The Incredible Automotive Museum built by a Cosmetics Empire

April 12, 2022, 2 Comments

Sometimes I go somewhere and I am just so knocked on my feet I’m not even sure where to begin to share it with you. This is the case for the Nethercutt Museum and Collection. In fact, this place is so massive it’s actually receiving two blog posts! The Nethercutt is probably best known as…

A Bite of Hot Dog History at the First Wienerschnitzel

March 24, 2022, 2 Comments

Driving down Pacific Coast Highway, this small, yet vibrant red and yellow building may not catch your eye, and if it does you may just write it off as one of the many Wienerschnitzel locations scattered across California, but this is in fact the first Wienerschnitzel! Unlike a similar hot dog counterpart (coughHotDogOnAStickcough), Wienerschnitzel has valued…

Myself standing in front of massive mural featuring a train, bridge, broken down car, and Spike, the cartoon beagle brother to Snoopy.

A Visit to Needles, Home to Spike and the Remains of a Grand Train Depot

March 15, 2022, 3 Comments

Before Interstate 40 arrived through the southwest, there was Route 66, and before that the railroad. And if you traveled any of them to California, Needles was that first city to welcome you to the Golden State. The connection to Route 66 makes Needles proud of its history, but there is much more, much of…

Myself, wearing a black cowboy hat, a Koffin Kats tee, and black pants, standing in front of a large banner reading "40 Years of Fear The Evil Dead" featuring the Deadite version of Cheryl.

Cult Classic Evil Dead Celebrates 40 Years with Exhibit at the Mystic Museum

September 23, 2021, 3 Comments

Longtime readers of the blog will know I’m a big Bruce Campbell fan, so when I heard that Burbank’s Mystic Museum was planning an Evil Dead exhibit, I was extremely excited and couldn’t wait to visit! The Mystic Museum spawned from the vintage and oddities shop, The Bearded Lady, and has offered a rotating exhibit…

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 white t-shirt with a bald eagle holding a bell with text reading "Bi-Centennial 1776-1976 Proclaim Liberty thruout the Land" standing near a variety of antique printing presses

Independence Day Celebration at the International Printing Museum

July 6, 2021, 2 Comments

For Christmas last year I got Patrick a membership to the International Printing Museum. Honestly I think museum memberships make for brilliant gifts, but I digress. Because of his membership we received a postcard advertising their Independence Day Celebration on July 3, and it sounded like the perfect way to spend part of the Fourth…

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, 2 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, wearing a cream straw cowboy hat, yellow shirt red text reading "Red Dog California Cold Beer Restaurant Cocktails Good Vibes" and featuring a woman diving into a martini glass, and jean shorts, standing on a bridge over a small stream, surrounded by a variety of green plants.

The Fairy-esque Wonderland of Ferndell Trail

June 24, 2021, 1 Comment

Griffith Park is perhaps one of Los Angeles’ greatest tourist attractions, as it has so much to offer. From museums to the observatory to the Hollywood sign and the miles of trails it has for pedestrians, equestrians, and cyclists, there is something for everyone. And while there are miles of trails, perhaps the most enchanting…

Atomic Redhead

unique places to visit in California

The Incredible Automotive Museum built by a Cosmetics Empire

A Bite of Hot Dog History at the First Wienerschnitzel

A Visit to Needles, Home to Spike and the Remains of a Grand Train Depot

Cult Classic Evil Dead Celebrates 40 Years with Exhibit at the Mystic Museum

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

Independence Day Celebration at the International Printing Museum

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

The Fairy-esque Wonderland of Ferndell Trail