Cult classics: the faded glory of California's fringe sects – in pictures

Fifty years after a golden age for the spiritual groups, many have disbanded. But pockets remain throughout the state

Half a century ago, you could barely walk down the street in California without tripping over some kind of fringe spiritual sect or cult-like group. Pretty much every famous organization, guru, and spiritual trend of that era had ties to the Golden state - from the Maharishi to the People's Temple, the Moonies" to the New Age.

Now, with the exception of some Scientology buildings and the occasional Hare Krishna devotee, you almost never encounter fringe spiritual groups from that California golden age.