Found a cool discussion on /r/musictheory about why "California Dreamin'" sounds so haunting. https://www.reddit.com/r/musictheory/comments/2g8jfb/what_is_it_about_california_dreamin_by_the_mamas/#bottom-comments Learned two things:

- It was recorded in the same studio (same room, even) where Pet Sounds was recorded
- It's in C#m but also in the Aeolian mode which I think really lends to the "haunting" quality. You can especially hear it in the flute solo (see vid).