Just off Highway 1 up the coast from Santa Cruz lies The Artichoke Capital of the World, Castroville, California. Supplying the U.S. with 75% of its artichokes, this small farming town takes its favorite vegetable very serious. Artichoke references abound yet one particular monument is the ultimate testament.

Located between The Giant Artichoke restaurant and a fruit stand sits an enormous 20-foot steel artichoke. If only it were real... imagine the guacamole you could make!? Mmmmmmmmm...