View of myself on the porch of our room.

Our First Visit to the Kitschtastic Madonna Inn

September 20, 2023, 3 Comments

For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to stay at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Since its opening in 1958, this sprawling complex has become iconic, beloved by generation after generation. And recently Patrick and I had the perfect excuse to stay there, as I was in a wedding in…

Overall, angled view of the Baskin Robbins, with its pink roof and palm trees out front.

A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

August 16, 2023, Leave a Comment on A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

Amid a plethora of auto body shops stands a bubblegum pink A-frame building, at first glance someone could mistake it for a life size version of Barbie’s ski shop mistakenly plopped near LAX instead of the mountains of Mammoth. But you won’t find Barbie here, this is a Baskin-Robbin’s and it’s said to be the…

Myself standing outside of the bright yellow and red Munch Box building, wearing a white shirt with a clown marionette on it and text reading "From Hollywood Bob Baker's Marionettes" and red shorts with yellow pockets.

The Munch Box: A 1950s Chatsworth Icon

July 19, 2023, 1 Comment

Just past the railroad tracks of Chatsworth sits a small bright yellow burger stand, The Munch Box. This tiny walk-up has been serving Chatsworth locals and others since 1956. Today the ketchup and mustard colored building continues to be family owned and operated. When The Munch Box opened in 1956 it made root beer on…

Recreating Gram's GP cover, myself seated in a chair, wearing a jean jacket, black tee, striped pants, and black boots. Behind are arched alcoves with gold fabric hanging in them.

Celebrating my Birthday at the Infamous Chateau Marmont

April 26, 2023, 8 Comments

For my birthday this year Patrick and I spent the weekend at the famed Chateau Marmont. While the Chateau has become a well known for a variety of reasons, for me it’s important because it’s one more place linked to my favorite musician, Gram Parsons. Built to resemble a French chateau, Chateau Marmont looms alluring…

Myself, wearing a brown hat, blue jean jacket, tee featuring a desert landscape, tan corduroy pants, and dark brown boots, standing in front of the Copper Room.

Flying High at the Copper Room

December 8, 2022, 2 Comments

Just a few blocks off of Highway 62, (the highway that takes you to Joshua Tree National Park) is the Yucca Valley Airport, a small, hobbyist style airport catering to those in the high desert. Attached is the quaint, but delightful Copper Room, which was once frequented by one of my favorite musicians, Gram Parsons.…

Gorgeous Streamline Moderne Firestone turned Brew Pub

August 31, 2022, Leave a Comment on Gorgeous Streamline Moderne Firestone turned Brew Pub

Driving down La Brea in Los Angeles you may pass by a beautiful streamline moderne Firestone station, complete with its iconic bowtie neon sign standing tall over the streetlights, but don’t expect to get your tires replaced here. Instead you’ll find beer and tacos, this is All Season Brewing Company. Built in 1937, and dubbed…

Overall view of the house, which is a small white Victorian with white gingerbread details, and elements painted in red and dark blue.

Grab Some Pie at Charlie’s Cute House from Top Gun

August 10, 2022, Leave a Comment on Grab Some Pie at Charlie’s Cute House from Top Gun

Do you feel the need? The need for…nope, not speed! Pie! Yes, I said pie! Not speed! Just a few feet from Oceanside’s pier sits a small blue and white Victorian home, almost enveloped, Up style, by a gleaming hotel, this is The Famous High Pie. Originally built in 1887, the home was once known…

Myself, wearing a light blue shirt with rainbow script reading "93/KHJ Boss 30" and red and yellow corduroy shorts, standing in front of the massive hot dog shaped building.

Eating a Little Hot Dog at a Giant Hot Dog! The Return of Tail o’ the Pup

July 26, 2022, 1 Comment

It has graced book covers, it has been seen featured on the big and small screen, it has been visited by celebrities like Betty White, Sigourney Weaver, and the band Devo, just to name a few. What is it? It’s a 17 foot long hot dog stand, dubbed Tail o’ the Pup, one of the…

A waist up shot of me standing in front of Heinold's wearing a tan cowboy hat, floral cowboy shirt, and yellow tie with a horse on it.

Grab a Drink at Oakland’s Oldest Bar, Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon

July 12, 2022, 3 Comments

Resting on the banks of the Oakland Estuary sit a pair of buildings that look like they have been plucked from a wild west set; a small wooden saloon and an even smaller log cabin, making for an odd vignette among the taller glass and steel structures, railroad tracks, and sailboats. The saloon, dubbed Heinold’s…

Myself standing in front of a slate gray sign reading "Schulz" wearing a jean jacket, a blue shirt featuring Woodstock on the beach, and tan corduroys.

Happiness Is…Visiting the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Warm Puppy Cafe

June 22, 2022, 4 Comments

There is something so incredibly charming about the comics page of the newspaper. Here, in the middle of politics, tragedy, and change, are rows and rows of little boxes, each telling their very own story. Growing up I loved turning to this page and following the lives of the characters in Stone Soup, Luann, Zits,…

Atomic Redhead

Eat & Drink

Our First Visit to the Kitschtastic Madonna Inn

A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

The Munch Box: A 1950s Chatsworth Icon

Celebrating my Birthday at the Infamous Chateau Marmont

Flying High at the Copper Room

Gorgeous Streamline Moderne Firestone turned Brew Pub

Grab Some Pie at Charlie’s Cute House from Top Gun

Eating a Little Hot Dog at a Giant Hot Dog! The Return of Tail o’ the Pup

Grab a Drink at Oakland’s Oldest Bar, Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon

Happiness Is…Visiting the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Warm Puppy Cafe