View of myself on the porch of our room.

Our First Visit to the Kitschtastic Madonna Inn

September 20, 2023, 2 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, Leave a Comment on The Munch Box: A 1950s Chatsworth Icon

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…

Large bulb and neon sign reading "Golden Gate" across the side of the hotel.

Golden Gate: Las Vegas’ Oldest Hotel & Casino

June 12, 2023, 1 Comment

With a wide variety of places to stay in Las Vegas, it can be difficult to choose, but I do love history, so we opted to stay in Vegas’ oldest operating hotel and casino, the Golden Gate. Back in 1906 Las Vegas was a nothing town in the middle of the desert, a train stop…

Myself standing in front of the Silver Queen portrait.

A Night at the Silver Queen, Virginia City’s Oldest Hotel

June 1, 2023, Leave a Comment on A Night at the Silver Queen, Virginia City’s Oldest Hotel

When it came to finding a place to stay in Virginia City, I decided we should hang our hats at the town’s oldest operating hotel, the Silver Queen. Built in 1876, the Silver Queen is dubbed such for its towering 16 foot portrait of a woman wearing a dress made up of 3,261 genuine silver…

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 light brown cowboy hat, pink and yellow floral top, squash blossom necklace with green stones, blue jeans, carrying suitcases up to the green trim French doors.

The Olympic Legacy of Palm Springs’ Oldest Hotel

March 15, 2023, 1 Comment

Resting in the shadows of the San Jacinto Mountains sits the eclectic complex known as Casa Cody, said to be Palm Springs’ oldest and longest continually operating hotel. This unique hotel has an interesting history, but perhaps its gold medal winning room is its vintage Olympic Village cottage. Unless you are one of the greatest…

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…

Atomic Redhead

Sleep & Eat

Our First Visit to the Kitschtastic Madonna Inn

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

The Munch Box: A 1950s Chatsworth Icon

Golden Gate: Las Vegas’ Oldest Hotel & Casino

A Night at the Silver Queen, Virginia City’s Oldest Hotel

Celebrating my Birthday at the Infamous Chateau Marmont

The Olympic Legacy of Palm Springs’ Oldest Hotel

Flying High at the Copper Room

Gorgeous Streamline Moderne Firestone turned Brew Pub

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