Myself, wearing a white halter top with red polka dots, and red shorts, holding a red and white In-N-Out cup, standing in front of the replica of the first In-N-Out.

A Visit to the First In-N-Out…Well Sort Of.

August 11, 2021, 4 Comments

When it comes to California history, there is certainly a lot. One aspect of California history that has become a staple of American life is fast food. Yes, one could argue that fast food started right here in Southern California, and while not typically viewed as “important” history, fast food is certainly a cultural phenomenon…

A white washed statue of Jesus with his hands raised, on the base in black text reads "Desert Christ Park."

The Larger than Life Sculptures of Desert Christ Park

July 28, 2021, 2 Comments

In the hills of California’s high desert sits an odd sight, a collection of massive, white washed statues of Jesus and his followers, including a ginormous interpretation of the Last Supper. Known as Desert Christ Park, the small area was the dream of one man, brought to life by another in the 1950s. While I’m…

Myself, wearing a blue peasant top with a bandana print on it, a red skirt with "76" in white scattered throughout, and white shoes, standing in front of an old New England style building.

A Walk through Old Boston…in Southern California!?

July 8, 2021, 5 Comments

While we spent July 3rd at the International Printing Museum, for the actual Independence Day holiday we spent the evening at home with vaccinated friends and watching both Disneyland and neighbors’ fireworks. Amid the pandemic I’ve been exploring a lot of our nearby parks, and over the last year I was introduced to Heritage Park…

Exterior of the Aztec, a teal painted structure with various Mayan influenced designs along the corners, edges, and doorways.

A Look Inside the Strange and Haunted Aztec Hotel of Route 66

July 1, 2021, 9 Comments

Sitting along Foothill Boulevard in Monrovia is what a first glance appears to be some sort of ancient temple, but upon further inspection, it’s actually a hotel, the Aztec Hotel. Last week Patrick and I joined other curious visitors for a tour of this Route 66 oddity, hosted by Craig Owens of Bizarre Los Angeles.…

Myself, holding a chocolate donut, standing in front of The Donut Hole.

A Drive Through the Kitsch-tastic Donut Hole

June 22, 2021, 3 Comments

When it comes to architecture I’m of course a sucker for a good mid-century modern, art deco, and even Victorian, but perhaps my favorite style is programmatic architecture, aka “California Crazy” because it’s just plain fun! There are other terms for this style as well, including vernacular and mimetic architecture. This is where a…

Side of the car wash, with a blue banner featuring a yellow Dale car and text reading "Manager's Special Free Wash Tell 'Em Liz Sent You."

Stepping Back in Time at the Lady and the Dale Car Wash

February 18, 2021, 2 Comments

Back in the mid-1970s America was facing an oil crisis, and one woman, Liz Carmichael, stepped up claiming she had the answer – the Dale, a three-wheeled car that got 70 miles to the gallon. But was it all it was cracked up to be? Some didn’t think so, and eventually Liz found herself in…

A massive sign of Fred Flintstone and and sign reading "Yabba Dabba Doo Means Welcome to You!"

A Visit to the Stone Age at Arizona’s Bedrock City Before it Becomes History

September 12, 2019, 6 Comments

July 2022 Update: The new owners have decided to keep Bedrock City open indefinitely! Visit their website for up-to-date information. Just a few miles south of the Grand Canyon is a place where you can, at least for a few more weeks, step into the fanciful past of the Flintstones, the modern stone age family.…

Myself walking through the pathways of the Zoro Garden, which features short rock walls, and lush plants around.

Remembering Balboa Park’s Nudist Colony at the Zoro Garden

July 22, 2019, 4 Comments

One of my favorite places in San Diego is Balboa Park. The sprawling park features fanciful architecture housing a plethora of museums, plus multiple gardens. One such garden is the Zoro Garden, which is tucked away behind a leaf covered wall, and shaded beneath massive trees. When I first gazed upon it I wouldn’t have…

Catherine ducks under the cover of her camera to take my portrait. .

Meet Catherine Segura, the Young Woman Who is Keeping Tintype Photography Alive

July 17, 2019, 3 Comments

When you walk into Old Town San Diego, you instantly feel like you’re transported to the past. And if you’re lucky enough to be there on a weekend, then you can have a truly unique and transporting experience by visiting Catherine and her father, Clement, who do tintype portraits on the porch of the Cosmopolitan.…

Myself standing with the Cyclone Racer Bridge in the background, wearing a t-shirt with a female sunbather and the Cyclone Racer in the background, and red shorts.

The Rise and Fall of the Long Beach Pike

June 20, 2019, 38 Comments

Towering above shops like H&M, Forever 21, and The Gap is what appears to be a rollercoaster, yet no cars race by, and no screams of riders can be heard. Upon closer inspection, it is no rollercoaster, just bridge built to look like one. But, why? Let’s take a trip back in time, all the…

Atomic Redhead

Bizarre & Unique

A Visit to the First In-N-Out…Well Sort Of.

The Larger than Life Sculptures of Desert Christ Park

A Walk through Old Boston…in Southern California!?

A Look Inside the Strange and Haunted Aztec Hotel of Route 66

A Drive Through the Kitsch-tastic Donut Hole

Stepping Back in Time at the Lady and the Dale Car Wash

A Visit to the Stone Age at Arizona’s Bedrock City Before it Becomes History

Remembering Balboa Park’s Nudist Colony at the Zoro Garden

Meet Catherine Segura, the Young Woman Who is Keeping Tintype Photography Alive

The Rise and Fall of the Long Beach Pike