Myself, wearing an Elvis tee holding a microphone in the studio.

Inside Sun Studio, the Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll

May 9, 2025, Leave a Comment on Inside Sun Studio, the Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll

Memphis is synomous with music, and often considered the birthplace of rock ‘n roll, specifically at Sun Studio, where we stopped in for a visit. The studio has a small store and cafe, and those taking the tour are ushered through a small museum, and later the studio itself. Music lover Sam Phillips opened Memphis…

Myself, standing outside the Bate's Motel, as Norman steps out of the office.

Hop Aboard a Glamor Tram for the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Studios Tour

May 15, 2024, 4 Comments

The movies and tourism go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly. The most movie centric tourist location in California is without a doubt Universal Studios, which this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of its famous Studio Tour. However, welcoming tourists has been part of Universal’s history for well over a hundred years. On…

Back view of myself wearing the Star Tours jacket with the attraction sign in the background.

Star Wars Nite at Disneyland

May 8, 2024, Leave a Comment on Star Wars Nite at Disneyland

Last week my friend Mel came to visit to celebrate her 40th birthday. A big Star Wars fan, her birthday fell close to one of the special Star Wars Nites at Disneyland. Some of you might recall that Patrick and I attended Sweethearts’ Nite in February, and Star Wars Nite is another one of the…

Myself, wearing a kerchief made like a slice of boysenberry pie, a purple velvet vest over a purple handkerchief print maxi dress, and purple shoes, sitting on the steps of a small yellow building.

A Slice of Boysenberry Festival

April 11, 2024, Leave a Comment on A Slice of Boysenberry Festival

Springtime means it’s Boysenberry Festival time at Knott’s Berry Farm! The berry that made Knott’s Berry Farm famous is being celebrated by being used as the key ingredient in dozens of delicious items. Whether you like sweet or savory, you’re bound to find something you love! It’s also the perfect excuse to come up with…

Patrick and I sitting in Herbie, the grey VW Bug from The Love Bug.

Sweethearts’ Nite at Disneyland

February 7, 2024, 1 Comment

In recent years Disneyland has started “after hours” separate ticked parties at the park known as “Disneyland After Dark” with various themes. While some of the themes change year to year, some have stuck around, such as Sweethearts’ Nite, an evening dedicated to love and friendship. Last year Minerva, one of my friends went, and…

An English cottage style complex with an arched gateway reads "The Jim Henson Company" and atop one building is a large statue of Kermit the Frog dressed in Charlie Chaplin's The Tramp outfit, of a black suit, bowler hat, and bamboo cane.

Over 100 years of Entertainment History at the Jim Henson Company Studio

November 28, 2023, 1 Comment

JUNE 2024 UPDATE: The Jim Henson Company has decided to sell and vacate the lot. Read more from The Wrap. MARCH 2024 UPDATE: The Studio is being bought by singer John Mayer, read more via Rolling Stone. What do Charlie Chaplin, Gram Parsons, and Kermit the Frog all have in common? They have all worked…

Myself, wearing a black cowboy hat, black Mexican Tourist jacket with green design, white peasant top, blue jeans, standing in front of the mission.

Retracing Zorro’s Escapades at Mission San Luis Rey

January 25, 2023, 4 Comments

Before we get going, I want to say that it is important to remember that the California missions have complicated histories. For some, they were and remain a place of peace, with memories of weddings and other life events, however, they also have a history of violence, slavery, and forced religious conversion, which aided in the…

Myself, wearing a red elf had, and mint green dress with red and white stripe accents, and a peppermint candy necklace, standing in front of a red door that features decor mixing the Fourth of July and Christmas.

Christmas in July at Santa’s Village

July 28, 2022, 4 Comments

My dad has many fond memories of Southern California in the 1950s and 60s, especially of its various amusement parks. One such was a theme park a little further out from the greater Los Angeles area than say Disneyland. Roughly 80 miles east of LA, nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains sits Santa’s Village, a…

Myself seated on the "Throne of Love" which is painted red and has gold designs around the edge and has various indicator lights reading options such as "Wild Thing, Adorable, Hot Stuff, Sizzling Hot, Hotsy Totsy, Lovable, Passionate, A Sweet Hart, Bombshell"

Revisiting the Coin-Op Delights of Musée Mécanique

July 5, 2022, 1 Comment

Fisherman’s Wharf is an icon of San Francisco, with both the hustle and bustle of the still active fishing community along side tourists who run in and out of the various restaurants, shops, and museums. Nestled next to the iconic Grotto restaurant is my favorite place in all of San Fransisco, Musée Mécanique, an astounding…

Myself, standing in front of the Calico bottle house.

Calico Ghost Town: From Silver Boom Town to Tourist Trap

April 20, 2022, 2 Comments

Between the glittering searchlights of Hollywood and the buzzing neon of Las Vegas sits the Mojave Desert, desolate, but with colorful rolling hills. Tucked into one of the hills just north of the fabled Route 66 sits the town of Calico, once a bustling silver mining town that has since turned into a tourist attraction.…