, consider these hidden (or at least, often-overlooked) gems.

ARIZONA

The Painted Desert: The Grand Canyon may be the big kahuna of canyons, but to the southeast is an often overlooked site that is a kahuna in its own right: northern Arizona's colorfully striated badlands, a 93,500-acre work of earthen art whose smoky tones come from Chinle formation rocks. Includes a 27-mile drive that's best to do at or before sunset. www.arizona-leisure.com/painted-desert.html.

Bonus encounter: The stunning Petrified Forest National Park -- the only national park to protect and encompass parts of Route 66 -- includes Indian petroglyphs and the Agate House, built from petrified wood by native tribes. (928) 524-6228. www.nps.gov/pefo.

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CALIFORNIA

The Musee Mecanique: An old-school San Francisco treat. This wonderfully campy nostalgia museum contains one of the world's largest collections of antique arcade games, player pianos, funky mechanized figures and other coin-operated diversions. The museum, now off Fisherman's Wharf, was located below the Cliff House until 2002. On Pier 45, Shed A, off Embarcardero at the end of Taylor Street. (415) 346-2000, www.museemechanique.org. Free.

Devils Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Lakes: This bizarre formation in the southern Sierra is 60 feet tall. The narrow rock columns were formed about 100,000 years ago from cooling lava, then eroded by glacial movement. (760) 934-2289, www.nps.gov/depo.

San Diego Harbor Tour: Everyone will love the harbor tour. Take a full bay jaunt and learn about naval stations and the ships the Midway and the Star of India; catch waves from massive military tankers entering the bay; and get close-ups of the Shelter Islands, the Coronado Bridge and other attractions. On Hornblower Cruises. (619) 686-8715, www.sandiegoharbortours.com. $18 adults, one hour.