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.…

Overall view of the lunch counter. The counter runs along the left side, sweeping across the back. Black and white checkered floor allows for table seating with red formica topped tables and red and chrome chairs. A red stripe runs across the wall with red neon above. Framed Coca-Cola ads line the upper, cream portion of the wall, a large circular Coca-Cola sign sits on the back wall.

Inside the Last Operating Woolworth’s Lunch Counter

September 21, 2021, 1 Comment

For some the name Woolworth’s can bring back fond memories of a tasty cheeseburger and a 5 cent Coke while seated at a lunch counter, perhaps after shopping for deals at the famed “Five & Dime.” In Bakersfield, you can still have that experience, although for a wee bit more than five and ten cents,…

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, 2 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 black cowboy hat, black tee reading "Bounty Law" and jean shorts, leaning against a large sign reading "The Red Dog" in large red letters.

The Red Dog, the Saloon that Once Served Trigger right at the Bar

June 8, 2021, 1 Comment

When I first went to Pioneertown in 2014 with my dad, we wondered through a desolate western town where the only activity was dirt blowing across the street. Completely devoid of people, we peeked through the windows here and there, windows of legitimate businesses, though closed, and faux ones with pun based names such as…

Myself seated in front of the faux orange stand.

Tracing California’s Orange Roots at the Citrus State Historic Park

February 6, 2020, 7 Comments

The orange is one of the most iconic things about California. Southern California’s climate makes it a perfect place to grow citrus, and thanks to advances in irrigation, processing, transportation, and the addition of the Washington navel orange, California’s citrus industry boomed in the late 1800s, as oranges and their citrus cousins made for California’s…

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

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. This is Bedrock City. This colorful town isn’t from the stone age, but actually 1972, and was built in Valle,…

A large wooden roller coaster painted white stretches toward a blue sky. A white sign with black letters reading "Belmont Park" is attached to the coaster.

Riding Southern California’s Oldest Rollercoaster at Belmont Park

July 19, 2019, 3 Comments

San Diego really has a lot to offer when it comes to history. Many regard San Diego as the birthplace of California, as it is home to the first Spanish Mission and many more historic locations. It is also home to southern California’s oldest rollercoaster, the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park, built in 1925. I…

The Whaley House, a small, but stately looking home made of brick featuring a white column porch.

Gallows, Ghosts, and Paved Over Graves: A Visit to San Diego’s Whaley House

July 15, 2019, Leave a Comment on Gallows, Ghosts, and Paved Over Graves: A Visit to San Diego’s Whaley House

On a September day in 1852 James “Yankee Jim” Robinson was taken from an adobe jail to the gallows. Standing upon a wagon, a noose was placed around his neck. When the order was given, the wagon driver pulled away, and Yankee Jim reportedly kept his feet on the wagon as long as possible, but…

Myself standing in front of the blacksmith shop, where a giant prickly pear cactus resides, wearing a black dress with silver trim.

How One Book Saved Old Town San Diego

July 11, 2019, 6 Comments

After checking in to the Cosmopolitan, we explored Old Town for a bit, going in and out of the various museums and shops this unique state park has to offer. Old Town San Diego State Park is made up of a variety of authentic buildings from the 19th century and early 20th century, along with…

Atomic Redhead

unique destinations

Calico Ghost Town: From Silver Boom Town to Tourist Trap

Inside the Last Operating Woolworth’s Lunch Counter

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

The Larger than Life Sculptures of Desert Christ Park

The Red Dog, the Saloon that Once Served Trigger right at the Bar

Tracing California’s Orange Roots at the Citrus State Historic Park

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

Riding Southern California’s Oldest Rollercoaster at Belmont Park

Gallows, Ghosts, and Paved Over Graves: A Visit to San Diego’s Whaley House

How One Book Saved Old Town San Diego