"Camera Obscura, Santa Monica. Given to the city in 1907, this giant pin-hole camera lets you watch the beachfront outside “live” from inside a pitch-black room. Using a periscope, it projects the palm trees, activity on the beach and, sadly, the traffic onto an oval white screen. Mirrors reflect images from 360 degrees, with the image guided by an old captain's wheel. It’s a cool, nostalgic thing to do while walking around palisades park or the pier. Go on a crisp, sunny day for the best images."